| | _____________________________________________________
| | What is sverify? | Sverify is an individual reference service, a company that provides information used to help identify and locate individuals.
Sverify provides information solutions for consumers and small
businesses using public records and publicly-available information. Our
products help people find other people, verify the identities of
individuals they encounter, manage risk and ensure personal safety.
Sverify is not a consumer credit reporting agency, and we do not compile mailing lists or consumer marketing data.
Additionally, we do not maintain any databases of non-public individual
financial data, such as individual credit reports, tax records,
employment information or bank information. Sverify also does not have
any individual's medical records, and Sverify does not collect or
distribute any information about race, religious preference, medical
history, lifestyle, political preference, or friends to any customers.
Finally, although Sverify does offer access to "white
pages" telephone directories, your telephone number is not available in
these databases if you have a non-published telephone number. | _____________________________________________________
| | How do Sverify customers use the data they obtain from sverify? Are there any restrictions on customers can use the data? | Our
customers are individuals and small businesses that use our data to
locate people and for personal security and risk management purposes.
Our customers use our information to locate distant relatives or old
friends as well as ex-spouses who are past-due on child support. They
also may verify the identity of individuals with whom they do business,
such as the owners of their day care facility or a seller of goods over
the Internet.
Our customers do have restrictions on how they can use our information.
Every Sverify customer enters into an agreement with Sverify that
restricts the customer's use of our data. Our customers agree to use
our data only for legal purposes, and they also agree not to use our
information in ways that might be harmful or embarrassing to others. Additionally,
because Sverify is not a consumer credit reporting agency, sverify
does not permit any of its customers to use it information in
connection with consumer credit transactions. Sverify also forbids its
customers from using its data for employee background checks, or
residential tenant screening.
Sverify takes these restrictions very seriously.
In the event we believe that a customer has misused our information, we
will address the matter and terminate the subscriber. Additionally, if
a customer uses our information in a criminal or harmful manner, we
will contact appropriate law enforcement agencies. Our customers agree
that we can disclose information about them and their searches to law
enforcement agencies in the event we suspect they have misused our
information. | _____________________________________________________
| | What kind of data does Sverify distribute? | sverify
provides online access to public records such as real estate deeds,
lawsuit filings, liens, professional licensing records, and other
information filed by individuals and businesses with local, state and
federal agencies.
Other
Sverify information includes publicly available data complied by third
parties from published telephone directories. Sverify is not a
consumer credit reporting agency, and we do not compile mailing lists
or consumer marketing data.
Additionally, we do not maintain any databases of non-public individual financial data, such as individual
credit reports, tax records, employment information or bank information.
Sverify also does not have any individual's medical records, and
Sverify does not collect or distribute any information about your
race, religious preference, medical history, lifestyle, political
preference or friends to any customers.
Finally, although Sverify does offer access to "white pages" telephone directories, your telephone number
is not
available in these databases if you have a non-published telephone
number. All of the information contained in our databases is available
from many other sources, such as the public records custodians and
private data compilers. For example, home addresses are available from
county land records, tax assessor files, and telephone directories.
Additionally, many companies retrieve and publish public records, and
many government agencies and private information vendors now make their
records available electronically and over the Internet. | _____________________________________________________
| | What's the difference between public records, publicly-available information, and non-public information? | These
terms refer to the source of the information. The following definitions
have been agreed upon by various information industry and government
groups:
Public Records are compiled by various public
offices and agencies with the intent and for the purpose of being made
publicly available. Examples of public records include real estate
records, lien filings, business entity filings (such as corporate
registrations), lawsuit information and court dockets, court decisions,
and birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Publicly Available Information generally originates with the individual
himself or herself and is provided in the course of routine business
transactions, such as ordering telephone service, placing catalog
orders, making retail purchases, and joining book clubs. Published
telephone numbers, household demographics, street addresses, and church
and school alumni directory information all fall within the category of
publicly available information. Information contained in newspapers and
magazines (such as news reports and birth, death and marriage notices)
is also considered to be publicly available.
Private or Non-Public
Information is not generally available from public records or
commercial sources. Non-public information includes information that is
protected from disclosure by law or by custom, such as medical records,
employment records, tax returns, and personal financial records. It's
important to note that the status of information depends on the
information's source. A certain piece of information may be a matter of
public record as well as publicly available and non-public. For
example, your home address may be contained in a public record (such as
the deed to your property that is on file in your county's real
property records office). Your address may be publicly available from
your local telephone directory, and your address may be contained in a
non-public database, such as a credit bureau database.
Many people incorrectly believe that some information, such as social
security numbers or mothers' maiden names, is always non-public. This
is not true. For example, while individuals may believe that their
mother's maiden name is a "private" fact (and while credit grantors may
treat this data as private or secure), birth records are public record
in every state. Since birth records typically contain the maiden name
of the maternal parent, it's public record. Similarly, social security
numbers are often included in public records, such as lawsuit filings
and bankruptcy records. | _____________________________________________________
| | How can I remove my information from the Sverify public records databases? | | Public records, by law, must be available from the official public records office to
anyone who requests them. Accordingly, because individuals cannot opt out of public records databases
generally, Sverify does not offer individuals the opportunity to opt out of our public records
databases. In order for any database of public records to be useful, the databases must contain
all of the information in the public records offices. Our data files must accurately reflect
the underlying public records, and we do not remove or suppress any information that is both
accurate and publicly available. For example, if a bank is going to lend money to a company, it
has to be certain that a search of the public records databases will reveal all of the previous
encumbrances against the company, so that it can effectively evaluate the risk involved in
making the loan.
If you have a compelling privacy or security issue, you may wish to contact the official
custodians of those public records that contain sensitive information about you, such as your
county's land records office, to determine how to remove your information from the public
record. (The process of having public records sealed typically requires a court order.) This
process will ensure that the information is not available from the public records custodian,
sverify, or any other information provider.
As a courtesy we can temporarily 'opt out' your information from the Sverify People Search.
Fax or mail your name and address as it appears on our website. Or print the page from our
website that includes your information.
Please note that removing the data here does not prevent public records from sending us new
information in the future.
Sverify fax number: (425) 974-6194
sverify,
Attn: CUSTOMER SERVICE
666 – 84th Ave NE #660
Bellevue, WA 98004
| _____________________________________________________
| | How can I limit the amount of advertising mail and telephone solicitations that I get? | | Although
Sverify does not sell mailing lists, you may wish to contact the
Direct Marketing Association if you are concerned about unwanted mail
or telephone solicitations, or about the collection of marketing data
about you. This association maintains a list of individuals who do not
want to receive telephone solicitations, advertising mail, product
offers and catalogues. The DMA's addresses are:
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel, New York 10512
Direct Marketing Association
Telephone Preference Service
PO Box 1559
Carmel, New York 10512
You can also visit the DMA's web site at www.the-dma.org.
Please note that information used for marketing purposes originates
from many common transactions that you enter into every day. For
example, marketing information about the names and ages of your family
members may originate with catalog orders placed by you, children's
magazine subscriptions, promotional surveys and product registration
cards. Compilations of marketing data generally are updated on an
almost-continuous basis with information gathered from numerous
sources.
New information is generated each time you or a family or household
member enters into a routine transaction such as using a frequent
shopper card, entering a contest, ordering from a catalog, or
submitting your name to a school or association directory. This new
information finds its way into the publicly available sources through
the constant updating. Accordingly, it is wrong to think of marketing
data (or publicly available information generally) as being contained
in discrete, static databases from which particular records can be
deleted or suppressed. Rather, the information is continuously updated
and supplemented and is capable of being cross-referenced with other
compilations of similar information.
In addition to
subscribing to the DMA's Preference Services, there are steps that you
can take to help limit the amount of personal information about you
that is collected for marketing purposes: Do not disclose your residential address or phone number to
others. On your personal checks, use a post office box or business
address and a business phone number. If you do provide your residential
address and phone number, ask how it will be used and how you can
restrict any further use. Tell businesses that you do not wish to be on
their mailing lists and that you do not want them to provide your name,
address and phone number to other companies. Have a non-published residential
telephone number (neither available in the printed directory or from
directory assistance) or a "non-listed" number (not printed in the
directory but available from directory assistance). CD-ROMs containing
nationwide listings of telephone directories are now readily and
cheaply available from computer and discount stores. Nationwide
telephone directories are also available on the internet, and there is
no charge for internet users to search these directories. If your
address and phone number are in a directory, they are widely available.
If your address is included in the local directory, it will also be in
the nationwide directories. Do not complete street directory
information forms (e.g., a request to complete street address
information for a commercially published directory other than a
telephone book). These directories include alumni directories, church
directories, employer directories, etc. Avoid ordering products or
services by telephone. If you do, inform the merchant that you do not
want your name, address and telephone number given to others. Not only
do the national catalog retailers capture and store your personal
information, but local retailers such as pizza delivery services
capture your phone number and generally have your name and address
displayed on their screen merely to be confirmed by you. Avoid
completing product warranty or registration cards, consumer surveys,
preferred buyer promotions and the like. Also avoid using preferred
shopper, store discount or check cashing cards. These cards generally
permit the retailer to compile lifestyle information -- number, ages
and sex of people in the household, income level, and similar
information -- which is then used to compile targeted mailing lists
which are sold for marketing purposes. HOWEVER, do complete
registration cards (at least providing your address) for products where
recall notices might be critical, such as infant car seats. Indicate on
the card that you do not want your information used for targeted
marketing. Use Caller I.D. blocking to prevent your phone number from
being displayed when you call companies or order products. | _____________________________________________________
| | How do I contact the Direct Marketing Association? | | How do I contact the Direct Marketing Association?
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
PO Box 9008
Farmingdale, New York 11735
Direct Marketing Association
Telephone Preference Service
PO Box 9014
Farmingdale, New York 11735
Or you can visit the DMA online at www.the-dma.org.
| _____________________________________________________
| | How can I protect my social security number and other personal information about me? | |
Although many people believe that their social security numbers are
private, social security numbers are available from many different
sources. For example, social security numbers are often contained in
public records, such as death certificates, driving records, bankruptcy
filings and lien documents. To protect yourself from fraud, avoid using
your social security number as your "unique" identifying number unless
you are required to so by law. (For example, you will be required to
provide your social security number for banking and tax purposes.) You
can legally refuse to provide your social security number to private
businesses unless it is required for governmental purposes (such as tax
withholding).
However, some businesses, such as utilities, may require another form
of identification or even a deposit if you do not give them your social
security number, and some business may decline to extend credit to you
unless you provide your social security number to them.
To prevent widespread
disclosure of your social security number, do not include the number on
your checks, business cards or other documents. Similarly, do not use
your social security number as your driver's license number or student
identification number. In general, do not permit others to use your
social security number for identification purposes. Instead, ask
businesses to use another "made-up" number if they need to confirm your
identity. | _____________________________________________________
| | What do I do if I have questions about my consumer credit report? | If
you have questions about your credit report, you may wish to contact
the three main consumer credit reporting agencies. These companies can
remove your name from their marketing lists, and they can provide you
with a copy of your current credit report. Each company also has
procedures for correcting any inaccuracies that you may find in your
credit report.
The three main credit bureaus are:
Experían (formerly TRW):
1-800-682-7654 connects you to a recording that has instructions for
requesting copies of credit reports if you have been denied credit,
employment or insurance. You may also request a complimentary annual
credit report. Consumer Assistance at 1-800-422-4879 connects you to a
representative that can assist with more specific requests. Visit
Experian online at www.experian.com.
Equifax:
1-800-685-1111 connects you to a recording that directs you to another
toll free number in your local area. Your local number connects you to
a recording that addresses requests for copies of your credit report
and what to do if you disagree with information on the report. Visit
Equifax online at www.equifax.com.
Trans Union: Consumer Relations at 1-800-851-2674 connects you to a recording that addresses requests for copies of your credit
report or to speak with a representative.
Visit Trans Union online at www.transunion.com. | _____________________________________________________
| | What do I do if I am the victim of identity theft or my information is incorrect? | Identity
theft occurs when someone uses another person's personal information
(such as name, social security number, credit card numbers or bank
account numbers) to conceal crimes or get credit fraudulently. Identity
theft is a crime. If you believe that you are a victim of identity
theft, there are several important steps that you should take: First,
report the crime to the police promptly and get a police report.
Second, contact the three main credit reporting agencies (Equifax,
Experian and Trans Union) to get copies of your credit report - fraud
victims are entitled to free copies - and ask about the agencies' fraud
alert services.
Equifax: www.equifax.com
Experian: www.experian.com
Trans Union: www.transunion.com
Complete the FTC's ID Theft Affidavit form (www.consumer.gov/idtheft).
Inform the credit grantors who have extended credit to the thief in
writing about the situation and enclose copies of the police report and
the ID Theft Affidavit. Keep copies of all letters you send and keep notes of any follow-up calls that you have with credit grantors,
including the date, the name of person who called, and what was discussed.
Contact the Social Security Administration if someone is using your
social security number. Contact your bank and credit card companies if
someone is using your bank account, checking account or credit card
numbers. Identity theft can be a costly and devastating crime for its
victims as well as for the credit grantors who are defrauded. For more
information about identity theft and consumer fraud, you may wish to
visit the Federal Trade Commission consumer identity theft web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Additional information can be found at Privacy Rights Clearinghouse,
www.privacyrights.org. | _____________________________________________________
| | Who do I contact if I have questions about sverify? | If
you have questions about Sverify information policies, privacy or
related questions, please contact Ed Petersen, Vice President of
Consumer Affairs. Ed's address is:
Ed Petersen
Vice President, Consumer Affairs
City Center Bellevue
666 84th Avenue NE
25th floor
Bellevue, Washington 98004
Click Here to contact us if you have any questions about our products and services. | _____________________________________________________
| | Safe & Secure Online Transactions | sverify.com
is concerned about the safety and security of our customers. We have
put a number of technological protections in place to ensure that our
transaction process is safe and that our customers' information is
secure.
Safety and Security Tips
If using a public computer or terminal, always log out when you complete an online session.
Keep your passwords private. Don't share your password with anyone. Store your password in a safe place. | _____________________________________________________
|
 |
