What is PublicDataCheck and Why Your Data is There

PublicDataCheck is a data broker that aggregates and sells personal information collected from various public sources. The company compiles records including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and sometimes additional details like family relationships and property information. Understanding how your data ended up on PublicDataCheck is the first step toward removing it.

Data brokers like PublicDataCheck gather information from multiple sources, including:

Public records: Court documents, property records, and voter registration databases
Commercial transactions: Purchases and warranty registrations
Social media profiles: Publicly available information from various platforms
Data aggregators: Information purchased from other data brokers
Subscription services: Magazine subscriptions and online memberships

Your data likely appears on PublicDataCheck because it was legally available in the public domain or purchased from another source. While this is often legal, it doesn't mean you have to accept your personal information being sold to the highest bidder. Under privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar regulations, you have the right to request removal of your personal data from data brokers' databases.

Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Yourself from PublicDataCheck

The manual removal process from PublicDataCheck involves several steps. Here's exactly what you need to do:

Step 1: Visit the PublicDataCheck Website

Navigate to publicdatacheck.com and look for their opt-out or removal request page. Data brokers are required to provide a way for individuals to request removal of their information, though they often hide these options in less obvious locations.

Step 2: Find Your Listing

Use their search function to locate your profile. Enter your full name and any additional identifying information (address, phone number, or city). Write down the exact URL of your profile page and any reference numbers provided.

Step 3: Locate the Opt-Out Request Form

Look for links labeled:

"Remove my information"
"Privacy request"
"Opt-out"
"Do not sell my personal information"
"Data removal"

These are typically found in the footer of the website or in their privacy policy.

Step 4: Complete the Removal Request

Fill out the opt-out form with accurate information. You'll typically need to provide:

Full name
Current address
Email address
Phone number (if available)
Any profile URLs or reference numbers

Step 5: Verify Your Identity

PublicDataCheck may require identity verification before processing your request. This might involve:

Answering security questions about your personal history
Uploading a government-issued ID photo
Confirming information from your credit file
Clicking a verification link sent to your email

Step 6: Submit and Document

Submit your request and save or screenshot the confirmation page. Note the date of submission and any reference numbers provided. This documentation is important for follow-up if your removal doesn't process.

Step 7: Follow Up

Mark your calendar to check back in 30-45 days. Search for your name on PublicDataCheck again to verify the listing has been removed.

What Information Does PublicDataCheck Collect?

Understanding what data PublicDataCheck holds about you can help you identify what needs to be removed. The platform typically collects and displays:

Name variations: All known aliases, maiden names, or alternate names
Current and historical addresses: Every address on record, sometimes dating back years
Phone numbers: Both landline and mobile numbers associated with your name
Email addresses: Current and previous email accounts
Age and date of birth: Derived from public records
Family connections: Names of relatives and family members
Property information: Home ownership details and assessed values
Arrest records: Criminal history and mugshots (in some cases)
Bankruptcy filings: Financial history and court records
Professional licenses: Occupational information from state databases

This comprehensive data collection is why removing yourself from PublicDataCheck is important. The aggregation of all this information creates a detailed profile that could be misused for identity theft, stalking, harassment, or targeted scams.

How Long Does PublicDataCheck Removal Take?

The removal timeline varies depending on several factors:

Immediate to 24 hours: You'll typically receive confirmation that your request was received and is being processed.

3-7 business days: PublicDataCheck usually processes removal requests within this timeframe, though they may take up to 30 days.

30-45 days: Allow this full window before considering your removal unsuccessful. Some data brokers take the maximum allowable time to process requests.

Ongoing monitoring: Even after removal, your data may reappear if PublicDataCheck updates their database with new public records. You may need to submit removal requests periodically.

Several factors can affect removal speed:

Verification complexity: If identity verification is required, delays may occur
Request volume: High volumes of removal requests can slow processing
Data source updates: If new public records are added, your information may reappear
Weekend/holiday delays: Standard business day processing may extend timelines

How to Verify Your Removal from PublicDataCheck

After submitting your removal request, verification is crucial. Here's how to confirm your data has actually been removed:

Method 1: Direct Search

Return to publicdatacheck.com and search for your name using the same search parameters you used initially. Your profile should no longer appear in search results.

Method 2: Search Multiple Variations

Try different name variations:

Full name vs. first initial
Maiden name if applicable
Nickname variations
Middle name variations

Method 3: Check Associated Information

Search for your phone number or email address independently to ensure no profile appears under these identifiers.

Method 4: Request Removal Confirmation

Contact PublicDataCheck directly via email or phone to request written confirmation that your data has been removed. Keep this documentation for your records.

Method 5: Use a Privacy Scan Tool

Consider using GhostMyData's free scan to check if your information still appears on PublicDataCheck and other data brokers. This provides an independent verification of your removal status.

What If Your Data Reappears?

If your information reappears on PublicDataCheck after removal, submit another opt-out request. Data brokers often update their databases with new public records, which can cause previously removed information to resurface. Document each removal request and the dates submitted.

Preventing Future Listings on PublicDataCheck

Removing yourself from PublicDataCheck is important, but preventing future listings is equally valuable. Here are proactive steps to minimize your data footprint:

Limit Public Records

Opt out of voter registration: Contact your local election office to request removal from voter rolls
Protect property records: Some states allow homeowners to request address privacy protections
Court records: Understand that court documents are typically public, but you can request sealing in some cases
Suppress your phone number: Ask your phone provider about unlisted number options

Control Your Digital Presence

Adjust social media privacy settings: Make profiles private and limit what information is publicly visible
Remove old online profiles: Delete accounts on sites you no longer use
Opt out of data aggregators: Request removal from other data brokers and people search sites
Monitor your credit: Set up fraud alerts and credit freezes with the major credit bureaus

Manage Subscriptions and Registrations

Review warranty registrations: Don't provide unnecessary personal information during product registration
Be selective with subscriptions: Avoid sharing data with companies that sell to data brokers
Unsubscribe from marketing lists: Remove yourself from mailing lists and marketing databases
Decline data sharing: Opt out of data sharing options when making purchases

Consider Privacy Tools

Use privacy-focused email: Services like ProtonMail or temporary email addresses
Virtual phone numbers: Use apps that provide temporary phone numbers for online registrations
VPN services: Mask your IP address and location when browsing
Privacy-focused browsers: Use browsers that don't track your activity

The Easier Alternative: Automated Removal with GhostMyData

While the manual removal process is effective, it's also time-consuming and requires repeated effort as your data may reappear. This is where GhostMyData comes in.

GhostMyData is an automated data removal service that handles the entire process for you. Instead of manually submitting removal requests to dozens of data brokers, our service:

What GhostMyData Does

Scans all major data brokers: We identify where your personal information appears across hundreds of data brokers, including PublicDataCheck
Automates removal requests: We submit opt-out requests to each broker on your behalf
Handles verification: Our team manages identity verification requirements with each broker
Monitors continuously: We periodically rescan to detect if your data has reappeared
Resubmits as needed: If information resurfaces, we automatically resubmit removal requests

Why Choose Automated Removal

Time savings: What takes 20+ hours of manual work is completed in days by our service.

Comprehensive coverage: We remove your data from all major data brokers, not just PublicDataCheck.

Expert navigation: Our team understands each broker's specific removal process and requirements.

Ongoing protection: Continuous monitoring ensures your data stays removed, not just today but indefinitely.

Peace of mind: You'll receive regular reports showing your removal progress and verification of successful deletions.

Getting Started with GhostMyData

Start with a free scan: Use our free scan tool to see exactly where your data appears
Review your report: Get a detailed breakdown of which brokers have your information
Choose your plan: Select from our flexible pricing options based on your needs
Let us handle it: We manage the entire removal process while you enjoy your privacy

Learn more about how GhostMyData works and see how we compare to manual removal and other services in our data broker comparison guide.

FAQ: PublicDataCheck Removal Questions

How do I know if my information is on PublicDataCheck?

Visit publicdatacheck.com and use their search function to look for your name. If a profile appears with your personal information, your data is listed on their platform. You can also use GhostMyData's free scan to check PublicDataCheck and hundreds of other data brokers simultaneously.

Is it illegal for PublicDataCheck to have my information?

No, data brokers legally obtain information from public sources and other legal channels. However, under privacy laws like the CCPA (California), GDPR (Europe), and similar regulations in other states, you have the right to request removal of your personal data. PublicDataCheck must honor opt-out requests as required by law.

What if PublicDataCheck doesn't remove my information?

If your data remains after 45 days, follow up with a second removal request. If PublicDataCheck continues to ignore your removal request, you may file a complaint with your state's attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Under CCPA, you may also have grounds for legal action. Document all removal attempts and communications.

Will my information stay removed permanently?

Your information may reappear if PublicDataCheck updates their database with new public records. This is why ongoing monitoring is important. GhostMyData's continuous monitoring service ensures that if your data resurfaces, we automatically resubmit removal requests to keep you protected.

Can I remove my information from all data brokers at once?

Manual removal requires contacting each data broker individually, which is time-consuming. GhostMyData eliminates this burden by removing your information from all major data brokers simultaneously, including PublicDataCheck, and maintaining that removal over time.

Why does my information keep reappearing on data brokers?

Data brokers continuously update their databases with new public records, including voter registrations, property records, and court documents. Even after successful removal, your information may reappear when these databases are updated. This is why periodic monitoring and resubmission of removal requests is necessary for permanent privacy protection.

Take Control of Your Privacy Today

Your personal information is valuable, and you deserve to control how it's used. Removing yourself from PublicDataCheck is an important step toward reclaiming your privacy and protecting yourself from identity theft, stalking, and unwanted contact.

While you can manually submit a removal request to PublicDataCheck following the steps outlined above, remember that this only addresses one data broker. Your information likely appears on dozens of other platforms as well.

Don't waste weeks managing removal requests across multiple data brokers. Let GhostMyData handle your privacy comprehensively. Start with our free scan to see exactly where your data appears, then let our automated service remove your information from all major data brokers and keep it removed.

Your privacy matters. Protect it with GhostMyData.