LexisNexis® SmartLinx™ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

NOTE:

Please contact your Account Representative to request information on LexisNexis SmartLinx.

 

What are the benefits of SmartLinx™?

Everyone benefits from widely available, easy-to-use information resources. SmartLinx takes this one step further. SmartLinx helps crack down on fraud and identity theft, assists child support enforcement efforts, verifies property ownership, helps locate missing persons, and provides individuals with a quick and reliable method to verify information about themselves in public and non-public databases. SmartLinx is regularly refreshed providing reliable information.

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What is SmartLinx™?

SmartLinx is a business-to-business feature. Every SmartLinx customer enters into a subscription agreement limiting use of data to legal and appropriate uses. Because LexisNexis is not a consumer credit reporting agency, its customers are prohibited from using its information in connection with consumer credit transactions. Customers cannot use SmartLinx to determine a consumer's eligibility for employment, insurance for personal or household purposes, or governmental lease.

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When should I use SmartLinx™?

Use SmartLinx for the following types of research:

  • fraud and identity theft investigations
  • criminal investigations
  • fact gathering for lawsuits
  • child support enforcement efforts
  • title verification
  • missing persons searches
  • public and non-public database information verification
  • business research of competitors or potential merger/acquisition partners
  • commercial loan eligibility verification by banks (consumer credit uses are strictly limited by law)

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What type of personal information is available through SmartLinx™?

SmartLinx provides a one-stop way to search public records (information that is already available to anyone who wants to look it up). Unlike other public records databases, SmartLinx is not available to the general public. It is only available to qualified subscribers who sign a contract limiting their uses of the information to legitimate business needs.

A small number of databases that SmartLinx connects to include non-public information. These databases are not available to the general public in the form they appear on the LexisNexis® services. The owners of non-public information databases usually compile their information from multiple sources including a variety of public records. These non-public databases are only accessible to a select number of users who have agreed to limit their uses of the information.

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What exactly do you mean by "public records?"

The LexisNexis® services contain an enormous number of records created and maintained by the government. These records are open for public inspection, and include the following information:

  • federal and state court decisions
  • federal and state laws
  • real estate title records
  • Uniform Commercial Code filings

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What about my privacy?

We take your privacy very seriously. All LexisNexis® employees and subscribers are briefed on the importance of privacy. Moreover, the person locator services on our databases are accessible only to qualified subscribers, whose intent is to use the information solely for lawful and professional purposes. Our subscribers sign a contract that binds them to using the information in compliance with the law and with acceptable business practices. We educate our subscribers about the industry guidelines we support for responsible use of information.

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Does SmartLinx™ display Social Security numbers?

No. Social Security numbers are not displayed to general users of SmartLinx. If a Social Security Number is part of another piece of identification -- for instance, a judgment or liens filing, or the death master file -- then it may appear as it appears on that original document. Some users of SmartLinx who are engaged in security, anti-fraud, and criminal and civil court matters do have access to Social Security numbers. Before gaining access to this information, they must sign applications and legally binding agreements strictly limiting the use of this information to the uses described. Their applications are personally reviewed by a LexisNexis Vice-President and by the LexisNexis Legal Department.

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Are my medical or financial records available?

Absolutely not. The information in SmartLinx™ is taken from public records. Your private medical, financial, or credit records, identification of mothers' maiden names, or identification of Social Security numbers are not accessible through SmartLinx. SmartLinx complies with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act's limitations on access to consumer credit information.

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What about my driving record?

LexisNexis® fully complies with the strong protections of the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), the law limiting use of state motor vehicle records, and related state law.

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Does LexisNexis® sell lists of names to telemarketers?

Absolutely not. LexisNexis does not sell lists.

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