Scary Situation-Phone/Address Safety

[tink2dw]

Phone/Address Safety

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. Think about it-if a child, single person, ANYONE gives out his/her phonenumber, 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 actually put a star on your
house on your street. In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: http://www.google.com and type your phone number in the search bar with dashes (i.e.555-555-1212)and hit enter.

NOTE: If your phone number is not publicly listed, you should be fine. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on the telephone icon next to your phone number. You will see a link where you are allowed to REMOVE yourself. Even though it asks for your email address, this isn't necessary to enter to get yourself
removed.

Google also gives you several other links to places that have your info. By checking there privicy policies I have been able to delete our info from about 1/2 of them. Some even link to backgroud checks anyone can get!!

Tell your friends and family about this security glitch!!

 

[Karista]

Definitely scary. I just typed in a handful of people I know, including my elderly MIL, and the names and addresses and links to maps just popped right up. Just think about all of the people and businesses that have caller ID and have your phone number without you even giving it to them.

 

[Cindy B]

Its been like that for ages..

 

[Minniespal]

Very scary!!!!

 

[PamOKW]

This is not new. It is also far from the only way to get this information. You may find your town has the tax records on-line. All someone needs to do is type in either the address or your name get all kinds of information.

This can also be done with just your name and town if you are listed in the phone book. I could look a person up either on-line or the old-fashioned way in the phone book. Type your address into any of a multitude of map programs and get driving directions. Heck, I guess if my car were equiped with the new systems I could just type it in there and drive on over.

The "horse is out of the barn", high tech has made life easier both for the good and the bad.

This does point out why it is so important, especially for children, not to give out personal information on-line. With just a little bit of info, a person can find out a lot about you.

 

[tink2dw]

It took about an hour last night to delete our ph# and personal info from 6 other sites.

First I deleted our phone number from Google. In their delete box it lists other sites that may have your phone number so I went to those sites and seleted our phone number and deleted it.

And in the process I found out that they are ONLY suppose to be listing Business phone numbers. So, If they list your residents
ph # they give you a delete process!! .

I know we are never truely safe but at least I can do my part to keep maps from popping up for complete strangers.

 

[*Flower*]

Our phone number is listed on Google........

However- it's listed WITHOUT an address, so when the Mapquest box comes up........ it shows a location MILES away!!! (Like 20 or so)

 

[JohnTBap]

Thanks for reminding us.