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Cancel Public Data Check: The Right Way
Learn how to cancel Public Data Check easily. Protect your privacy with our guide. Tocancel rating: 4.8/5. Start your cancellation today!
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How to cancel public data check and protect your privacy in new zealand
What is public data check
Public Data Check is an online background screening service that compiles personal information from public records and open sources into a single report. You might use it to vet tenants, screen job applicants, or conduct general background searches. The service operates from the United States and pulls data from court records, tribunal filings, Companies Office records, news archives, and other publicly available sources.
How the service works
When you run a check through Public Data Check, the platform searches across 12 or more public databases and aggregates the results into one consolidated report. You pay per individual check rather than through a monthly subscription model. This pay-as-you-go approach appeals to property managers, recruiters, and business owners who conduct screening on an irregular basis.
Where public data check operates
Public Data Check is based in the United States and does not maintain a publicly listed office in New Zealand. When you need to cancel your account or request data deletion, you will communicate with their US-based support team or submit formal requests by post. This geographical distance does not affect your consumer rights under New Zealand law, as Tocancel explains in detail below.
Understand your rights before you cancel
Your consumer rights under New Zealand law apply regardless of where Public Data Check operates.
Your legal position under the consumer guarantees act 2015
The Consumer Guarantees Act 2015 gives you the right to receive goods or services that are of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and safe. If Public Data Check fails to deliver accurate reports, stores your data insecurely, or continues charging you after you have cancelled, you have grounds to complain to the Commerce Commission. In plain language, this means the company must honour its cancellation requests and refund charges if they continue without consent.
Your right to privacy is also protected under the Privacy Act 2020, which requires businesses to handle personal information fairly and securely. If you ask Public Data Check to delete your account data, they must comply within a reasonable timeframe or explain why they cannot.
What you can do if they refuse
If Public Data Check ignores your cancellation request or continues to charge you after you have cancelled, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer protection regulator. Tocancel recommends that you keep copies of all cancellation emails and payment records as evidence. The Commerce Commission handles complaints at no cost to you and can compel the company to refund charges.
Pricing and billing structure
Understanding your costs helps you decide whether cancellation or suspension makes sense for your situation.
Current pricing for public data check
| Check type | Cost (NZD) | Billing method | What you receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Check (standard) | NZ$3.00 + 15% GST | Per individual check | Searches 12+ public sources including court records, tribunal orders, news archives, and publicly available police records |
| Public Check API | NZ$1.95 + 15% GST | Per check via application interface | Bulk or automated screening through direct API integration for high-volume users |
| Account setup | No fixed fee | One-time (if charged) | Account creation and verification |
How GST applies to your charges
All prices shown exclude the 15% Goods and Services Tax that applies to digital services in New Zealand. A single standard check at NZ$3.00 becomes NZ$3.45 when GST is added. Public Data Check does not offer a monthly or annual subscription plan; you pay only for the individual checks you conduct. This means you can control your spending by running checks only when you need them.
Why you might want to cancel
Your reasons for cancelling are as valid as your original reasons for signing up.
Common reasons to cancel public data check
You might cancel if you no longer conduct background checks, have concerns about how your account data is stored or shared, or simply want to stop spending on the service. If you signed up for a single application and do not plan to screen candidates or tenants again, cancellation stops you from accumulating small per-check charges. Privacy concerns are also legitimate; if you value data minimisation, you may prefer to delete your account and request removal of your search history entirely.
Some users discover that the service does not provide the depth or quality of information they expected, or that public records alone do not meet their vetting needs. In those cases, cancellation frees you to explore alternatives.
Reasons you might keep your account active
If you run a property management business, recruitment agency, or hire regularly, Public Data Check remains cost-effective. At NZ$3.00 to NZ$3.45 per check, it is cheaper than manual research, and the aggregated reports save hours of work. You can also suspend activity by simply not running new checks, rather than cancelling your account entirely.
How to cancel public data check
Your cancellation method depends on how you signed up and where you made payments.
Cancel through the apple app store
If you subscribed via the Apple App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you cancel directly through Apple's settings.
- Open Settings on your Apple device and tap your name at the top.
- Select Subscriptions from the menu.
- Find Public Data Check in your list of active subscriptions.
- Tap the subscription and select Cancel Subscription.
- Confirm your cancellation when prompted.
- Apple processes the cancellation directly; Public Data Check cannot override it.
- Your access ends immediately, but you may retain cached data on your device.
- Apple issues a refund to your payment method if you cancel within the first 14 days of the subscription period.
- Check your email for Apple's cancellation confirmation.
- Save this email as proof of cancellation.
Cancel through the google play store
If you subscribed via Android or the Google Play Store, cancel through Google's subscription manager.
- Open Google Play on your Android device and tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select Payments and subscriptions.
- Tap Subscriptions.
- Find Public Data Check and select it.
- Tap Cancel subscription and confirm.
- Google processes cancellations immediately; charges stop at your next billing date.
- You will receive a confirmation email from Google.
- Save your confirmation email for your records.
- This serves as evidence if disputes arise later.
Cancel a direct web subscription or account
If you signed up directly on Public Data Check's website and paid by credit card or other methods, you must contact their support team or submit a formal cancellation request by post.
- Visit the Public Data Check website and locate their contact or support page.
- Look for a "Contact us" link, email address, or live chat option.
- If no cancellation option appears in your account settings, email their support team directly.
- Send a cancellation request that includes your account details.
- Write: "I request immediate cancellation of my Public Data Check account and all associated services."
- Include your account email, username, and any order reference numbers.
- Ask for written confirmation of the cancellation date.
- Keep a copy of your email for proof.
- If you receive no response within 7 business days, send a formal letter by post to their registered address (see the address section below).
- Use registered or tracked mail so you have proof of delivery.
- Include the same account details and a statement: "I formally cancel all services effective immediately and request confirmation in writing."
- Monitor your payment method for any further charges.
- Report any post-cancellation charges to your bank immediately.
After you cancel: what happens next
Cancellation does not end instantly; understanding the timeline helps you track the process and spot problems early.
Immediate effects of cancellation
Once you submit your cancellation request, your access to run new checks stops right away if you cancelled through an app store. If you cancelled via email or post, Public Data Check should confirm receipt and honour your request within 7 to 14 business days. You will lose the ability to access your account dashboard and run new reports, but your historical data may remain on their servers until you explicitly request deletion.
Billing after cancellation
App Store and Google Play cancellations take effect at your next scheduled renewal date; you will not be charged again. Direct web account cancellations should stop all charges once Public Data Check acknowledges your request. However, monitor your bank or credit card statements for 30 days after cancellation to catch any unauthorized charges. If you spot a charge after cancellation, contact your bank immediately and inform the Commerce Commission.
Data deletion and privacy requests
Cancellation ends your account access but may not delete your personal data. Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to request deletion of your account information and search history. Send a separate data deletion request to Public Data Check's support team if you want them to purge your account details. Tocancel advises that you keep copies of all data requests and confirmations in case disputes arise later.
Refunds after cancellation
Your refund eligibility depends on how and when you cancelled.
App store refunds
Apple App Store refunds apply only if you cancel within 14 days of the start of your subscription billing period. If you cancel outside that window, no refund applies; you will simply stop being charged going forward. To request a refund after 14 days, open a dispute with Apple directly through the App Store app or website.
Google play refunds
Google Play allows refunds within 48 hours of the first charge in a billing cycle. If you cancel outside this window, no refund is issued, but charges cease. Visit Google Play to request a refund if you believe you are entitled to one.
Direct web account refunds
Public Data Check should refund any charges made after your cancellation request is received, provided their support team confirms receipt within 7 days. If you paid for per-check credits that you did not use, contact their support team to ask whether unused credits are refundable. Under consumer law in New Zealand, you are entitled to a refund if the service was not delivered or if you cancelled within a reasonable time and the company failed to stop charges.
Common mistakes that delay cancellation
Cancellation feels frustrating when it stalls; knowing the pitfalls helps you avoid them.
Mistake 1: cancelling via email alone without follow-up
Sending one email to Public Data Check is a start, but if they do not respond within a week, they may be ignoring your request. Always follow up with a phone call or a formal letter by post. Tocancel recommends you send a registered letter after 7 days of email silence; this creates a paper trail and shows the Commerce Commission that you made a genuine effort to cancel.
Mistake 2: assuming app cancellation cancels your web account
If you subscribed through both an app store and the web, you must cancel both separately. Cancelling your Apple App Store subscription does not automatically cancel a direct web account or a Google Play subscription. Check all your payment methods and subscription services to ensure you cancel every instance.
Mistake 3: not checking your statements for 30 days
Charges can slip through even after you cancel, especially if Public Data Check's payment processor is slow to process the cancellation. Review your bank or credit card statement for the 30 days following cancellation. If you spot an unauthorized charge, contact your bank immediately and ask them to dispute the transaction.
Mistake 4: failing to document your cancellation requests
Keep screenshots of every email you send, every confirmation number you receive, and every statement showing the cancellation date. If a dispute arises, these records prove to the Commerce Commission that you acted in good faith and that Public Data Check failed to honour your request.
Checklist for successful cancellation
Work through this list to ensure your cancellation is complete and your account is fully closed.
| Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify all subscription methods | Check Apple App Store, Google Play, and your direct web account for active subscriptions or accounts | ☐ |
| 2. Cancel via app store | If applicable, cancel through Apple Settings or Google Play following the steps above | ☐ |
| 3. Email cancellation request | Send a formal cancellation email to Public Data Check support with your account details | ☐ |
| 4. Wait 7 days for response | Monitor your email for a confirmation reply from their support team | ☐ |
| 5. Send registered letter if needed | Mail a formal cancellation letter to their postal address if email goes unanswered | ☐ |
| 6. Monitor charges for 30 days | Review your bank and credit card statements to ensure no post-cancellation charges appear | ☐ |
Contact Public Data Check for cancellation and support
You will need their postal address and contact information to complete your cancellation if email or app store methods do not work.
Public Data Check mailing address
Public Data Check is based in the United States and operates no confirmed New Zealand office. Send all formal cancellation requests and data deletion requests by registered or tracked post to their US address. Include your account email, username, and a clear statement requesting immediate cancellation and written confirmation. Tocancel advises using services such as New Zealand Post's international tracked mail to ensure proof of delivery.
Contact their support team via their website first before resorting to postal mail, as email is faster and creates an immediate digital record of your request.
Escalate to the commerce commission if needed
If Public Data Check refuses to cancel your account, continues to charge you after cancellation, or ignores your requests, you can lodge a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission at no cost.
How to complain to the commerce commission
Visit the Commerce Commission's website (www.comcom.govt.nz) and select "Make a complaint". Provide details of your cancellation attempts, copies of all emails and postal records, a timeline of charges after cancellation, and the amount you dispute. The Commerce Commission investigates and can order the company to refund you or cease unauthorized charges. This step is free and usually takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Your legal backup: chargeback through your bank
If Public Data Check charges you after you have cancelled and cancelled again through your bank, you can ask your bank to reverse the transaction as unauthorized. This is called a chargeback. Your bank will investigate and typically side with you if you provide proof that you cancelled (email confirmation, screenshots, registered mail receipts). This process usually takes 7 to 10 business days, and your bank is obligated by law to act on your request.
Key takeaway: you have the power to cancel
Cancelling Public Data Check is straightforward if you follow the steps that match your subscription method. Whether you subscribed through an app store or directly on their website, your consumer rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 2015 and Privacy Act 2020 protect you. If the company resists, the Commerce Commission has your back.
Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted services, recover unauthorized charges, and reclaim their privacy. Document every cancellation attempt, monitor your statements, and escalate to the Commerce Commission if needed. You are not stuck with this service, and you do not owe Public Data Check continued business if you no longer want it. Take action today, and regain control of your account.