New Google feature!! -- SCARY!!!

[Kies99]

I just found a new (at least to me) Google feature that I am NOT happy with!

Little background. I sometimes get calls on my cell phone or my work phone (both with caller ID) from numbers I don't recognize. Sometimes they are toll-free numbers, other times they are direct area code numbers. I refuse to answer those. If they don't leave a message, I go to Google and type in the number. 9 times out of 10 I end up with websites were a bunch of other people have gotten calls from the same number and are trying to figure out what/who they are from. It's usually some business.

Fast forward to today. I get a call from a direct area code. Like normal I go out and Google it.

GUESS WHAT!! It gave the person name and address as well as provided a link to Google Maps showing exactly where they live!! I couldn't believe it!

Sure enough, I did my phone number and up it came!

Think how many times you get asked for your phone number at retail stores or other places. People could now find out your name and address just from that!!

I suggest you all go and check this out. There is the option to opt-out (takes 48 hours). I did this and so did my wife.

On a side note, two of my co-workers did not show up but both have unlisted numbers.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

That's been around for quite a few years now. Nothing new at all. Its not any different than having your name & phone# in the phone book with your address. How hard is it to look that up on a map? All that info has been around for DECADES!!! If you are that worried about it, it may be time to get an unlisted #.

There is even something called Google Latitude where you can sign-up your cell phone # & people can see where you are when you are out & about. You usually do it with a circle of friends though, I don't know if its something everyone can see. Good for hooking up with your friends in the city. Not an option I need, so I've passed on it, but its available.

 

[Liberty Belle]

It's amazing what you can do online.

I remember back in 97, when we first got the internet, I played trivia in a virtual chat community and told one of the regular trivia players my first name and the state I lived in. From that pm'd me a link to a map to my house!

 

[NMAmy]

That's been around for quite a few years now. Nothing new at all. Its not any different than having your name & phone# in the phone book with your address. How hard is it to look that up on a map? All that info has been around for DECADES!!! If you are that worried about it, it may be time to get an unlisted #.

Exactly. And while retailers may ask for my phone number, I'm usually writing them a check that has my name, address, and phone number on it. I've never had anyone hunt me down at my home.

The good news is that maybe it will cut down on prank phone callers if they find out that their victim can now stop by their house and tell their mom.

 

[Kies99]

As I said, this is new to me. In the past when I've tried finding this information on-line, it always wanted me to pay for it.

Do people still use phone books? I'm not even sure we get them anymore as mine is at least 6 years old.

 

[merryweather20]

This has been around for awhile. You can look up both your phone number and address with just your name, even back to the stone ages when you had to use a free phone book instead of a several hundred dollar computer plus internet hook-up.

Even if you didn't use google. There are other sites that have on line phone look-up as well. Google is just one of the many sites that offer this.

 

[merryweather20]

As I said, this is new to me. In the past when I've tried finding this information on-line, it always wanted me to pay for it.

Do people still use phone books? I'm not even sure we get them anymore as mine is at least 6 years old.

At least in Toronto we do someone just dropped off two new ones for our office today.

 

[mtdevine615]

And that's why we never give out our phone number. The area code is one thing but not out phone number.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

I'm unlisted and nothing comes up for my number.

 

[Allison]

This has been around for years. It's called reverse look-up if you go to whitepages. com. I have used it a lot. It's not just Google.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not new, I have been looking people up for yrs with it.

 

[bicker]

Think how many times you get asked for your phone number at retail stores or other places. People could now find out your name and address just from that!!

The key is to never give your telephone number to anyone other than people who you want to receive calls from. "Sorry; my telephone number is private."

 

[Lisa_M]

I just opted my parents out. On theirs, you click on the link and it shows it on the map with a picture of their house. Definitely scary. Since we don't have a landline it didn't come up with my cellphone, but I did check.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Google popped up with two phone number search engines. Our number is unlisted, but it comes up on a list and says further information is available for however much money. There is also an option to remove your information...FOR A FEE OF $4.95. Unbelievable.

 

[Maridw]

Just Googled my home phone and it came up. I clicked on "Remove this from list" and I entered my information and the reason why I wanted it removed with no charge.

I checked my parents number (which is a listed number) and my best friend's number and neither of them show up.

Our home phone is an unlisted number.

 

[kaytieeldr]

My name and city came up on Google - that's how I'm listed in the phone book, for security. An unlisted number costs money; omitting one's address doesn't

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I just looked up my cell. I find it funny that my address is available, but it has the town listed, and the town is wrong.

 

[OK!]

I just checked my cell # for funsies and, while it got the state right, the city and wireless carrier were wrong. It looked like a cheesy site that was going to try to con me into paying for the info, though, so take that for what it's worth.

 

[IDoDis]

I just opted my parents out. On theirs, you click on the link and it shows it on the map with a picture of their house. Definitely scary. Since we don't have a landline it didn't come up with my cellphone, but I did check.

Why is this scary? Unless the mob or a loan shark is after you or your parents, it's a non-issue.

Here's an easy solution for you that won't cost a dime. First, call the phone company and tell them you want your phone number listed your your first initial only and not your full name. This is free. Then, tell them your last name has changed. Just give them the new last name (aka your maiden name) and wa-laa! You now have an unlisted number but don't have to pay the monthly fee. Our phone has been under my maiden name since we've been married (18 years ago). I just never changed it. It's great because whenever I get a call and they ask for the person with my maiden name, I just say, "Wrong number" and then hang up. That tells me it was a solicitor because anyone that knows me or does business with me would not ask for me by my first initial and maiden name -- other than the phone company, that is .

 

[hemispheredancer]

Just give them a fictitious phone number. I randomly run them off. Never the same number, either.