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If you’re looking for a job, an apartment, or a loan, there’s a good chance that someone will be looking at you — closely. They may search for your name online or order a background report. They’re looking for red-flag warnings that another candidate may be a safer bet.
 
 
 
According to a lawsuit announced today, MyLife.com, which sells background reports, raised red flags by posting deceptive “teaser” reports online. The lawsuit says MyLife promoted these reports to employers, landlords, and others to convince them to subscribe to its services. The Department of Justice filed the lawsuit on behalf of the FTC.
 
 
Here’s how it worked: MyLife displayed the teaser reports when someone typed a person’s name into a search bar at MyLife.com. If the person had no criminal, traffic, or sex offender records, the report typically suggested the person had such records. It also prominently displayed large, clickable buttons, one inviting the user to “View [searched-for person’s] Court, Arrest, or Criminal Records,” and another inviting the user to “View [searched-for person’s] Sex Offender Records.” Mylife.com users could view the full records only after paying for a subscription.
 
 
In many instances the searched-for people did not have criminal or sexual offender records, or they had minor traffic citations only. As a result, the lawsuit says, the reports were deceptive, violating the FTC Act.
 
 
The lawsuit also charges that MyLife didn’t take reasonable steps to make sure its background reports were accurate, violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act, used misleading billing practices, violating the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, and didn’t clearly and truthfully disclose that MyLife “had a policy of not making refunds and of discouraging cancellations,” violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule.
 
 
Before applying for a job, apartment, or loan, try to fix inaccurate information about you that someone considering your application might see. Start by ordering your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and disputing any errors you find.
chishoem
June 05, 2021
After viewing the summary info on myself and finding at least 1 previous address where I have never lived & associates who I do not know, I took the 3-day trial to make corrections. That was the biggest mess. Just let me say, I could not correct the details. So I checked my deceased husband’s only to find the same big mess. This website needs to be taken down.
Chris
June 08, 2021
Although this article was written a year ago, MyLife continues to publish totally inaccurate information. Their whole reputation score it's probably a scam to get you to sign up for a membership and correct the "Inaccurate information". Who knows how many people No longer have communication from friends or relatives because of this false information. And who knows how many people were denied her job because of this false information. There should be multiple class action lawsuits against this company.
A Senior Citizen
June 11, 2021
Mylife’s public report on me is filled with wrong information. I tried to remove it as well as make my public profile private but was told by Mylife in a response email that I couldn’t without signing up for a paid account. For example, “Associates” reported by Mylife, include my late father, listed as still living at age 111. He died over a quarter of a century ago. My mother, listed as living, also died over a quarter of a century ago. My deceased ex-wife, who I divorced 34 years ago is also listed as an “Associate”, even though I have had no contact with her for 34 years. Other people are listed as “Associates” whom I’ve never even heard of. Being told by Mylife that I must pay a fee to remove these falsehoods and other personal details is extortion and harassment. It needs to stop.
TarSki
June 11, 2021
They have false information about me, and family members and non family members I have no idea who they are, addresses, values etc. It is like reading fiction and you wonder who they are talking about. Also you have to wonder where they get their I formation. Sad that they do this to everyone, and are still in business.
auburntiger94
June 13, 2021
Did a trial & cancelled it same day. 5 days later they’re making unauthorized charges to my credit card anyway. My bank called me & said they declined it as fraud. Do NOT give them your credit card number!
Violation of m…
June 14, 2021
This company refuses to remove your information without you paying for it. Not only is the information wrong but they make it appear that you have arrests, bankruptcies and other legal issues. They publish all your personal information and I have had my Identity stolen several times thanks to sites like these. This is nothing more than an extortion scheme so they can collect your credit card and personal information.
Shabbychic77
July 18, 2021
Inaccurate indeed! Home address, previous addresses, and "related associated persons listed, I have absolutely no idea who they are, or how and why these persons became associated with Mylife Profile. Keep receiving emails stating "Urgent" info updates regarding persons they have connected me. These inaccuracies need to resolved , legal action should be taken against mylife
Dennis
August 05, 2021
Just recieved an email from mylife. Very concerned as it has alot of datamined information. Like, I didnt know my sister was in a different state etc...
Derek
August 16, 2021

In reply to by Dennis

Can you provide context? Why did they email you out of the blue?
mo
August 11, 2021
I just discovered that "My Life" is selling information on me. In their teaser it indicates that I have bankruptcies and liens in my record which is not true. Because I refused to give them a credit card I was unable to look at all the the report. It's not right that anyone can sell information about you that you don't authorize and which is NOT even true - and then you don't have free access to see what they're selling as truth. There should be laws banning this type of business. I hope someone sues!
Tim HNL
August 13, 2021
After reading some of the posted comments, I have also found similar, harmful misinformation, concerning myself. I came to this site trying to find a way to clear this lies and misinformation. They have me listed and living with a women with the same last name, first name is no someone who is unknown to me. I'm single and live alone. Having numerous court records, implies an extensive criminal history, children I don't have, living with other women and this list went on! It also invade ones privacy with addresses, emails, contact and location info etc. I'm currently researching any legal avenue that my be available to clear my name and stop this disgraceful website.
Ella
August 20, 2021
I was shocked when I just looked at info about myself on myLife. They have my score as -17% below the National Average! It actually says "You HAVE Lawsuits, Liens, Evictions or Bankruptcies." No wonder my Dentist requires that I pay cash up front and that I can't even rent a storage unit. No one would even tell me why I kept getting denied for things I've applied for. This info on myLife is untrue and is making trouble for me! I am just so mad at them right now! How can I get on the "Sue Them" List???
G. C.
August 20, 2021
I live in italy, I've never subscribed to mylife.com but I reiceve emails from them claiming that there are negative items in my reputation profile. And it is impossible to unsubscribe. Their background reports are not only misleading but often they're completely fake.
Victoria999
September 21, 2021
Very disturbing after seeing my profile. It said I had a record. I haven't even had a ticket in my life. They need to take this misinformation off the site. Plus, the people that are on my profile are not accurate. I don't know who they are.
RobertH
September 29, 2021
This, and other websites like it, should be illegal. Should not be able to use personal identifying information of people and post it. Creates a huge security risk for individuals, especially women. Allows anonymous reviews which can be defamatory. Shut them down and put them out of business ASAP.
ML 2021
October 12, 2021
I have noticed several listings which state that the person is Christian. I know they are not and never have been. Where does MyLife get its misinformation? Does it verify?
Nancylady
October 25, 2021
The My Life info on me is very wrong. It has people I dont know and extremely inaccurate information.
Miss J
December 03, 2021
I had to call My Life to correct information ( 90% wrong) and then asked to remove me from the site. They did not! Information is still on site uncorrected!
Condy
December 07, 2021
MyLife had so much false information regarding me. From being a Principal to associates. Wrong, wrong, wrong!
SusanM
December 08, 2021
I tried their system today because I wanted to know how they use a reputation score on me and what metric they use. Paid my$1.00 3 day trial just to get a one system access and not full access to all of my info. Called them to cancel and demanded a refund of my money because I would have to pay some other price for all of the info. I demanded that they remove my info from public view until I can review the information and be clear that I am not being misrepresented by these folks. She told me I would have a refund within 3-5 days and my Info will be removed from their google search system as well within 3-5 days. Why are they able to do such without our knowledge or opportunity to clarify any possible errors. We have to pay to clean up their potential wrong information?
Perturbed
December 09, 2021
I have a cousin listed on my report who’s been deceased for eighteen years. They will not remove her and she’s bringing down my score.
AJP
December 10, 2021
I found that the second I changed my facebook picture, mylife displayed it. I'm fairly certain facebook allows this data mining possibly going through twitter. I put a picture of an inanimate object on those accounts, and closed them. Now mylife doesn't display a picture, since they didn't bother to save the pic of the inanimate object. I hope this helps someone.
PL
December 16, 2021
What is the status of the FTC suit. MyLife is still out there posting erroneous information. I just discovered this site and as many have stated, they post false information regarding court records. What is disturbing is that they display this in a big red box at the top of the page and state that there are court records found for me and other family members. I nor anyone else in my family have a criminal record. Court records do not necessarily mean a criminal record, but I sure would like to know what they are posting and why they have to display it with a prominent red flag. I refuse to set up an account with an apparently bogus web site in fear that it could make matters worse. If you try to access those court records they start with verifying questions such as your birth date. I won't even start to answer the first question let alone any others. They already have too much info. We already live in an era of too much false information proliferating our society, we don't need more. I hope this law suit will shut this site down as well as any others like it.
FTC Staff
December 17, 2021

In reply to by PL

On December 16, 2021, the FTC announced that MyLife.com, Inc. and its CEO, Jeffrey Tinsley, have been banned from engaging in deceptive negative option marketing and will pay $21 million following allegations that they tricked consumers with “teaser background reports” and trapped them in difficult-to-cancel subscription programs.

As part of the settlement, Tinsley and MyLife agreed to separate judgments totaling $33.9 million. Tinsley will pay a total of $5 million and MyLife will pay a partially suspended judgment of $16 million due to the company’s inability to pay the full amount. The money will be used to provide refunds to consumers.

Susan Friedman
June 06, 2022

Just looked at info about me on mylife and it's pretty outrageous. The lies and inaccuracies that could potentially harm my reputation are unbelievable but there is enough information that could certainly identify me as this person who has a low score, has a criminal background, has multiple associates I don't know. Other than a speeding ticket about 10 years ago, I have never even been accused of criminal activity, let alone convicted. Of course, the only way I can see the details is to pay them to get a report I know to be full of false informaiton. Such misinformation - how can they get away with this. The Department of Justice should get involved with this.