Phone Number Alert

C-Hawk · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 5:23 pm Post subject: Phone Number Alert

Subject: Phone Number Alert

Google has implemented a new feature wherein you can type someone's

telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and then you will be

given a map to their house. Before forwarding this, I tested it by typing

in several telephone numbers in google.com. Her phone number came

up, and when I clicked on the MapQuest link, it actually mapped out

where she lives. Quite scary. Please look up your own number. Read

below for details.

Think about it-if a child, single person, ANYONE gives out his/her phone

number, someone can actually now look it up to find out where he/she lives.

The safety issues are obvious, and alarming. This is not a hoax; MapQuest

will put a star on your house on your street. In order to test whether your

phone number is mapped, go to: www.google.com . Type your phone number

in the search bar with dashes (i.e., 555-555-1212)

(dashes & not spaces very important) and hit enter. This will divulge your

name and address. You will see a link option to the right for MapQuest

(click on it), which will use the address to provide a map to your home or

place of business. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your

private information, simply click on the telephone icon next to your phone

number and follow instructions. It takes about 48-hours. If you are

unlisted in the phone book, you might not be in there, but it is a

good idea just to check. Please forward on to friends and family.

Adeline · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 5:39 pm Post subject:

Roger, Thanks for the heads up. Frightening. I'm cell only and it could'nt find me. It did find my brother though. Pete

Da Nag · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 6:42 pm Post subject:

Truth is, any hope anyone has of privacy in this day and age is not founded in reality. Even the items one would assume are private (medical records, employment records, etc.) are roaming about the digital world relatively unfettered.

No, the Google search and subsequent street address mapping is not a hoax. Nor is it unusual; any of a number of sites can get you even more information on somebody for free, armed with just a phone number. If you are willing to cough up a few bucks, you can find out way more than a street address - virtually all public records, and many private ones are available with a few clicks of the mouse.

Yeah, it sucks. But in one way, I'm glad Google offers up this service; as high profile as they are, it generates discussions like this and educates folks as to how things really are. If Google dropped this service tomorrow, it wouldn't have the slightest effect on somebody armed with your phone number, with the intent on finding out info on you.

B~C · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 6:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks a bunch for the heads up Bill, we get some wackos at school (and that's just the administrators) and I'd just as soon they not know my number and adress.

TyBoo · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 7:56 pm Post subject:

Yeah, that's kinda spooky, all right. But it isn't new to Google. Been available for well over a year. The only reason I didn't say anything about it a long time ago is because I didn't want B~C to find out about it. Thanks a lot, Roger.

Wheeler Dealer · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 8:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks Roger,

We've been unlisted for about 15 years now. The lovely Terrie was on the radio at one time so we did this so the wacko's and administrators B~Cs school wouldn't call and have never changed. We don't show on this service but it is still amazing how many telemarketing calls we still get.

It's worth the extra couple of bucks to have your number unlisted for sure.

Jon

Les Lampman · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 10:25 am Post subject:

I might add here that it's really the ease and speed at which we can obtain the information that has changed...not the information itself. For years I've been able to look in a phone book (a readily available reverse directory, which now seems to be a common feature in the 'regular' phone books), find an address and look on a map to get directions. It's pretty hard to find fault in the information being available on-line; it's been in the public domain for ages (unless you're unlisted).

This is no way implies I like it but it does have a turn-about factor. If you should recieve a phone call that...let's say...is less than appropriate; it won't take very long on the computer to find out from where that call is originating (and I mean the actual physical address).

I use the lookup all the time along with my Caller ID; if I get a number I don't recognize a few minutes on the computer tells me whose call I missed and if it's a call I want to return...Uh, yes sir, I'm returning your call; I really do want to buy that gold-plated vacuum!...NOT!