Privacy/Maybe not!

[JPope]

Maybe this has been covered before, but received the attached from a friend, and was not aware that you could locate someone's house by simply knowing their phone number, no name, address etc!!! Dependant upon your personal philsophy about this, it may be a a concern or not? It worked for me and even got a map!! Now can find my way home!!!





Take a look at the note below - if you go to www.google.com <http://www.google.com/ and type in your telephone number it will actually pull up directions to your house. There is a way to have your number removed. Please read below.



Many people are unaware of this danger. I was, in fact!



Go to www.google.com <http://www.google.com/ then type in your phone number

(separated by hyphens, including area code) and click on Google Search. If your phone number is listed, it will show your name and address and give you two map options: Yahoo and MapQuest. See how accurate the map is to your home. VERY SCARY!!!



Any person wishing to discover the physical location of a phone number, be it a home or business address, could use this feature to locate a physical street address, and receive directions on how to get there from anywhere in the country. In the age of the internet communication we all know the dangers of this - for adults and CHILDREN! People you do not even know will not only have your name and phone number but they will also have complete and accurate directions to your home.



Google has made available an option that will allow anyone to REMOVE their telephone number from the database that is linked to the mapping feature.



You will first need to check if your number is listed in this manner by attempting a search- entering your full telephone number separated by dashes (e. g. 555-555-5555). If the number appears in the mapping database, an icon resembling a telephone will appear next to the first or second entry on the results page. Clicking on this icon will take you to a page containing a description of the service, and a link to request your number be removed from the database.



So far unlisted numbers and cell phone numbers, do not show up.

 

[RustyJC]

Yeah, I found this Google "feature" a few weeks ago. I gotta admit, it made me pucker up a little bit!



Rusty

 

[klenger]

Mine came up, but I moved from there over a year ago. If it's a listed number, it's all public information. They just made it easier to find. Kind of cool actually. I may use it in the future to get directions to places.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Found my old number, too. New one is unlisted to avoid telemarketers, so it doesn't show up. Then I searched on an old AF buddies name just out of curiosity. Haven't seen him in about 15 years. Found him. Makes me wonder where else I can go and what else I can find. Not too sure I really want to know.



Jim

 

[illflem]

I use this google feature quite often with classified ads, makes it easier to know where you need to go and how far it is before you call.

If you use the Mapquest option you can even get an aerial photo (if the area has been flown) with the phone number's location in the center then keep blowing it up till features as small as a car are clearly visible.

BTW no hyphens are necessary, straight numbers with no spaces work just the same.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Speaking about phone calls.

As I was listening to my messages today, I hear this digital message intended for my wife. All digital and poor quality, no human voice at all. After announcing it was for my wife, the message apologized if it was the wrong number. It then went on to list some options. I chose the hangup option. This was a new one for me.

 

[ronco]

My name shows up, but the map to my house is wrong! I live in a un-incorporated area and am served by a post office in a local town. I don't live in that town, and don't live in the county of that town. Internet maps are not 100% reliable, although I use them when I travel.





ronc