SmartBackgroundChecks Opt-Out

What Does SmartBackgroundChecks Do?

SmartBackgroundChecks presents itself as a thorough and accurate consumer record search engine, claiming access to more than a billion consumer records each year. In practice, it does not create or own most of this data. Instead, it functions as a hub that pulls information from larger data brokers and background check providers to surface matching records based on the details searched.

When a search is run, the SmartBackgroundChecks system scans multiple external databases, identifies potential matches, and displays a stripped-down version of the results. These surface-level reports typically exclude full details. That is intentional. When users attempt to access a complete background report, they are redirected to a generator website such as TruthFinder.

Because of this structure, opting out of SmartBackgroundChecks alone does not always remove the underlying data. It only affects what appears on the SmartBackgroundChecks site itself. To fully remove your information, consumers must identify the destination website powering the full report and complete that company's opt-out process as well.

Remove My Name from SmartBackgroundChecks!

There are no eligibility requirements to remove information from SmartBackgroundChecks. All available opt-out options are free, and no account creation is required. That part is refreshingly simple. Still, there are a few important nuances worth keeping in mind before starting the process.

According to the SmartBackgroundChecks privacy policy, suppression requests are not permanent. Records are refreshed on a 12-month cycle, which means an opt-out flag expires after one year. Once that window closes, previously suppressed information can reappear. For consumers who want continued privacy, this means returning annually to submit a new suppression request as needed.

It is also important to understand what SmartBackgroundChecks is and is not. Despite the name, the site cannot be used for serious decisions such as employment screening, credit evaluation, or tenant background checks. SmartBackgroundChecks is not a Consumer Reporting Agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Companies that qualify as FCRA-compliant data brokers, such as Experian and Equifax, rely on nonpublic data sources and are legally permitted to support high-impact decisions.

That said, SmartBackgroundChecks is not unregulated. While it does not fall under FCRA requirements, it is still subject to state-level privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act and similar statutes in Utah, Virginia, Connecticut, Nevada, and Colorado. Those laws are what make free opt-out and suppression requests possible in the first place.

Where to Start Your SmartBackgroundChecks Opt-Out

SmartBackgroundChecks offers several ways to submit an opt-out request, but most consumers will only need one of two methods. The guide below focuses on the preferred options. One involves contacting the privacy team directly, and the other uses an in-browser opt-out form that processes removals with minimal delay.

The first method requires reaching out to the privacy team through a short contact form. Before doing that, the consumer must locate the correct profile URL associated with their record. These URLs point to the exact listing within the SmartBackgroundChecks system. Submitting a request without a valid profile URL often leads to rejection, simply because the request lacks a clear target.

The second method relies on the SmartBackgroundChecks online opt-out form. This approach is usually faster and more reliable. The form includes its own search process, which removes the need to find or submit a profile URL manually. For most users, this built-in workflow makes the online form the easiest place to start.

How We'll Remove Information from SmartBackgroundChecks: Guided Tutorial

Contact the Privacy Team by Using the Online Form

Consumers who need to contact the SmartBackgroundChecks privacy team must do so through the in-browser form on the Contact Us page. The form itself is simple. It asks for a name, an email address, and a message. What matters most is including a valid profile URL. Requests submitted without one are often delayed or rejected because there is no clear record to suppress. The steps below walk through how to locate the correct URL and submit a complete request. To begin, open the SmartBackgroundChecks homepage in a new tab.

Step One

Once the main page loads, run a search using the available fields. Enter the consumer's full name and location, then click the blue Search button below the entries.

Step Two

Search results may return dozens or even hundreds of name matches. If needed, refine the search by adding more identifying details. When you locate the record that most closely matches the consumer, right-click the blue Open Free Background Report button and copy the link address.

Alternative Step Two

If you click the blue button instead, the consumer report opens directly. These are surface-level reports generated by pulling limited data from other people search websites. The URL in the browser's address bar is the same link tied to the button. You can copy it directly by selecting the address bar, right-clicking, and choosing copy.

Step Three

After copying the profile URL, open the SmartBackgroundChecks Contact Us page in a new tab. Enter your full name and a reachable email address. Using an alternative email address is recommended when communicating with people search websites.

In the message field, clearly request an opt-out and paste the copied profile URL into the text box. You can paste by right-clicking and selecting Paste or by using the keyboard shortcut. Complete the CAPTCHA, then click the blue Submit Your Question button to send the request.

Customer support responses typically arrive within a few days, though the privacy policy allows up to 30 days for a formal reply. Often, suppression occurs well before a response is issued.

Opt-Out Using the Official In-Browser Form 500

For most consumers, the online opt-out form is the fastest and most reliable way to remove information from SmartBackgroundChecks. Other contact methods exist, but they usually take longer to authorize and process. To begin, open the SmartBackgroundChecks Opt-Out Process form in a new browser tab.

Step One

When the form loads, enter an accessible email address in the provided field. This email will be used later for verification, so it needs to be reachable. Select the checkbox confirming that you are the subject of the record, complete the CAPTCHA, and click the blue Accept Terms & Start Removal button.

The next page thanks you for accepting the terms. At the bottom, two important notes appear. First, the remaining steps require email verification. Second, revisiting or refreshing the profile page after submitting an opt-out can delay processing. Each request is assigned a chronological ticket number, and refreshing the profile may generate a new one, pushing the request further back in the queue.

Step Two

When ready to proceed, click the search features link at the top of the page. You will be redirected to the SmartBackgroundChecks search page, but in opt-out mode. This matters because standard searches do not expose the removal tools needed for the process.

Step Three

Enter the relevant details into the search fields. Start with a first and last name, then add more information as needed to narrow the results. Click the blue Search button below the fields.

Step Four

From the results page, locate the record most closely associated with you or the person you are removing. Click the blue Open Free Background Report button tied to that listing.

Step Five

The profile page loads with a temporary opt-out feature enabled. You should now see a yellow Request My Record To Be Removed button near the top of the page. This button only appears during an active opt-out session. Click it to submit the request. The page refreshes immediately and displays a message indicating that a verification email has been sent to the address you entered earlier.

Step Six

Open the inbox for that email address and look for a message from support@smartbackgroundchecks.com. Inside, click the link labeled Click here to remove [Name]. This link is time-sensitive, so it is best to complete this step as soon as possible.

After clicking the link, a new page opens confirming that the opt-out request has been submitted. At this point, there is nothing more you need to do. If the request cannot be processed, a privacy team member will reach out. In most cases, SmartBackgroundChecks removes the record within a week.

Clearing Caches and Deleting Saved Links

Please take note of the bold text in the screenshot above; it asks that the user clear their browser cache before searching for the record again. When a profile is accessed through SmartBackgroundChecks' engine, the browser stores pieces of the record. Unless the browser cache is cleared, it's possible to see the report, even if the public cannot. On top of this, viewing the profile again slows down the processing time. To navigate these problems, we suggest placing the opt-out request and clearing the browser caches; then, we return after a week to verify that the website removed the record.

Check Back Later; There's More to Do

SmartBackgroundChecks refreshes its data on a 12-month cycle. For most consumers, this means an opt-out is not permanent. Returning once a year to check for newly generated records and submitting fresh suppression requests is often necessary.

To confirm that a removal was successful, go back to the SmartBackgroundChecks homepage and run a basic search using your name. If the opt-out worked, no SmartBackgroundChecks records should appear. It is also important to remember that opting out of SmartBackgroundChecks does not remove your information from other people search websites. Records from separate services may still appear. In those cases, you must visit the destination site and follow its privacy or opt-out procedures individually. This guide reflects the opt-out processes outlined in SmartBackgroundChecks' privacy policy as of 2025.