Google.com has implemented a new feature by which you can type someone's telephone number into its search bar, hit enter, and then see the person's telephone number and address - along with a map to the person's house!
Everyone should be aware of this! When I entered our telephone
number,the telephone number, street address, and a map of where we lived came back in seconds. If a child, ANYONE, gives out his or her telephone number, someone can actually look it up on the Google site to find out where the person lives. The safety issues are obviously alarming.
To test whether your telephone number pull up this information on the
Google site, first go to www.google.com. In the rectangular search bar,
type in your full ten-digit telephone number - and hit enter. If your
telephone number is in Google's system, you will see on the next screen
under the heading "Phone Book Results" your telephone number, your
name, your address, and two map directory prompts (one is "Yahoo! Maps" and the other is "MapQuest"). All you then need to do is click on either of the two map directory sites and a layout of your where you live will appear.
You can have this information removed or blocked. When the above screen displays, click on your telephone number. The page that next appears will
show the same information, below which you will see the notation "If you
would like to have your Phone Book list removed, you can do so by using our Phone Book Removal Form." Click on the Phone Book Removal Form prompt and a form will be displayed. Fill out the form as indicated.
Removal takes 48 hours.
Quite scary.
Everyone should be aware of this! When I entered our telephone
number,the telephone number, street address, and a map of where we lived came back in seconds. If a child, ANYONE, gives out his or her telephone number, someone can actually look it up on the Google site to find out where the person lives. The safety issues are obviously alarming.
To test whether your telephone number pull up this information on the
Google site, first go to www.google.com. In the rectangular search bar,
type in your full ten-digit telephone number - and hit enter. If your
telephone number is in Google's system, you will see on the next screen
under the heading "Phone Book Results" your telephone number, your
name, your address, and two map directory prompts (one is "Yahoo! Maps" and the other is "MapQuest"). All you then need to do is click on either of the two map directory sites and a layout of your where you live will appear.
You can have this information removed or blocked. When the above screen displays, click on your telephone number. The page that next appears will
show the same information, below which you will see the notation "If you
would like to have your Phone Book list removed, you can do so by using our Phone Book Removal Form." Click on the Phone Book Removal Form prompt and a form will be displayed. Fill out the form as indicated.
Removal takes 48 hours.
Quite scary.
