If you’re a homeowner, you will find this disturbing, as there’s a new entity that qualifies for “Sleazebags of the Internet” award. Google yourself, under legal name in which you hold title. If your results are the same as mine, you will see your home address very prominently displayed at the top of the search page by a web-site Blockshopper.com, courtesy of Blockshopper’s search engine optimizing algorithm. In my case, several years ago I was threatened by crazy neighbors, which ultimately led to me moving. Nice to know these psychos can find me with click of mouse, or punch of button on smart phone.
I contacted Scarlett Simpson at Blockshopper.com, requesting removal of my name from their data, due to issue with ex-neighbors. In her curt reply (which is echoed on their FAQ page), she said the records were public information, but if I sent them a police report they would accommodate me. I don’t have a police report handy, and this was a number of years ago. Nor should I need one. This site should respect people’s wishes for privacy.
A few days later, I contacted Ms. Simpson again, advising if they don’t remove me, I was going to investigate a class action lawsuit, or other legal action. She replied back, stating that their “hands were tied”. They couldn’t remove me just because I wanted them to.
It’s true that County Recorder property records are public. But California Government Code § 6254 21 prohibits government entities from posting recorder documents on the internet. Apparently there isn’t a section in the law (YET), which applies to a for-profit real estate site such as Blockshopper.com.
I have an uncommon name. It is galling and unacceptable that an entity would recklessly disregard public safety, intentionally create avenues for identity theft, and egregiously disrespect people’s wishes for privacy. Will it take a tragedy such as an ex-con kidnapping or injuring someone’s small children and resulting personal injury lawsuit to shut Blockshopper down?
There are many others who share my concerns, as evidenced by comments on two other blogs, links listed below. What’s unbelievable is that the founder of the company, Brian Timpone, claims he’s doing a public service by correcting inaccurate information. Um, I call BS. It’s difficult to believe that listing people’s home addresses and home purchase prices very publicly on the internet is to benefit the public good. This data is valuable to some, and Timpone’s mission, clearly, is to make money.
I have written my state assemblyman, state senator, and US Congress members requesting a change to the law to prohibit listing this information so publicly, or at least allow opting out. I encourage others who agree to do the same. In addition, I’ve logged complaints to the FTC, Dept of Consumer Affairs, Better Business Bureau, and complaintsboard.com. I’m appalled that the San Francisco Chronicle does business with these people, and will not buy the Chronicle until this is remedied (http://www.sfgate.com/realestate). I, for one, will not do business with any entity that is involved with Blockshopper.com. If enough people follow suit, maybe it will put them out of business.
If anyone is aware of class action legal action or a petition against these bottom feeders, please add details to the comments section.
A couple more blogs on Blockshopper below
http://mattdunlap.org/my-personal-blog/things-that-suck/blockshopper-com-gives-insight-into-why-they-use-your-information.html
© 2010, by blogspot.com user StopBlockshopper, may not publish or reprint without permission
