Consumer Alert
MyLife accused of posting misleading background reports
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.
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In reply to Just recieved an email from by Dennis
In reply to What is the status of the FTC 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.
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.