Fast Background Check Opt Out: How to Remove Your Personal Information

What Is FastBackgroundCheck and Why Should You Opt Out?

FastBackgroundCheck is a people search website that collects and displays personal information about millions of individuals. The site aggregates data from public records, social media profiles, telecom companies, and other data brokers to create detailed profiles that anyone can access for free.

When someone searches your name on FastBackgroundCheck, they can find your current and past addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, information about relatives, age, and even your social media profiles. The site receives approximately 3.8 million monthly visits with average session durations exceeding 15 minutes, which means your personal information has significant exposure to a large audience actively searching for people's data.

This matters for several reasons. Sales professionals, recruiters, and marketers often use these sites to find contact information-which is exactly why tools like our Background Checker exist. But when the tables turn and your own data is exposed, it creates privacy and security risks including identity theft, stalking, harassment, and targeted phishing attacks.

The data exposed on FastBackgroundCheck isn't limited to basic contact details. The platform provides comprehensive background reports that can include employment history, educational background, criminal records, court documents, property ownership, business affiliations, and family relationships. This level of detail makes it particularly concerning for individuals who value their privacy or work in sensitive positions.

Fast Background Check Opt Out: Step-by-Step Process

The good news is that opting out of FastBackgroundCheck is relatively straightforward and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Here's exactly how to do it:

Step 1: Navigate to the Opt-Out Page

Go to FastBackgroundCheck.com and scroll to the bottom of the homepage. Look for the "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" link in the footer. This is required under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which all data brokerages must comply with.

The CCPA mandate ensures that data brokers operating in California or collecting data on California residents must provide accessible opt-out mechanisms. Even if you don't live in California, you can typically use these same processes to request removal of your information.

Step 2: Start the Removal Process

Click the "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" link, then scroll to the "How to Opt Out" section and click the "Opt-out Form" link. Enter your email address, complete the CAPTCHA verification, check the agreement box, and click "Begin Removal Process".

Pro tip: Use a separate email address specifically for opt-out requests. This prevents these data broker sites from keeping and displaying your personal or business email. A disposable email works well here-just make sure to complete the process before it expires. Consider creating a dedicated privacy email address that you use solely for these types of requests across multiple data broker sites.

Step 3: Search for Your Record

After submitting your email, you'll need to locate your specific record. Enter your full name along with your city, state, and zip code. You can also search using your phone number or address if you have multiple records.

Once you find the right listing, click "free public records" to open your profile. Be careful to avoid search results sponsored by other people search sites-they will display "search" buttons instead of leading to your actual FastBackgroundCheck profile.

Step 4: Request Removal

When you find your listing in the search results, click on your name to open the full profile. Look for the red "Remove My Record" button underneath your name and location information. Click this button to initiate the removal request.

If you don't see the "Remove My Record" button when viewing your profile, your session may have expired. In this case, you'll need to return to the opt-out form beginning page and restart the procedure from Step 2. There is no other way to access this removal functionality.

Step 5: Confirm Via Email

Check your inbox for a confirmation email from FastBackgroundCheck. Click the blue "Click here to remove [your name]" button to verify your request. This confirmation link expires within 24 hours, so don't delay. If you don't see the email in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder.

The email verification step is crucial-your removal request will not be processed without clicking this confirmation link. This security measure ensures that only authorized individuals can remove records from the database.

Step 6: Wait for Processing

Your record should be removed within 72 hours of confirmation. However, legally, data brokers have up to 45 days to fully comply with removal requests. If your information is still visible after a week, clear your browser cache and check again.

During this waiting period, your profile may still appear in search results or cached versions. This is normal and doesn't indicate a problem with your removal request. Once the removal is complete, new searches should no longer display your information on FastBackgroundCheck.

Alternative Opt-Out Methods

If the standard online process doesn't work for you, FastBackgroundCheck offers additional removal options:

• Phone: Call customer service at (888) 747- . Have your full name, current address (as it appears on your report), and any other details from your listing ready.
• Mail: Send a written removal request to Pearl East Cir., Ste. 118, Boulder, CO 1-
• Contact Form: Use the website's contact form and select "How do I opt out of your site" from the dropdown menu

When using these methods, include all information that can help customer service representatives locate your listing, including any variations of your name that might appear. Be prepared to provide identifying information to verify your identity and ensure the correct record is removed.

The phone method can be particularly useful if you're having technical difficulties with the online form or if you have multiple complex listings that need to be addressed. Customer service representatives can often handle multiple records in a single call, saving you time if you've discovered several profiles under different name variations.

Understanding California's Delete Act and DROP Platform

The California Privacy Protection Agency launched a tool that state residents can use to make data brokers delete and stop selling their personal information. The system, known as the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform, or DROP, was mandated by the Delete Act passed in recent years.

Until now, privacy instructions had to be delivered to each data broker individually-not an easy feat, given that more than 500 brokers were registered in the state. The new system delivers privacy instructions to every registered broker at once.

Data brokers that have received consumer data deletion requests are now required to delete any new data collected about the consumer every 45 days. This represents a significant shift in how data broker opt-outs work, moving from one-time removals to ongoing monitoring and deletion obligations.

California's leadership in privacy protection has created ripple effects across the United States. Even if you don't live in California, many data brokers extend these same rights to all users to simplify their compliance processes. This means the protections created by California law may benefit you regardless of your location.

The DROP platform represents a major advancement in consumer privacy tools, consolidating what previously required dozens or hundreds of individual opt-out requests into a single submission. If you're a California resident, utilizing this platform should be a priority in your privacy protection strategy.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Sometimes the opt-out process doesn't go smoothly. Here are frequent issues and their solutions:

Your Information Reappears

This is one of the most frustrating aspects of data broker opt-outs. FastBackgroundCheck will add your information back to the site as it continues to scrape personal data from the internet. Remember to check regularly and repeat the opt-out process as needed.

It is possible for FastBackgroundCheck to collect your information again after you have already opted out. This can happen especially when any significant data such as your name, address, or phone number has changed and they cannot match the new data to your old record.

The solution is ongoing monitoring. Set a calendar reminder to check FastBackgroundCheck every month and repeat the opt-out process if your data reappears. You can also set up a Google Alert for your name to catch re-listings early. Creating a routine privacy audit-perhaps quarterly-can help you stay on top of your digital footprint across multiple platforms.

The Opt-Out Form Doesn't Submit

If you're getting error messages, try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers temporarily. The CAPTCHA verification can sometimes conflict with browser extensions, privacy tools, or VPN services that modify your connection.

Try these troubleshooting steps in order: clear your browser cache and cookies, disable browser extensions temporarily, try an incognito or private browsing window, switch to a different browser entirely (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), or temporarily disable your VPN if you're using one. Often, the CAPTCHA system requires certain browser features to function properly, and privacy-focused tools may inadvertently block these features.

Your Profile Still Shows in Google

Even after FastBackgroundCheck removes your data, cached copies may appear in Google search results for weeks. This is normal-Google's cache updates on its own schedule. You can request faster removal through Google's cache removal tool, but the listing will eventually disappear once the source page is gone.

To expedite removal from Google search results, you can use the "Remove outdated content" tool in Google Search Console. This won't force immediate removal, but it can speed up the process. Additionally, if the FastBackgroundCheck page about you still appears in search results but shows as removed or unavailable when clicked, Google will typically remove it from search results within a few days of discovering the page is gone.

You Have Multiple Listings

Many people discover they have several profiles on FastBackgroundCheck, often with slight variations like middle initials, maiden names, or old addresses. You'll need to opt out of each listing separately.

Common reasons for multiple listings include: using different name formats throughout your life (maiden name, married name, hyphenated names), living in multiple locations that each generated separate records, variations in how your name appears in different public records (with or without middle initial, shortened first names), and family members with similar names whose data got cross-referenced with yours.

When dealing with multiple listings, create a tracking spreadsheet to record each profile URL, the date you submitted the opt-out request, and when you confirmed removal. This organization will help you ensure no profiles slip through the cracks and provide documentation if you need to follow up with customer service.

Session Expiration Issues

One particularly frustrating technical issue occurs when your session expires during the opt-out process. If you take too long between steps-for example, if you spend several minutes reviewing your profile information before clicking the removal button-the system may time out.

To avoid this, work through the entire opt-out process in one sitting without long pauses. Have all your information ready before you begin, including your email address, full name as it appears in public records, current and previous addresses, and any other identifying information. Aim to complete the process from start to finish in under 10 minutes to avoid session timeouts.

FastBackgroundCheck Is Just the Beginning

Here's the reality that most opt-out guides don't emphasize enough: removing your data from FastBackgroundCheck is only one small step. There are hundreds of similar data broker sites that likely have your information, including Spokeo, FastPeopleSearch, Instant Checkmate, CheckPeople, and many more.

FastBackgroundCheck often acts as a redirection pathway to larger data brokers. This means you may need to opt out twice-once from FastBackgroundCheck and again from the original source that published your record. Data brokers frequently share and purchase information from each other, creating an interconnected web of personal data that regenerates even after removal.

If you're serious about privacy, you'll need to systematically work through all major people search sites. Some privacy experts recommend prioritizing these five categories:

• People search engines (Spokeo, BeenVerified, TruePeopleSearch)
• Background check sites (FastBackgroundCheck, Instant Checkmate)
• Public records aggregators (USA People Search, PeopleFinder)
• Phone lookup services (Whitepages, AnyWho)
• Address lookup sites (Radaris, Intelius)

This is where understanding what data is out there becomes valuable. Our free Background Checker can help you see what information is publicly accessible about you or others, giving you a clearer picture of your exposure. Running a search on yourself across various platforms can reveal surprising amounts of information you didn't know was public.

Creating a comprehensive privacy action plan involves identifying all sites where your information appears, prioritizing removal based on the sensitivity of exposed data, systematically submitting opt-out requests, and maintaining ongoing monitoring to catch re-listings. This process can take several hours spread across multiple sessions, but the privacy benefits are substantial.

Understanding How Your Data Gets Collected

To prevent future exposure, it helps to understand where sites like FastBackgroundCheck get their information:

• Public records: Voter registrations, property deeds, court records, marriage licenses, business filings, and professional licenses
• Credit bureaus and financial institutions: Basic identifying information that's shared under certain circumstances, including header data from credit reports
• Telecom companies: Subscriber lists including phone numbers and addresses from directory assistance databases
• Social media: Publicly available information from LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms where users share personal details
• Other data brokers: Sites frequently purchase and share data with each other, creating networks of information exchange
• Court records: Criminal records, civil litigation, divorce filings, bankruptcy proceedings, and small claims cases
• Property records: Real estate transactions, mortgage information, property tax assessments, and ownership history
• Business registrations: Secretary of State filings, business licenses, professional certifications, and corporate officer listings

Like most data brokers, FastBackgroundCheck gets personal information by scraping the internet. They use public records, social media sites, businesses, and other data brokers as sources of information.

Reducing your digital footprint means being more careful about what you share publicly online. Lock down your social media privacy settings, use a P.O. box for voter registration if your state allows it, and be selective about what personal information you provide to services and websites. Consider using different email addresses for different purposes-one for important accounts, one for shopping, and one for newsletter subscriptions.

Additional protective measures include: using privacy-focused search engines that don't track your activity, opting out of pre-screened credit offers to reduce data sharing by credit bureaus, being cautious about loyalty programs that collect extensive personal data, reading privacy policies before signing up for services, and using privacy tools like browser extensions that block trackers.

Should You Use an Automated Data Removal Service?

Given the sheer number of data broker sites, many people turn to paid data removal services that automate the opt-out process. These services typically cost between $100-200 per year and handle opt-outs across 100+ sites on your behalf.

The main advantages of these services are time savings and ongoing monitoring. These types of services automatically opts out of data broker sites for you. Plus, these types of services also send regular opt-out requests to make sure your data isn't republished.

However, if you only need to opt out of a few sites and don't mind occasional manual checks, doing it yourself is free and effective. The process outlined above for FastBackgroundCheck applies similarly to most people search sites-look for the privacy policy or "Do Not Sell My Information" link, complete their opt-out form, and confirm via email.

When evaluating data removal services, consider these factors: How many data broker sites do they cover? How frequently do they submit removal requests and monitor for re-listings? Do they provide reporting and confirmation of removals? What is their success rate? Do they offer customer support if issues arise? What happens if you cancel-do they continue monitoring or do removals expire?

Popular data removal services include Incogni, DeleteMe, Optery, and Kanary. Each has different pricing structures, coverage lists, and service levels. Some offer tiered pricing based on how many data brokers they monitor, while others provide unlimited coverage for a flat annual fee.

For most individuals, a hybrid approach works well: manually opt out of the major high-traffic sites like FastBackgroundCheck yourself, then consider a paid service for ongoing monitoring and handling the hundreds of smaller data brokers that would be too time-consuming to address individually.

For Sales Professionals: The Other Side of Background Data

If you're reading this article, you might be interested in background data from a professional angle. Sales teams, recruiters, and marketers legitimately need to find and verify contact information for business purposes.

That's exactly why we built Galadon. Our Email Finder helps you locate professional email addresses from names and companies. Our Mobile Number Finder tracks down direct phone numbers. And our Background Checker provides comprehensive reports with trust scores-useful for verifying prospects, vetting potential partners, or conducting due diligence.

The difference is intent and context. Using publicly available data for legitimate B2B outreach is standard practice. Using it to harass or stalk individuals is not. When you understand both sides of the equation-how to protect your own privacy while responsibly using data for business-you become a more effective and ethical professional.

Understanding privacy concerns makes you better at your job. When you know how invasive data collection can feel, you're more likely to approach prospects respectfully and use information appropriately. This awareness helps you build trust rather than appearing creepy or stalkerish in your outreach.

If you're using data for business purposes, consider these ethical guidelines: only use information for its intended business purpose, respect opt-out requests immediately, be transparent about how you found someone's information, don't use personal family information in business outreach, verify that your data sources are legitimate, and always provide clear opt-out mechanisms in your communications.

Our suite of free tools is designed for professionals who need accurate data while respecting privacy boundaries. The Email Verifier ensures you're not wasting time on invalid addresses. The Tech Stack Scraper helps you identify companies using specific technologies, making your targeting more precise. And the B2B Company Finder uses AI-powered analysis to help you identify your ideal target market.

The Future of Data Privacy Regulation

Privacy regulations are evolving rapidly. California's laws have inspired similar legislation in other states, and federal privacy legislation is regularly proposed. Understanding the regulatory landscape helps you anticipate future changes to how data brokers operate.

The California Privacy Protection Agency is creating a Data Broker Enforcement Strike Force within its Enforcement Division to investigate privacy violations by the data broker industry. This increased enforcement suggests that data brokers will face greater scrutiny and potentially stricter requirements in coming years.

Several states beyond California have implemented or are considering comprehensive privacy laws, including Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah. While each state's law differs in details, they generally provide consumers with rights to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of their personal information.

For individuals concerned about privacy, this regulatory trend is encouraging. As more states adopt strong privacy protections, data brokers will need to implement consistent policies rather than maintaining different practices for different states. This should make it easier for consumers to exercise their rights regardless of location.

However, regulatory compliance alone isn't sufficient for comprehensive privacy protection. Many data brokers operate in legal gray areas, and enforcement resources are limited. Individual action-like systematically opting out of data broker sites-remains important even as regulations improve.

Creating a Personal Privacy Protection Plan

Protecting your privacy requires ongoing attention rather than one-time action. Here's how to create a sustainable privacy protection plan:

Monthly tasks: Check the 5-10 highest-traffic data broker sites for your information, including FastBackgroundCheck, and re-submit opt-outs if needed. Review Google search results for your name to identify new exposures. Update privacy settings on social media accounts as platforms change their policies.

Quarterly tasks: Run a comprehensive search across all known data broker categories. Review and update your passwords, focusing on accounts that contain personal information. Audit apps and services that have access to your data and revoke unnecessary permissions. Check your credit reports for accuracy and signs of identity theft.

Annual tasks: Consider whether a paid data removal service would be cost-effective based on your time investment. Review your overall digital footprint and identify new privacy risks. Update your privacy protection plan based on new data broker sites or regulatory changes. Educate family members about privacy protection-their exposed information can sometimes lead back to you.

Document your privacy protection efforts in a simple spreadsheet or note-taking app. Track which sites you've opted out of, when you submitted requests, and when you last checked for re-listings. This documentation helps you maintain consistency and identify patterns in how your data is being collected and shared.

Final Thoughts on Protecting Your Privacy

Opting out of FastBackgroundCheck is a straightforward 15-minute process that significantly reduces your exposure on one of the more popular people search sites. But remember these key points:

• Your data can reappear after opting out, so plan on checking back monthly
• FastBackgroundCheck is just one of hundreds of similar sites
• Reducing your overall digital footprint helps prevent future exposure
• Automated removal services exist if you prefer a hands-off approach
• New privacy regulations are improving consumer protections but individual action remains important
• Understanding both sides of data usage-privacy protection and legitimate business needs-makes you more effective

Taking control of your personal information is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. But every opt-out request you submit makes you a little harder to find for bad actors-and that's worth the effort.

Privacy protection has become increasingly important as our lives move online and data collection becomes more sophisticated. The minor inconvenience of submitting opt-out requests and monitoring your digital footprint is far outweighed by the security benefits of reduced exposure to identity thieves, stalkers, and scammers.

Start today with FastBackgroundCheck, then systematically work through other major data broker sites. Your future self will thank you for the time invested in protecting your personal information. Remember, privacy isn't about having something to hide-it's about maintaining control over your personal narrative and protecting yourself from the very real risks of excessive data exposure.

If you're in the B2B space and need tools for professional contact discovery while respecting privacy boundaries, explore Galadon's suite of free tools. And if you want to take your sales game to the next level with expert guidance and proven frameworks, consider joining Galadon Gold for live coaching calls with sales experts and access to a community of practitioners who understand the balance between effective outreach and privacy respect.