1. An automated system for verifying data, the system comprising: an electronic data store that stores at least one data element associated with each of a plurality of individuals; and a computing device in communication with the electronic data store and that is configured to: retrieve from the electronic data store a plurality of data elements associated with an individual; select one or more of the plurality of data elements associated with the individual to be verified; electronically locate data similar to the selected one or more data elements associated with the individual on one or more network-accessible computing systems, wherein electronically locating the data similar to the selected one or more data elements comprises searching a plurality of websites for data associated with the individual; compare the selected one or more data elements to the similar located data; and based at least in part on the comparison, store one or more updated or appended data elements associated with the individual in the electronic data store, wherein the one or more data elements are updated or appended based at least in part on the located data.