Merlin's Privacy and Security Statements
Privacy Statement | Security Statement | Opt Out Policy
PRIVACY STATEMENT
Merlin Information Services is a provider of public information and other proprietary data. Merlin supplies data to businesses in the investigative and collections industries for the purposes of locating individuals and businesses as well as individuals' and businesses' assets.
The information that Merlin makes available to its customers is:
- Public record information obtained directly from governmental entities or from reputable third parties who have compiled public record information from governmental agencies.
- Publicly available information obtained from sources such as published telephone directories.
- Certain non-public information. Access to non-public information is strictly limited to highly qualified businesses who must pass an in-depth certification process.
Merlin's company policy is to limit access to non-public information to businesses who can demonstrate an appropriate use for the information and who agree to abide by all local and federal laws regarding the use and dissemination of such information. Merlin maintains physical and electronic systems to protect information from unauthorized access and persons who may exceed their authorization.
In addition to the material posted on this website, Merlin supports the education efforts undertaken by various industry associates and Merlin uses reasonable efforts to make consumers aware of the public policy issues and benefits associated with the responsible flow of public and non-public information.
Public records, by law, must be available from the official public records offices to anyone who requests them. Accordingly, because individuals cannot opt out of public records databases generally, Merlin does not offer individuals the opportunity to opt out of our public records databases - our goal is to accurately reflect the complete underlying public records database. 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. This process will ensure that the information is not available from the public records custodian, Merlin, or any other information provider.
Because Merlin does not make any non-public information available to the general public, Merlin does not offer individuals the opportunity to opt out of its non-public databases.
Access to Public Records and Publicly Available Information
Merlin offers its customers access to a variety of databases of public records (such as real estate filings and court documents) and publicly available information (such as published telephone directories). Because these records do not contain a unique identifier such as Social Security number, it is impossible for Merlin to determine with any certainty what records relate to a particular individual. Unlike consumer credit reporting agencies, Merlin does not compile a credit report or other report on particular individuals because we cannot match particular records to particular individuals. Therefore, Merlin does not have a report to provide you regarding public records or publicly available information about you that Merlin may have in its databases.
Upon request, Merlin will provide you with a list of its public records products and information on the official public records offices where the records are kept. You can contact the official public records custodian for copies of any public records that you may have created. For example, if you own a home, you can contact your county's tax assessor office for a copy of the tax assessor record that relates to your property. Alternatively, there are several Internet sites that provide consumer access to public records and publicly available information. These sites include KnowX.com and 1800USSearch.com .
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SECURITY STATEMENT
Merlin Implemented Security Systems:
Merlin has implemented multiple security defenses to ensure Internet-based network protection. We have multiple routers, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems in place to ensure all network access is authorized. Those systems, along with comprehensive e-mail scanning, SPAM filtering, and enterprise-wide antivirus, provide a strong defense to protect our data.
We also have an independent, outside firm providing security assessments of our systems on a weekly basis.
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OPT OUT POLICY
While Merlin will not opt you out of its databases that are offered to investigative professionals, we will opt you out of any data that we sell to companies that may make your information available to the general public. However, after opting out, if any new information is gathered or updated through a public agency, then that information will become available again.
To block your information ("opt out") from data that is made available to the general public, please provide the following:
