Comments for I Googled my phone number and it turned up my home address - is that legal?

Comment from Cecil on 2009-03-28

2009-03-28T11:17:57Z

One does not need their address published. When I moved over 20 years ago, I change my phone number and instructed the phone company to keep my address private. Unlike an unlisted phone number, there was no charge for keeping just the address private. My long lost friends can find my name and number, but they needed to call to find my address. However, in today's internet world, someone has published my phone number with my address. I assume they did some cross referencing with other records. They do list 3 other addresses for me as well. The other addresses were previously used by me or another family member.

]]>

A comment on: I Googled my phone number and it turned up my home address - is that legal?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Leo's Answers Newsletter - Ask Leo! in your inbox every week.

Comment from Mark B on 2009-03-25

2009-03-25T12:56:04Z

If you just set your phone to reject anonymous callers, you'll eliminate 99% of all unwanted calls (most of them don't want you calling them back, so they block their own caller id!). As for not listing your own number -- don't you have any old friends who've lost touch?

]]>

A comment on: I Googled my phone number and it turned up my home address - is that legal?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Leo's Answers Newsletter - Ask Leo! in your inbox every week.

Comment from Claude Holloway on 2009-03-24

2009-03-24T20:42:51Z

I'm guessing you may have done this on purpose...Two of the three ads at the top of your reply to this individual contradict what you stated in your article. These two ads are for services to give us access to unpublished, and yes, even unlisted phone numbers. I have to assume changing your phone number and having your new one unlisted may not keep you out of public domain. Also, many, if not all, phone companies charge a MONTYLY fee for having your number unlisted. As Shawn suggests, I'm for letting the phone companies and others publish it incorrectly.

To be clear, I don't choose the ads, so what shows up isn't "on purpose". Google provides the ads, and they pick what to display based on the topic being discussed on the page.

- Leo
25-Mar-2009

]]>

A comment on: I Googled my phone number and it turned up my home address - is that legal?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Leo's Answers Newsletter - Ask Leo! in your inbox every week.

Comment from Shawn on 2009-03-24

2009-03-24T17:32:15Z

It's somewhat water under the bridge if you're already listed, but, consider this next time you have the opportunity to list your name.

I am listed in the phone book..but not by my name. I did not wish my name to be IN the book, but also didn't think I should have to PAY for that (for an unlisted number). Besides, anyone calling information for my locale with my real name would hear, 'That is an unlisted number.' Bingo! Someone knows I DO live there.

Also, anyone calling my home phone and asking to speak with the listed person's name is someone I KNOW I don't need to talk to.

I have been told by some phone companies that I cannot do that. I simply tell them, 'Yes. I can.'

So...google MY phone number. You WILL get my address...but it won't be ME.

]]>

A comment on: I Googled my phone number and it turned up my home address - is that legal?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
Leo's Answers Newsletter - Ask Leo! in your inbox every week.