You’re scrolling through Google, maybe checking on an old friend or—let’s be real—Googling yourself to see what the world sees. Then you hit it. A link to a mylife com people search result with your name on it. Your heart drops a little because right next to your name is a "Reputation Score" that looks like a failing grade from high school.
Is it a scam? Is it a background check? Honestly, it’s a bit of both and neither. MyLife is one of the oldest players in the "people search" game, having started back in 2002 as Reunion.com. It’s basically a massive data aggregator that vacuums up public records, social media snippets, and court filings to build a digital dossier on practically every adult in the US. They claim to have 325 million profiles. If you’re breathing and have ever paid a utility bill, you’re probably in there.
The Drama Behind the Reputation Score
The thing that really gets under people’s skin is the MyLife Reputation Score. It’s a number, usually out of five, that supposedly tells the world how "trustworthy" you are. But here’s the kicker: the algorithm is about as transparent as a brick wall.
They use "low" scores to grab your attention. It's a classic psychological nudge. You see a 2.1 score and think, Wait, do people think I'm a criminal? Then you see a big red button that says "See Why" or "Improve Your Score." That's the hook. To actually see what’s dragging you down, you usually have to reach for your wallet.
Critics have long called these "scare tactics." In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) didn't just stand by. Back in 2021, a federal court approved a settlement where MyLife and its CEO, Jeffrey Tinsley, were hit with judgments totaling $33.9 million. Why? Because the government alleged they were tricking people into thinking they had criminal or sexual offender records when they actually didn't. They were basically using "teaser" reports to scare users into buying subscriptions.
What’s Actually Inside a mylife com people search?
If you decide to click through (without paying), you'll see a mix of boring and oddly specific data points. It’s weird seeing your life condensed into a sidebar.
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- The Basics: Your age, birth date, and current/past addresses.
- The Web: Relatives (including that cousin you haven't talked to in a decade), neighbors, and "associates."
- The Paperwork: Court records, property ownership, and potential liens.
- The Social: Reviews left by other users. Yes, people can actually "rate" you on MyLife, which is exactly as chaotic as it sounds.
The accuracy is... hit or miss. One user on Reddit mentioned their profile showed them working for a company on the opposite coast that they’d never even heard of. Another found a profile for a relative who had been deceased for 30 years with a "social reputation score."
Because MyLife scrapes data from so many places, it often fails to realize that "John Smith" in Ohio isn't the same "John Smith" who got a speeding ticket in Florida. It bundles it all together and lets the viewer figure it out.
Is It Legal?
People often ask how it's even legal for a site to just blast your birthday and address all over the web. Generally, if the information is a "public record"—meaning it’s held by a government agency like a court or a DMV—it's fair game for aggregators.
However, there's a big difference between a search engine and a "Consumer Reporting Agency" (CRA). Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), if a company provides data used for hiring, housing, or insurance, they have to follow strict rules about accuracy and dispute resolution. MyLife has faced heavy fire for acting like a CRA without following those rules.
How to Get Your Info Off MyLife
If you're tired of being a data point for sale, you can actually opt out. You don't need to pay them to "manage" your reputation; you can just tell them to delete the page.
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It’s not a one-click process, but it’s doable.
The Email Method (Most Reliable)
Don't bother with the "claim profile" buttons on the site. That often just gives them more of your data. Instead, send a direct email to privacy@mylife.com.
In the subject line, put "Removal Request: [Your Full Name]." In the body, give them your name, date of birth, and any addresses they have listed for you. Crucially, include the URL of your specific MyLife profile page. Tell them you want your profile and all associated data removed immediately under your right to privacy.
The Phone Route
There is a customer service number (1-888-704-1900), but reports from 2025 and early 2026 suggest it's mostly automated now. It might tell you to email support anyway.
The "Do Not Sell" Form
Scroll to the bottom of their homepage. Look for a tiny link that says "Do Not Sell My Personal Information." They are legally required to provide this for residents of states like California (CCPA). Usually, filling this out triggers a profile removal within 15 days.
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Managing the Aftermath
Once they confirm they've deleted your info, don't expect it to vanish from Google instantly. Google has already "indexed" that page. It might take a few weeks for the search result to drop off.
If you’re in a hurry, you can use Google’s "Refresh Outdated Content" tool. You paste the dead MyLife link, and Google’s bot will realize the page is gone and scrub it from the search results faster.
Real Insights for Your Privacy
Honestly, MyLife is just the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of these sites—Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified. If you remove yourself from one, you'll likely pop up on another.
If you're serious about your digital footprint, consider a "data removal service" that automates these requests every month. Or, if you're a DIY person, just set a calendar reminder to Google yourself every 90 days.
The goal isn't to be invisible—that's almost impossible today—but to make sure the "teaser" version of your life isn't a collection of errors and 20-year-old court cases.
Check your profile today. Find the URL. Send that email. It takes ten minutes, and it stops a random data broker from grading your life with a mystery algorithm.