Google & Reverse Phone Lookups - Helpful or a Threat?

Summary

Enter a phone number in Google and you find a name, address, and mapped directions.

+ This is a helpful tool when you are trying to reach an unfamiliar home.

- On the other hand, it can be perceived as a privacy threat.

This document contains these sections:

• How to find a person by their phone number.
• How to enhance your privacy within Google.
• Related Information

Find a person with Google's reverse phone lookup:

1. Launch a browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
2. Go to Google.
   1. Either click here or
   2. Type this URL: http://www.google.com
3. Type an area code and phone number, e.g. 518-555-1234 (this one is fake; don't try it)
   Unlisted phone numbers will probably not return a result.
4. Type Enter or Return on your keyboard or single-click the Google Search button.
5. You have multiple choices at this point:
   • Learn the name of the person using that phone number.
   • Learn that person's address.
   • Map the address with either of two mapping sites, Yahoo! or MapQuest.
   • You may also click the link "Phonebook results for ...."

Enhance your privacy within Google - prevent reverse lookups:

1. Launch a browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
2. Go to Google.
   1. Either click here or
   2. Type this URL: http://www.google.com
3. Type your area code and phone number, e.g. nnn-nnn-nnnn
4. Type Enter or Return on your keyboard or single-click the Google Search button.
5. If you get a link similar to "Phonebook results for 518-555-1234," single-click it.
6. Print this page so you can remember the spelling of your name as Google knows it. You will need Google's exact spelling as your proceed.
7. Look for a line reading "If you would like to have your PhoneBook listing removed, you can do so using our PhoneBook Removal Form."
8. Single-click the link "PhoneBook Removal Form" and, referring to your printout, complete the form using the information as Google presented it.
9. A thank you message appears stating that the removal will take approximately 48 hours.

Related Information:

Google's removal page advises you of other reverse lookup sites. Note the list of links that you can follow to remove yourself from other services.

Verizon also has a reverse lookup service here or via this URL: http://www22.verizon.com/utilities/reverselookup

The Direct Marketing Association provides a consumer assistance Web site with links to remove yourself from mailing lists, telemarketing lists, email lists, etc. Click here or type this URL: http://www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html

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This page is maintained by Brien G. Muller, Computer Help Desk