OT: google and your phone number
 

I normally don't forward things, but this one seems important, and I have tested it out for veracity. There is such a feature and there is also a Google "Google Phonebook Name Removal" form one can fill out.

----begin forward----
Google has implemented a feature wherein you can type someone's telephone number into the search bar, hit enter and then you will be given a map to their house.

Before forwarding this, I tested it by typing my telephone number in google.com search bar. My phone number came up, and when I clicked on the MapQuest link, it actually mapped out where I live.
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.

To test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: http://www.google.com/
Type your phone number in the search bar with or without dashes (i.e.555-555-1212 or 5555551212) and hit enter.

If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information,simply click on the telephone icon next to your phone number and wait to fill out the form. I removed my name, but it takes 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.

Forward this information on to friends and family that would like to remove this information. (If you want to.)

---end forward---

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

This is really nothing new. It's just a little easier now, but your personal information hasn't really been personal for years. Even before proliferation of the internet you could go to the local library and and lookup anyone's address in a reverse phone book. And once you have the address it's a simple matter to look it up on a map. This Google thing actually scares me less, because someone willing to go to all the trouble of going to the library and look me up probably wouldn't be too lazy to actually drive to my house. The same can't be said for someone idly clicking on google and mapquest. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

Doesn't work for me =D.

Brian

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

The phone book has your phone number and address in it, too. Just not automapping capibility.

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

The pros and cons of having information which was always available, become available to more than a knowledgeable few.

I use Google for many things. Do NOT go to catalogs.google.com but you might want to go to news.google.com and use the alerts feature. Do an involved search and turn it into an email notify of breaking stories. I have alerts for amoung other things my home town, for rarely seen friends, and most importantly for myself. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

Doesn't seem to work very well.

Great Cables . COM's phone number came up as something else. My federal work number didn't come up at all. My home number didn't come up and neither did my friend's. As to the last two, I'm thinking having an unlisted number might stop it from showing.

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

I should point out that the maps they provide are HORRIBLY in accurate. Out of 10 numbers, 6 were hits, and of those 6 not one of the maps was correct.

They do this for a reason. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

It sure waas accurate with mine. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

I think its only as accurate as the white pages are. It just takes the white-page listing and feeds the address it gives to a standard online mapping site like MapQuest (which I use A LOT)

Im abit surprised that it didnt work for me, and disappointed also. I guess its no big deal since my phone number, address, and a ton of info have been on the net for years.

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

Nothing came up for mine.

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

It doesn't seem to work for Canadian phone numbers.

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

All I have to say is, Those maps they provide are HORRIBLY inaccurate. They listed my dad as living on the extrem east of Battle Ground when in fact he lives near I-5 to the west.

The same goes for all the other maps they provided. They were off significantly. They do this so you don't enter a phone number then get the map and drive to the persons house and do something bad to them.

Think of it, if you could get the address for all of the telomarketors and collection companies that randomly call you, wouldn't you under a pshcotic break, go after them?

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

And this is worse than say, going to Superpages, how?

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

Not available in Canada. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

Doesn't work for Ireland either. But even if you have an unlisted number, the number of people who'd have access to where you live is still pretty long. Phone companies, gas, electricity, banks, libraries, airlines (if you've ever flown), and even taxi companies. Just found out if you book a taxi most companies will keep your details on file. Which was kinda freaky coz I rang a taxi from home yesterday, and the little recording voice came on with the usual "Thank you for calling..." then said "Press 1 to book a cab, press 2 for..." So I pressed 1, thinking I'd get put through to an operator. Instead, the same voice said, "Thank you, Tim, a taxi is now on it's way to [my address] now, and should arrive in 10minutes." Even stranger, 15mins later, my mobile phone rang and the little voice said, "You taxi is waiting outside." Freaky. Just plain freaky.

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

Add that to the reasons to own a gun.

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

Why would I want to shoot my taxi driver?

Re: OT: google and your phone number
 

No, you want to shoot the guy who hacked into the taxicab company and is coming for revenge because you stepped on his sandwich in third grade.