IRON MOUNTAIN -- It's pretty common to hear warnings from teachers or employers about the dangers of posting information on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.  But now because of information, websites like Spokeo it's likely nobody's information is entirely safe.

Some of the information is similar to what you would find in the White Pages like addresses and phone numbers.  But the website also includes more detailed information like age, marital status and hobbies.

“That's scary that they can have that much information on you," said Bob Ramels.

Ramels isn't part of Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media website.  But when he searched his name Tuesday on Spokeo, he found all of his personal information.

"Is this what Internet has done?  Basically given up everyone's privacy?” Ramels asked.  “There are all sorts of information on here that could be captured by people."

Spokeo is one of more than 100 websites on the Internet that specialize in providing detailed information on individual people.  For only a small subscription fee on Spokeo, you have access to photos, social media pages, and even estimated income of just about anyone in the country.

Privacy experts say these websites appear to be using public records and aren't doing anything illegal.

"There's a lot of information that is out there which, if you don't look at it in the aggregate, it seems like it may be rather harmless,” said Paul Stephens, the Director of Policy and Advocacy with the non-profit organization, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.  “The problem is you have one huge database and provide an opportunity for someone to do one stop shopping." 

These websites are also becoming a concern for police who see potential abuse among criminals and predators.

"What makes it difficult for us to try and prevent crime is when the criminals know more about the potential victims than law enforcement," said Michigan State Police Lieutenant Chris Sholander.

The Federal Trade Commission is considering regulations against websites like Spokeo, but it's far from a done deal.

Experts say a consumer's best defense is to opt out of these websites when it’s available...which is far from any relief for Becky Schinderle.

"It's pretty scary, it can be dangerous,” said Schinderle.  “I mean, just think who can use that against you."  

You can see the list of online information brokers and which websites you can opt out of here.

(UPDATE 6:35 p.m.)

Upper Michigan's Source has received an e-mail from Spokeo in response to our story.

Dear Mr. Martin,

Thank you for your interest in Spokeo.

We value people's privacy and feedback.  The driving force behind our product was to create a more efficient and user-friendly people-search engine that would allow users to locate information and keep up with their friends more easily.  It’s important to understand, however, that offering a more efficient mechanism by which to pull together information is not the same as providing greater access to personal information.

Thanks to Spokeo’s efficient and user-friendly approach, people use Spokeo for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:  locating family members and old friends, managing online reputation, and organizing their contact's many online public profiles and updates through our import feature.

Unlike many other online directories, Spokeo is committed to privacy and transparency and does not possess Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, bank accounts or other private information.

Also, although the information is public, we offer a free opt-out feature through an easy email verification process.  It is noteworthy that few search engines offer a full opt-out feature, or if they do, make it remotely as easy to use.  The small percentage that do offer this option frequently employ lengthy and demanding authentication processes, often requiring one to submit hard copies of driver’s licenses, social security numbers, or other forms of identity via fax or mail.