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Business Profile

Searchers of Records

Background Alert

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Searchers of Records.

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 337 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 106 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

Sort by

Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/04/2023

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    3/3/2023 I emailed Background Alert and requested to opt out of their data aggregation service. I do not want them to provide my private information online as part of their platform. I received an email on 3/4/2023 requesting my ID. They refused to do this unless I provide my ID. I do not want to provide them with my ID, as it is a complete breach of my privacy to provide my driver's license which includes my birthdate, etc.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/07/2023

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review. We have gone ahead and removed your information and you do NOT need to provide an ID. Please disregard the email requesting ID - this is just your confirmation it has been removed.  If you need any additional assistance, please do not hesitate respond and we will ensure your request is processed securely. 

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/03/2023

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    ****** scan popped up hit of my personal info on background alert. I attempted to remove it and was extremely surprised they asked for a copy of my issued id. Why in the world would I provide even more personal info to an entity that had put my info on the web in the first place? I want to formally complain about this practice and only ask for my info to removed from this site.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/07/2023

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review. We have gone ahead and removed your information and you do NOT need to provide an ID. Please disregard the email requesting ID - this is just your confirmation it has been removed.  If you need any additional assistance, please do not hesitate respond and we will ensure your request is processed securely. 

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/03/2023

    Type:Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I would like Backgroundalert.com to remove my personal information from their site. Unfortunately, they require a copy of my driver's license or other ID to do so, which is clearly a potential problem with identity theft and other issues relating to my personal information. I will not submit these documents for those reasons listed above, at a minimum. Having had my identity stolen previously, as well as my wife's, I am extremely cautious about my personal information. I found the following listings that I believe to be me, due to city and other factors.******************************* (aliases *************************************), Cities listed: (*******, ** - ************* - ***********, ** - *********, ** - ********, **), Possible Relatives: **** A **************************** L L **************************** L **************************** *********************************, ********************************* *******************************, Cities Listed: (*********, **), Possible Relatives: (*******************************, ************************************, **************************************)*******************************, Cities Listed: (********, **)*******************************, Cities Listed: (**********)************************************* (Aliases *******************************), Cities listed: (*******, ** - ************* - ***********, ** - *********, ** - ********, **), Possible Relatives: **** A **************************** L L **************************** L **************************** *********************************, *********************************

    Business Response

    Date: 03/07/2023

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review. We have gone ahead and removed your information and you do NOT need to provide an ID. Please disregard the email requesting ID - this is just your confirmation it has been removed.  If you need any additional assistance, please do not hesitate respond and we will ensure your request is processed securely. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 03/07/2023


    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

    Regards,

    *****************************

     

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/02/2023

    Type:Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I found information about myself on Background Alert and was alerted of the detection via Norton my security program on my computer. When requesting my information be taken off the site, I was prompted to send a photocopy of my ID to prove it was me. I am filing this complaint because I should not have to prove my identity by showing identification, which I am afraid to share with this company on the grounds that they will then share that information with other companies like them. I am listed under ******************************** which also reveals my age, as well as ***************************** on this site which both shows where I live. The ******************************** listing seems to have been removed since that was the first listing I requested my name be removed. The other listing of me has not been removed.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/07/2023

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review. We have gone ahead and removed your information and you do NOT need to provide an ID. Please disregard the email requesting ID - this is just your confirmation it has been removed.  If you need any additional assistance, please do not hesitate respond and we will ensure your request is processed securely. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 03/07/2023


    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

    Regards,

    *****************************

     

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/01/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    My information is on the background alert website, and the only way to remove my information is to provide a copy of my ID, which is ridiculous. I do not want my info publicly posted on your site, and I definitely do not want to provide a copy of my official identification to have it removed. Please remove my info ASAP. Thank you.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/07/2023

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review. We have gone ahead and removed your information and you do NOT need to provide an ID. Please disregard the email requesting ID - this is just your confirmation it has been removed.  If you need any additional assistance, please do not hesitate respond and we will ensure your request is processed securely. 

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/25/2023

    Type:Delivery Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Background Alert posts private information for me and my wife without our informed consent. We have completed the online opt-out request just now then learned that in order to opt-out, they require a copy of our current identification such as a driver's license, which is a further violation of our right to privacy and poses a greater risk of identity theft.

    Business Response

    Date: 02/28/2023

    Hi *****, 

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review.

    I'm more than happy to remove your information but can you please provide a screenshot of the listing I need to take down? When I search your first and last name I don't get any returns on my end. Thanks in advance. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 02/28/2023


    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I see that the business has corrected the issue. I consider this complaint resolved

    Regards,

    *************************

     

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/25/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Background Alert posts private information for me and my husband without our informed consent. We have completed the online opt-out request just now then learned that in order to opt-out, they require a copy of our current identification such as a driver's license, which is a further violation of our right to privacy and poses a greater risk of identity theft.

    Business Response

    Date: 02/28/2023

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review.

     

    Can you please provide screenshots of all the listings you want taken down and I will remove them ASAP? When I search ************************* I don't get any returns on my end. Thanks in advance! 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 02/28/2023


    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I have checked and can confirm that the business performed corrective action. I will consider this complaint resolved.

    ~*************************

     

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/25/2023

    Type:Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I want to opt out of Background Alert which supplies my personal information without my consent, but they will only allow me to opt-out if I provide a copy of some type of personal ID. I will not give them this since I do not trust that this will not also be inckuded in my distributed personal information - other opt-out sites use personal email response as validation. See from backgroundalert.com: "To remove your information from our search results, start by filling out this form. ID required. You will be asked to provide proof of your identity before we can complete your request."

    Business Response

    Date: 02/28/2023

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review. We have gone ahead and removed your information and you do NOT need to provide an ID. Please disregard the email requesting ID - this is just your confirmation it has been removed.  If you need any additional assistance, please do not hesitate respond and we will ensure your request is processed securely. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 02/28/2023


    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.



     

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/23/2023

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I want them to take the information on me using all the names they have *******************; *******************, A ******, and ************************ off of their site. I filled out everything they asked for except the photo id they requested. When I tried to continue it would not allow me to do so. Thank you in advance for your help.

    Business Response

    Date: 02/28/2023

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review. We have gone ahead and removed your information and you do NOT need to provide an ID. Please disregard the email requesting ID - this is just your confirmation it has been removed.  If you need any additional assistance, please do not hesitate respond and we will ensure your request is processed securely. 

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/22/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    This website will allow anyone and everyone to download all of my personal information but wont let me take myself off without an ID?! Talk about a major privacy violation!! Profiting off of stalking people online?! Horrible! Horrible! Horrible!

    Business Response

    Date: 02/28/2023

    Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns. Background Alert is a provider of over 67 billion public records. Our data architecture and proprietary technology allows us to search through the records and deliver results instantly to our customers. We do not have control of the public records available, but we do allow individuals to remove their name from the database. The driver's license is only requested to validate the identity of the individual requesting (there can be multiple people with matching names and cities) for their information to be removed and to help us with our monthly compliance review. We have gone ahead and removed your information and you do NOT need to provide an ID. Please disregard the email requesting ID - this is just your confirmation it has been removed.  If you need any additional assistance, please do not hesitate respond and we will ensure your request is processed securely. 

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