Intelius, ussearch, dobsearch, and other information sources

[Arch]

Fifteen years ago, I changed my whole name--first, middle, and last.

About a year ago, I looked up my current name on Intelius and a few other such sites. One of them listed my birth name as one of my relatives. I was cool with that. The other thing that I thought was kind of nice was that I had the same last name as the people who owned the mailbox business where I received my mail--so they're listed as my relatives, whereas my own family is nowhere to be seen. I was happy with any development that didn't connect me with my family or that confused matters by treating my current name and birth name as two separate people.

I guess my past is finally catching up with me; now things have changed a bit. I see that a couple of these sites have my birth name listed as an alias or a possible alias. Intelius doesn't do this, but when I look up my birth name, by current name is listed as an alias. I figure that it's only a matter of time before the opposite is true--that when I look up my current name on Intelius, my birth name will be listed as an alias, just as it is on some of the other sites.

Obviously, I'm not particularly happy about this. I was thinking that I could fly under the radar with these sites/businesses forever. I suppose it's unlikely that anyone hostile to me will see the record and scream, "Transsexual!!!" But you never know, and I want my information to stay as private as possible.

So I'm wondering...have any of you noticed that your old name is listed as an alias on these sites? If so, have you ever bought the full record to find out what it says? I don't know what information is held in the records that you have to pay for. I mean, I know it won't be flagged "sex change" or anything like that, but what information IS there about these aliases and possible aliases?

[tekla]

The amount of information, and it's decimation, and it's availability was staggering back in the early 90s.  Now, it's omnipresent and ubiquitous, you can run, but there is no place to hide anymore unless you can find a way to crawl completely off the grid. 

[Radar]

I don't know about the sites you mentioned but a few other sites give you the option to have your info removed. I contacted a few sites and asked to be removed and they did remove me (at the time anyway).

Tekla's right though. One thousand years after we're dead you'll still be able to get our past info from the internet.

[Arch]

I don't know about the sites you mentioned but a few other sites give you the option to have your info removed.

I'll have to look into this. Thanks for the tip, Radar.

[Ann Onymous]

just remember that the more of the compiler sites that crop up and subsequently merge with each other, the likelihood of information becoming jumbled and less reliable. 

While I have been known to rely on some of the web-based sites when compiling a client background, I NEVER consider them to be definitive nor authoritative.   

Further, I would HIGHLY encourage people to get a copy of their Lexis PERSON report on at least a yearly basis.  That gives you a much better idea of what exists in public information land and what entities you might need to look to for correction/sealing/eliminating recorded information. 

That being said, even the information on Accurint and similar products has been known to be suspect. 

My guess is that those who have sought to transition in the past decade are going to find a greater array of stored information.  But, at least from the standpoint of government records, there is often a provision to at least mask personal identifiers (ie. SSN) that, in this case, link two names to the same person. 

[Arch]

just remember that the more of the compiler sites that crop up and subsequently merge with each other, the likelihood of information becoming jumbled and less reliable. 

So far, I think I'm seeing about a fifty-fifty mix here (of more accurate vs less accurate info over time), but it's hard to tell. When these services became available, I didn't perform comprehensive searches on both old and new names.

A lot of job applications and other forms only seem interested in a former name if you have used it within a certain number of years--I've seen ten years crop up again and again. Since I changed my name fifteen years ago, I don't feel that such questions apply to me, so I don't fill in those fields. But I do wonder what happens if my old name happens to come up and someone thinks it is significant, regardless of what the form or application is asking for.

So far, my old name does not come up as an alias when I search my new name on Intelius and other sites, but my new name comes up as an alias under my old name.

I'll look into the Lexis deal, though. It appears to be free.

[Ann Onymous]

A lot of job applications and other forms only seem interested in a former name if you have used it within a certain number of years--I've seen ten years crop up again and again. Since I changed my name fifteen years ago, I don't feel that such questions apply to me, so I don't fill in those fields. But I do wonder what happens if my old name happens to come up and someone thinks it is significant, regardless of what the form or application is asking for.

Remember that MOST prospective employers are running a quick criminal history and little else.  Unless one is going for government clearance, deeper searches are not the norm. 

Additionally, answer only the question posed.  I see this same discussion take place in a lot of C&F discussions related to Bar apps (often about disclosure of past law violations and not the name issue you pose, but the analogy remains the same).  There is no standard application and what flies in one jurisdiction may be very different from what another jurisdiction asks. 

So far, my old name does not come up as an alias when I search my new name on Intelius and other sites, but my new name comes up as an alias under my old name.

I'll look into the Lexis deal, though. It appears to be free.

Even if not free (although it should be as arguments exist to place Lexis under the umbrella of the FCRA), it should be no more than perhaps ten bucks. 

[tekla]

Remember that MOST prospective employers are running a quick criminal history

More are running credit checks then criminal histories.  Particularly if there is money involved.

[Ann Onymous]

Remember that MOST prospective employers are running a quick criminal history

More are running credit checks then criminal histories.  Particularly if there is money involved.

which can make it even LESS likely for past history on names to show up. 

Names are typically the easiest thing to get removed from a credit report. 

Even if one encountered problems or was not diligent in fixing their credit report, the basic background check will not generally involve a full factual (the one that goes back farther than seven years and six months).   

[Arch]

One of my three credit reports still had my old name listed. I think it was at the end of the document, though. And that was...well, maybe three years ago now. I suppose it's about time for me to get another round of credit reports.

[Arch]

I just ordered new reports, and, yep, Experian still lists my old name. Oh, well.

[Ann Onymous]

I just ordered new reports, and, yep, Experian still lists my old name. Oh, well.

You should be able to remedy that with a quick dispute.  Also, if it is related to a tradeline that has not been changed over, now would be hte time to do it since the update would then also get the name into a condition that is easier to remove. 

[Arch]

You should be able to remedy that with a quick dispute.  Also, if it is related to a tradeline that has not been changed over, now would be hte time to do it since the update would then also get the name into a condition that is easier to remove.

Hmm. I'm not sure on what grounds I could dispute it. Would I just tell them that I haven't used the name for fifteen years and it no longer applies? Or would I ask if that name is still connected to any credit cards that they have listed on my report, and then go change my name with those companies?

[xAndrewx]

I've been thinking a lot about this lately and looked myself up the other day. I can thankfully say that from the first glance my old name doesn't really show up anywhere and is not connected to my new name. I've not officially changed it yet and never used my old name for websites except for the "legal account info" that no one but the company sees.

I've been thinking when I change it that I will close any accounts and such in my legal name and open new ones elsewhere with my new name when possible to avoid things like that happening online but I'm wondering how well that will work. I hope you can contact companies like that to change it Arch

[Keroppi]

You should be able to remedy that with a quick dispute.  Also, if it is related to a tradeline that has not been changed over, now would be hte time to do it since the update would then also get the name into a condition that is easier to remove.

Hmm. I'm not sure on what grounds I could dispute it. Would I just tell them that I haven't used the name for fifteen years and it no longer applies? Or would I ask if that name is still connected to any credit cards that they have listed on my report, and then go change my name with those companies?

If you haven't used that name in 15 years, then there should not be any record or accounts that use that name still in your record. Are they listing it as "previously known as" that they've kept around?

Experian in the UK is happy to update their record to "change [all of] your account information into [your] new name" and "remove any link between [your] old and new names". Similar polices applies to the other two CRAs in the UK.

They might / should be able to do something similar in the US. You should contact them to ask for advice.

[Ann Onymous]

Hmm. I'm not sure on what grounds I could dispute it. Would I just tell them that I haven't used the name for fifteen years and it no longer applies? Or would I ask if that name is still connected to any credit cards that they have listed on my report, and then go change my name with those companies?

If you could not do it online, then they SHOULD disclose to you which tradelines the incorrect name is associated with.  You should NEVER say it is a name you no longer use as that cements it to the record.  Rather you just indicate that the report has incorrect information related to your name (and whatever other errors exist since reports tend not to be accurate). 

[sneakersjay]

Both Intelius and US search will allow your info to be blocked from display on their website.  Both require you mail them a request with proof of identity ie driver's license with pic and number crossed off. Read the fine print on the sites.  They do say that new info they get will show up, but hopefully your old name won't pop up again if you aren't using it.


Jay

[Radar]

just remember that the more of the compiler sites that crop up and subsequently merge with each other, the likelihood of information becoming jumbled and less reliable.

When I went to the sites mentioned in this thread they had aliases for me that were nowhere close as well as legit names. I know they were referring to me because they matched my address. So yeah, these things are a bit unreliable. I'm happy about that.

[Radar]

Names are typically the easiest thing to get removed from a credit report.

How do you do that? I contacted the 3 major credit report companies and had them change my name. They did but in some of the credit reports they also listed past names. Can I request for them to remove the aliases as well?

[Ann Onymous]

How do you do that? I contacted the 3 major credit report companies and had them change my name. They did but in some of the credit reports they also listed past names. Can I request for them to remove the aliases as well?

Make a simple written dispute that notes the incorrect information.  Make no reference to it being an old name.  It is incorrect and you are disputing in accordance with provisions of relevant state and federal law (most commonly the FCRA at the federal level). 

Also, do not forget about Innovis, a 4th player (minor but trying to become a major entity in the credit reporting market). 

There are web forums that are dedicated to credit issues.  They can provide a LOT of information about the various inaccuracies.  Situations related to names in this scenario will be outside of their norm, but I am sure there are plenty of people on those boards who were divorced and had a name changed and wanted a name or two removed from the report.