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Google The Phone Number

By Cheryl Johnson

Industry Observer

July 31, 2007 02:19 PM

I'm posting this little trick just in case anyone reading here is not aware of it.

When I receive phone calls at home, I check the Caller ID before picking up the phone. If it is a number I don't recognize, I don't pick it up.

I've been getting so many calls from this particular number, I'd figured I'd Google the number and see what turned up.

Google the number? Yep, just type the telephone number in the Google search box, and hit search. If there is any reference at all to that number on the internet, Google will find it.

Well, there you go. Looks like my frequent caller wants to sell me life insurance. While I am, in fact, a firm believer in carrying life insurance, I am already well covered, and not particularly interested in taking their call.

Next time you see a number appearing frequently on your Caller ID, Google it!

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Mike Jones

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Useful! Thanks, Cheryl.

Jul 31, 2007 02:22 PM

delete account

Clayton, MO

Yes, I just used this the other day..I kept getting calls from a (410) number thats apparently a scam of some sort...trying to get personal information for identity theft by pretending to be a creditor. It's a scam that's really getting around apparently. Great post for letting people know they can use that site for that purpose. :)

Jul 31, 2007 02:27 PM

Catherine Myers

Windermere Bay Area Properties - Walnut Creek, CA

Walnut Creek, CA Real Estate

I always google calls I miss or otherwise don't recognize. If I'm at the computer, sometimes I even google it while its ringing and I can type fast enough that I can still decide if I want to answer it :)

Jul 31, 2007 02:36 PM

Judi Glamb

Coldwell Banker Hearthside - Hellertown, PA

Associate Broker, ABR

I also google phone numbers and/or use anywho.com. I'm pretty good at digging up information on people on the web! The internet can make your life so much easier when the red flags go up with clients or deals.

Jul 31, 2007 02:44 PM

Bob Carney

Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales - Mc Henry, MD

Licensed MD/PA Real Estate Agent

I used to use... ATT reverse look up. It looks like google is doing that now. But now as you can see above...you can tell if someone else blogged about it.

Pamela, 410 is around Baltimore MD, Maybe it was Margaret Rome calling to give you a referral...LOL.

Jul 31, 2007 02:47 PM

Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate

Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL

I never thought about Googling a phone number, Thanks Cheryl.

Jul 31, 2007 02:48 PM

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Yep, I do this all the time. Amazing how many numbers come up blank though.

Jul 31, 2007 02:50 PM

Bob Southard

Atlas Realty Service, LLC - Kennesaw, GA

e-Pro - Cobb,Cherokee,NorthFulton,Paulding,Bartow

I use Google all teh time to look up #'s for fsbo's and expired to get name and address. Its really fast and easy.

Jul 31, 2007 02:58 PM

John Hurlbut

Keller Williams - Puyallup - Puyallup, WA

This reminds me of a time a few years back when someone sent me an e-mail saying "BEWARE Google has your phone number!" and they instructed you to see if you could find your phone number on Google. It cracked me up because they were worried that someone now has "personal" information about you. Umm people, if your phone number is listed, there are a LOT of sites that have your phone number was my reply. Sorry, totally not on topic, but still cracks me up today.

Jul 31, 2007 04:16 PM

Sybil Holcomb

Ayres Realty - Douglasville, GA

I always Google any number I don't recognize. Don't we just love caller ID and the internet.

Jul 31, 2007 10:19 PM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Cheryl, never thought of using it this way. excellent advice and I will try it. Don't you love Google.

Jul 31, 2007 11:11 PM

Sarah Cooper

Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

My Mom does this with every phone call she gets at work. I should do it more often!

Jul 31, 2007 11:49 PM

Becky Troutt

No longer practicing real estate as of 2008. - Bradenton, FL

As much as I Google things, I hadn't even thought about doing this for phone numbers. Thanks for the idea!!

Jul 31, 2007 11:52 PM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

I love all the things you can do with google. I use this function and I also will type in an error message or virus message to get info on those as well.

Aug 01, 2007 03:01 PM

Linda Reynolds

Bradenton Real Estate - Linda Reynolds - Bradenton, FL

Bradenton Real Estate

Handy tool, don't know why I never thought of that.

Aug 01, 2007 11:04 PM

Ginger S

Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC

Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

I Google numbers all the time. Especially leads that come in..

.Ginger

Aug 02, 2007 03:03 AM

Rosemary Brooks

BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA

The Mother & Daughter Realty Team

I never have used it, will try it next time. Thanks for the update.

Aug 11, 2007 02:07 PM

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