Author Topic: Google your #!!  (Read 4454 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

MassMama

  • Guest
Google your #!!
« on: Oct 28, 2007, 09:23:34 AM »
FYI, Please share this information with friends and family.

 

 

 
Google has implemented a new feature which enables you to type a telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and you will be given the person's name and address. If you then hit MapQuest, you will get a map to the person's house. Everyone should be aware of this!  It's a nationwide reverse telephone book. 


If a child gives out his/her phone number, someone can now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming.


Note that you can have your phone number removed or blocked. I tried  my  number and it came up along with the mapquest and directions straight to our house. I did fill out the removal form for myself, and encourage all of you to do the same. Quite scary.


Please look up your own number.


In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: google (http://www.google.com/) Type your phone  number in the search bar (i.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on your telephone  number and then click on the Removal Form. Removal takes 48-hours.


Check your own number and although this may not apply to you if you have an unlisted number or cell phone as primary contact, but you may know someone who needs to know this.


Please share this information with friends and family

I just got this in an e-mail.. I thought it would be great for alot of us here with kids :ThumbUp:

Offline Patty S

  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1,544
Re: Google your #!!
« Reply #1 on: Oct 28, 2007, 10:17:36 AM »
Thanx for sharing this info, Rita. I plan to pass this on during announcement time at church this morning, in case anyone keeps their phone number on their key ring, & will also ask the Principal of our school to send an alert out to the parents.

I'm glad that there is a way to delete or block the phone numbers, as many people put that information on their kids' lunch boxes, bicycles, jackets & backpacks.

Offline Tina

  • Elite Member
  • *
  • Posts: 34,339
  • Naughty Nymph
Re: Google your #!!
« Reply #2 on: Oct 28, 2007, 10:48:33 AM »
I heard this from a friend a few months ago. I blocked my number from this domain as well.It takes a few days to block. But there are others that a savvy computer person can use to find you. By the way, I found this feature really convenient while trying to track down my wayward child's friends.
Friends are like bras, close to your heart and all about support

Offline Patty S

  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1,544
Re: Google your #!!
« Reply #3 on: Oct 28, 2007, 11:50:43 AM »
After reading this earlier, I've spent some time cruising around the Web to see if there were other sites that provide a reverse directory, & there are MANY! :yikes:

whitepages.com & yellowbook.com both have the same feature, & there are many others that require registration in order to reveal results of the search... & yet others, who require a fee for a host of info, such as criminal history, e-mail addresses, every address you've ever had, & anything that has been a part of public domain records (coming from court records, DMV records, household utility use, etc.).

While this feature may be handy in locating old friends (or as in Tina's case, to find acquaintances of a runaway child), I think it puts people in a position of being helpless when it comes to protecting themselves. My husband is in management at a large company, & since he has the ability to hire & fire employees, I've always been concerned that a disgruntled person might seek revenge on him after being discharged. (I'm not the "reactionary" type person, but having this information so readily available certainly doesn't ease my mind!)  I view it as a general threat to our security & an invasion of privacy.

Offline Jim

  • Administrator
  • *
  • Posts: 4,318
  • What have I gotten myself into?
    • KT4JK Amateur Radio Web Page
Re: Google your #!!
« Reply #4 on: Oct 28, 2007, 02:31:56 PM »
This is not new.  This has been available in some form on the internet since 2002.  It doesn't work for every phone number.  If you have yours classed as unlisted or have let your local phone company know that you don't want your phone number given our by directory assistance, then it won't be listed.

This link has some additional information.   
Former SMF Support Specialist

Offline patches

  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3,073
Re: Google your #!!
« Reply #5 on: Oct 28, 2007, 02:45:14 PM »
Oh geesh, this is really scary,  :SmileyFear: especially with all the things going on today.  I'm surprised Dateline didn't let people know about this when they were doing those stories about Online Predators.   :ScratchHead:
"Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen!"

Offline Dianna

  • Administrator
  • *
  • Posts: 15,755
  • Angel With The Halo!
    • Fallen Angels Karaoke Entertainment
Re: Google your #!!
« Reply #6 on: Oct 28, 2007, 11:20:42 PM »
This is not new.  This has been available in some form on the internet since 2002. 

I haven't been aware of this, but at least I have Jim to keep me straight on everything. My head must have been in the clouds when this first came out... :Whis:

I just tried this with our number and it said information not available. Thank you, Jim! :-*
« Last Edit: Oct 28, 2007, 11:22:18 PM by Dianna »
"Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success." - Lao Tzu

christy

  • Guest
Re: Google your #!!
« Reply #7 on: Oct 29, 2007, 12:50:11 AM »
 :ScratchHead: i just did my number n it said i lived in claysville  :nutz: claysvilles 10min down the road  i live in a  :Whis:   :Whis:   :Whis:   :Whis: a

it also said theirs a 4.95 charge for takin the info off!   n you can buy the full report, i wanna know weres my payment is for them making money off me n my info???

im listed as unlisted, wonder if the person who had my number before me lived in claysville?
oops the google gave me nothin that was  one of the adds on the side.
this is a act against our privacys!  n should be against the law!  we should have rights even on the internet  :Vent: 
 :ScratchHead:  nother one just said i live in taylorstown, bout 5min away, 
« Last Edit: Oct 29, 2007, 01:20:05 AM by christy »

Offline patches

  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3,073
Re: Google your #!!
« Reply #8 on: Oct 29, 2007, 02:05:44 AM »
Geesh, I just did this and mine came up!   :Vent:  Well, I guess this means I better not flunk any of my students or they may come looking for me.   :scaredy:  The information available on the internet these days is getting pretty scary!!!  :SmileyFear:
"Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen!"

Offline Tonya

  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1,857
Re: Google your #!!
« Reply #9 on: Oct 29, 2007, 08:06:07 AM »
Thanks for the tip, Rita!! Ours is unlisted, but I am gonna check anyway! :ThumbUp: Good posting, Rita!!

 

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal