Watch your back, your personal info might be out there, FREE!

[jojo54]

Hope this isn't a dupe thread, just saw it on the WCAU 10 station in the PA area. Zaba Search has taken records from all states (records that are free) and compiled them onto one website.

YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE # AND BIRTH DATE COULD BE THERE. Here's the WCAU story:
http://www.nbc10.com/consumeralert/4390284/detail.html

Here's the Zaba website: http://www.zabasearch.com

If you go to the bottom of the page under Terms & Conditions, it will explain how you can be removed from the website. This is a dangerous site folks. My father and my mother-in-law are there, along with their address', phone #s' and birth dates'. This is a perfect set-up for burglars, home repair scams, stalking etc.

Be careful!

[southlandshari]

1. Zabasearch

There is indeed a darker side to the story on Zabasearch. Run a google on them. Here are just two of the less positive links that came up in top ten:


http://www.blogsocool.com/93.html

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff138783.htm


Interesting!

[jojo54]

3. It smelled fishy right from the start.

This is the kind of crap that totally conter effects the bankruptcy bill. If Bushco doesn't do anything about this, and someone gets their identity stolen from this website, I hope they sue the Fed Government in retaliation.

[FreedomAngel82]

6. Something interesting

is I didn't see myself on there. Does it only work if you have credit cards and stuff? Cause I don't have any.

[SmokingJacket]

34. Yeah, I bet they got the info from cc companies.

My sister's old address is on there, from years ago when she had credit cards, but not her current one.

[LatePeriduct]

2. Holy disgusting invasion of privacy batman...

There are several websites outside now......distributing people's private addresses and phone numbers.


fourth reich movement is really ugly terms.

[jojo54]

4. One troubling thing from this report on the news was

the owners of the website said that even if you write to have your info removed, they still can't guarantee that it won't show up again. This is truely disgusting.

[mountainvue]

5. Good God, my name address and DOB

are on that site. How in the hell did they get that information?

[kcass1954]

7. Mine too, but there are errors.

They show 2 addresses for me where I've never lived. (One was owned by my mother-in-law until 4 years ago, and the other is my sister-in-law's current address, but I've never lived with either of them.)

They also show that my brother-in-law and niece have resided at my current address, which is not correct. I guess this would explain why I'm getting their junk mail.

And apparently my ex has lived at my address as well. (Not even a remote possibility - I know everywhere that he's lived since 1975.) I'm getting junk mail for him too.

What's really interesting is that when I enter my previous married name, I come up with my current mother-in-law's address.

[LatePeriduct]

8. I'm guessing the data collection companies sold it to them

They get all that information from these so called statewide register systems, where they house everything including your social security number.

If you asked me, I'd say there were plotting to keep tabs on anyone who so mentions the word votergate. If they are though, then this war has truly gotten perverse.

Beware of a new website called the WATR, I have now direct experience with this.....They are publishing and moving people's real names and addresses all over the globe, to every type of group you can possibly think of.

[Benno]

9. Well..

I sure as hell was on there, along with alot of my family. Looked up several friends that appeared on there too. It listed most of my previous addresses, date of birth, phone number and such.

[jojo54]

10. Beware

I just wanted to keep this going into the daytime crowd. This is serious crap, your privacy is out there for all to see. I just saw this morning that universities in Illinois are removing students SS number from their ID cards. Smart move!

[matcom]

11. the only way to get off is via SNAIL MAIL?

:wtf:

[RebelOne]

15. No, you send them your e-mail address and then

they said that they would send you info on how to add, edit or delete information.

[matcom]

20. yeah. VIA SNAIL MAIL!

go ahead send them your email. THEN read what they send you

[RebelOne]

22. Doesn't matter whether it's snail mail.

I am still going to write them and demand that they remove my information.

[jojo54]

24. Keep a copy for your own records....

being's they have all YOUR private records! Let's blast 'em out of the water!

[RebelOne]

12. I think they get the initial names from phone records.

I am listed there under my maiden name. And that's hoe my phone is listed. I don't have any credit cards or anything else under that name except birth certificate or school records.

[jojo54]

14. The report says that all this info is public knowledge for the

taking. It's just that most people don't know this and don't know how to get it. I think you have to go to the public library or municipal offices but like I said, most people don't know this. I just think this leaves a lot of innocent people open to scams and such and that's just wrong.

[notadmblnd]

13. Why do these people get our information free?

Everytime I've had to go to the county courthouse to get information either about me or someone else, I've had to pay for it.

[notadmblnd]

16. according to their e-mail, here's how you get off the list

We received your request. The following is the fastest way to create, edit or delete your records in ZabaSearch. ZabaTools allow you to take control of the information available about you or to manage how you allow others to communicate with you. You can create, edit, delete your record or add a ZabaLink all for free.

Why create a record? If you don't exist in ZabaSearch and would like to be included.

Why edit a record? If you are in ZabaSearch, but would like to update your information. Or, add your e-mail address or your web site URL to your record.

Why delete a record?** If you want to remove your address and/or telephone number

Add a free ZabaLink! Instead of deleting a record, consider replacing your address and/or telephone number with a ZabaLink*.

**If someone finds and clicks your ZabaLink (placed where your address or telephone number was), they will come to an e-mail form that will allow them to send a message to you without knowing your e-mail address, where you are, or if you ever even received the message. You can either respond, ignore, or send back a non-delivery notice. ZabaLinks empower you to control how people can communicate with you on the Internet. You can be found, only if you want to be on a person by person basis. And, ZabaLinks are free!

In order to create, edit, delete your record and/or to add a ZabaLink, all for free, you must make that request in writing and mail it to: ZabaTools, 820 Park Row, #658, Salinas, CA 93901. Receiving requests by mail allows us to verify and process requests quickly. Records created, edited and ZabaLinks added may take up to several weeks to appear in ZabaSearch. Records requested to be deleted are typically processed the next business day after receiving the request. You will be notified by e-mail when you request enters our system and then once more when the requested records have been adjusted. Please specify if you want to create, edit, delete a record and/or add a free ZabaLink, e-mail address or url to your record. If you add a free ZabaLink, please include the e-mail address where you would like messages blindly forwarded to from your ZabaLink.

In order to fill your request your letter must contain the following information to insure we create, edit or delete the correct records. After you confirm by e-mail that we processed your request, your letter and the information you provided in it will be shredded. You will have created a record for yourself just as you like it and will be eventually given online tools to adjust your information as you like live in ZabaSearch 24/7.

1. E-mail address
2. Full name including middle initial
3. Address of the record you wish to create, edit or delete
4. Phone number you wish to have removed
5. Year of birth.
6. Specifiy if you are requeting to create, edit or delete a record or if you want to add a ZabaLink or URL to your
record.
7. Sign and date your request

[jojo54]

18. Well, sure!

They create the problem and we have to spend the time, energy and money to resolve it.

Sounds like a Repug backed issue to me. See reply # 1.

[supernova]

17. I'm there ... Rats

but I can't click on any of the information. :wtf:

There are 5 other people with my same name in the US, that are on Zaba, but they sure do have me, my DOB, my current address and telephone.

I can even pull up a sat photo of my brother's place, it's around the corner from me.

They have every address for my sister from at least 10 years.

This is very creepy, plus the fact that you can't really get off it.

[jojo54]

19. Like I said in the original thread

I don't like the fact that my fathers' infor is there for all to see, and my mothers in law has already been the victim of a scam once. I'm going to look up everyone I know and make them aware of this.

Make sure you keep a copy of your letter and check the website again in a few months. If they don't remove info on everyone who has requested it, maybe a class action law suit will get the site removed for good.

[EFerrari]

21. I think the best thing to do is, bombard them with information.

Information is only any good if it's particular.

If they have too much, they have nada.

[Window]

23. Damn!

I'm not listed, but my family and friends are.

[MadHound]

25. Gee, more invasion of my privacy

Just what I need:eyes:

This is just outright BS. Nice to see that they're still bumbling around though. The info they have on me is fifteen years old, and while they have my sister's info correct, they don't have any trace of my mom's existence.

It is getting increasingly difficult to fly under the radar in this country, but it can still be done. It doesn't look like they're checking county platte books, just state and federal records. I think that if your name is on here, and the information is wrong, or outdated, I wouldn't bother to correct them, or have it deleted. They apparently want you to send them all of your current information, and don't guarantee that even if it is deleted now, it won't appear in the future. I think protesting to them will merely red flag your info, and they will make sure to get it correct next time.

I can see the possiblities for a lawsuit arising out of this, and I hope one does. An abusive ex, a stalker, etc. etc. these are all very real possiblities. If somebody is tracked down using this, I hope that the victim sues the shit out of these people.

[jojo54]

27. You've got a good point there

Maybe they are looking for new information by having you write in to delete your entry. That's something I hadn't considered. The original report on the news said the owners couldn't guarantee that the info wouldn't appear again. Bastards!

This is why I like DU so much, there is such a diverse population, with very diverse opinions and ideas.

[tnlefty]

32. Don't know about that. Part of my info. is incorrect but links to the

correct address - complete with satellite photo, correct phone number, etc.

I am pissed about this, but I am MAJOR LEAGUE pissed off that anyone could run a background check via the internet. No permission nor valid reason needed, but just sit at your computer and get background checks on people!!!! :wtf:

[elehhhhna]

26. VERY WEIRD-- I'm in there BUT the phone #

listed is a fake number I only use when placing SECURE orders for internet merchandise. How did they get THAT?

[Jose Diablo]

30. Evidently, one of the merchants you had business with

on that secure order sold your personal information. So much about only 'public' information like the site assures people.

The merchant probably in the fine print declares they MAY sell the information, thus the privacy is not really there.

But, it seems to me if the site is saying only public information is included, then wouldn't they be liable for wire fraud. Claiming information is only obtained from public sources when it is not, is fraud, especially if that information resulted in a loss through some scam or another (like identity theft).

[Samurai_Writer]

28. I don't know why everyone is getting so bent out of shape...

There are HUNDREDS of these websites, if not thousands. Why get upset with just this one? Also, even before the big, bad, internet, you could go to any local public library and look in the "city directory" which would list all this information and more. Geneaology researchers and adoption search volunteers have been using this stuff for years.

Your information is EVERYWHERE. Once it was started to be kept electronically, by anyone, anywhere, it was only a matter of time until this information was sold for marketing purposes. Which is how it gets on these information sites.

Personally, I am GLAD to see the information there. I have reunited hundreds of adoptees and birth family members using this type of site, and also ones that have drivers license, criminal record, voting record, professional licensing, and social security databases.

[jojo54]

29. Well, why haven't you posted a warning?? LOL

You made a good point and I understand that these sites can be beneficial, but with all the scams out there today, you know darn right well that someone will use a site like this to their advantage. It's already happened, yes, but why fuel the flames?

The sale of this information is what should be stopped. It violates the right to privacy amendment, IMHO.

[tnlefty]

33. One consents to having a listing in the city directory, or we do

here anyway. That listing doesn't show a satellite image of my house, nor can one just run a background check through the directory. I declined to be listed in the city directory, but my info. is on this site.

[lse7581011]

31. Beware of Virus!

Interestingly enough, I have visited this site twice and both times came away with a nasty trojan horse virus! BEWARE!