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 Mapquest, 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 mom's number and it came up along with the Mapquest and directions straight to her house.
In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to Google.com (http://www.google.com/). Type your phone number in the search bar in this format (555)555-5555 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. Although this may not apply to you if you have an unlisted number or cell phone as primary contact, but you may know someone who needs to know this. This could be very terrible if a child gave out their phone.
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Another site to check is dogpile.com...they also have a reverse look-up for phone numbers. Its not quite as obvious as Google. You first have to go to dogpile.com....then click on *white pages* without putting any info in...then click on *go fetch* and it brings up a page with *reverse lookup* on the top of the page.
Thank you so much. I followed your directions, and at the end, you can click on other search engines and remove your info from them too. Best hint of the week!
Thank you very much. I have removed my and my husband's names. This was a surprise.
I must have done something wrong. When I clicked on my telephone number after all the info you mentioned came up, I didn't get the "remove instructions". I just got the message that "Your search did not match any documents". What did I do wrong?
Ok Jeanne..great info but I also was unable to find a link to delete our # from here....HELP...thanks..... Holly
Didn't show a thing on my home number or my office numbers.
need to bring up google.com type in phone # you dont need a 1 first once youe see your name come up ,clink on PHONE BOOK RESULTS you will at that point remove your phone number good luck and keep safe
I did it and it put in a different person and address from mine, lol. So dont guess I will worry about it for myself. Thanks though, I am going to spread the message.
I tried it with my phone number and google couldn't find any matches.Is that only for the US?I am in Canada.
Editor's Note: It maybe that you have better laws in Canada about phone numbers. You could try going to www.google.ca/
What is this world coming to? I couldn't believe my eyes as I was reading about reverse phone books. On the removal page for Google, they tell you of 6 other sites that does the same thing.
I tried this & it said no information was available. I put 3 different phone numbers in that I know are legitimate. I followed your directions exactly. One was the policy departments number of my local town.
This was posted in 2007 so it is likely that Google no longer does this. Probably was deactivated due to privacy concerns.
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