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Be Careful With Your Phone Number
By Cynthia Kirkeby
Jul 22, 2007, 12:08pm
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Google has implemented a reverse phone look-up on their website which poses a safety hazard for you. To be safe, you should request the removal of your home phone number.
I received an alert from Bob Engert of RE/MAX in Greater Atlanta telling me that Google now has a reverse phone look-up. Although there are quite a few of these already on the Internet, Google's reverse phone number look-up is extremely easy, which makes it more dangerous. Unlike the other services, you can remove your phone number from Google's service.
If your folks don't have your address listed in the phone book, like me, it's not really as much of an issue. When someone looks up my phone number they get my name and city, but not my address. However, for the average family, looking up your phone number will give an unwelcome intruder your name, address, and a map straight to your house.
To find our how your home shows up, simply go to Google, type in your phone number (including area code) and see if your address is listed. If it is, when you click on the map link, you'll be mapped straight to your house.
SCARY!
To have your phone number removed from the reverse lookup on Google, simply click on the listing where it says: "Phonebook results for xxx-xxx-xxxx." There will be a link below your information that says: "
Request to have your name removed from this list" If you fill out the subsequent form, you name will be permanently removed. You cannot have your number added back into the system. However, it will not remove you from any of the other services listed. It should take about 48 hours for your information to be removed.
Always be very very careful about giving out your home phone number. Then, remove your phone number. It's not perfect, but it's a start. Be sure to warn your friends about the dangers of giving out their phone number as well. In this age of information, you can find out tons of information about someone with only their phone number. It's much better to be safe than sorry.
© Copyright 2007 by Classbrain.com
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