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Google & phone numbers, SCARY!!!

By
Real Estate Agent with KeySouth Real Estate Group 301335

 

I received this email this morning and want to pass it on to the ActiveRain community.  As Business professionals, we have to do self promotion which entails getting our contact info out to the consumer.  It is just the nature of business especially with real estate, nothing we can do about it.  But just want to warn everyone, DO NOT GIVE OUT YOUR LAND-LINE # TO YOUR HOME OR HOME OFFICE!!!

Read this and try it out!

 

Google has implemented a new feature which enables you to type a telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and you will be given the person's name and address. If you then hit Map you will get a map to the person's house. Everyone should be aware of this! It's a nationwide reverse telephone book.

If a child gives out his/her phone number, someone can now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming!!!

Note that you can have your phone number removed or blocked. I tried my number and it came up along with the mapquest and directions straight to our house. I did fill out the removal form for myself, and encourage all of you to do the same. Quite scary!

Please look up your own number!!!!!!!

In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: Google ( http://www.google.com/) Type your phone number in the search bar (i.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on your telephone number and then click on the Removal Form. Removal takes 48-hours.

Check your own number and (although this may not apply to you if you have an unlisted number or cell phone as primary contact).

You may know someone else who needs to know this .

Please share this information with friends & family!!

Comments (10)

Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA

Saw this before but it's always a good thing to see this type of stuff again.

Apr 16, 2008 06:34 AM
Dave Woodson
Dave Woodson - Chesterton, IN
Not the Average Agent
Yep, it found me, hopefully, I can get lost again. 
Apr 16, 2008 06:42 AM
Bob Southard
Atlas Realty Service, LLC - Kennesaw, GA
e-Pro - Cobb,Cherokee,NorthFulton,Paulding,Bartow
It is a littel scary but i use the feature all the time to reverse search phone numbers.  so I gues there is some good with the bad
Apr 16, 2008 06:44 AM
Linda Tremblay
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, PA License #AB065488 - Doylestown, PA
Associate Broker - Bucks County, PA Real Estate Services
Thanks for the info.  Definitely worth knowing about, especially for anyone who has small children at home. It is such a shame that we constantly have to be on guard anymore.
Apr 16, 2008 06:54 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re
Thanks for the info I tried it and it found me I guess I don't worry about it if they want to find me they can a number of ways.
Apr 16, 2008 06:59 AM
Mary Smartt
Lawton Associates / www.LawtonAssociates.com - Berkeley, CA
Smartt Moves with Mary Smartt
This feature has been on Google for many years.  I don't believe this works with cell phones. 
Apr 16, 2008 08:30 AM
Peter Wolf
Coldwell Banker - Valley Village, CA
My cell phone is my business phone.  Giving out home numbers is a little dicey.  I like the separation.  Psychologically, it helps me remember that my business is not my life.
Apr 16, 2008 09:33 AM
John Wojtasiak
eXp Realty - Chesapeake, VA
You can also do a reverse lookup on www.whitepages.com and it will do the same thing.
Apr 28, 2008 01:18 AM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

Watch out you mystery real estate Voyeurs, maybe next there will be a lookup for email addresses so no more iwillnottellyoumyname@nottelling.com

Apr 28, 2008 01:35 AM
Frances C. Rokicki
Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC - Bolton, CT
Broker-Mentor,CRS

Good information to add to my CAP letter to my database, thanks!

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Apr 28, 2008 02:03 AM