Reverse look-up (address from tel. no.)

[neejah]

Has anyone got any idea how to find out someones address within the UK with just their landline or mobile no.

I've got the area, but need to know a) if they are who they say they are, and b) where they live......

Cheers

Neil

[Goochie]

You cant.

Back in the 90's there was a PC program that was essentially an electronic version of the phonebook. Very soon after release they had to patch it soto remove the ability to find an address from a number.

[cazzer]

Not actually true....you can buy the phone book off BT in electronic format.
Company I worked for last year had it.
As it's importable into SQL server you can do any sort of look up on it you want.
Tis only a few grand

[esselte]

Goochie said:

You cant.

Back in the 90's there was a PC program that was essentially an electronic version of the phonebook. Very soon after release they had to patch it soto remove the ability to find an address from a number.

Yet in the states it appears it can be done...why did the UK stop it?

[Shaw Tarse]

Have you tried googling the number?

[marshalla]

If you know the area they live in, can't you just use something like 192.com to get a list of all people with that name in that area and then match the phone number manually ?

[Neil_H]

I'm pretty sure anyone who gave you that info from just the number without good reason would be in breech of the DPA.

[esselte]

Neil_H said:

I'm pretty sure anyone who gave you that info from just the number without good reason would be in breech of the DPA.

Why...? It's all in the public domain isn't it?It'd just take a long while to sift through..(unless it's ex directory of course..)

[Fittster]

Neil_H said:

I'm pretty sure anyone who gave you that info from just the number without good reason would be in breech of the DPA.

If the name and number appear in the phone book how can it be a breach?

[AB]

I used to have copy of the Phone Disc and you could reverse look up? I don't know where you would get a copy now though.

[rsv gone!]

esselte said:

Goochie said:

You cant.

Back in the 90's there was a PC program that was essentially an electronic version of the phonebook. Very soon after release they had to patch it soto remove the ability to find an address from a number.

Yet in the states it appears it can be done...why did the UK stop it?

192.com used to do it and was, apparently, the service used to get Jill Dando's details. After her murder, things were changed.

[marshalla]

Go to your local library and use the real phone books in there to find the surname in the area...

[Neil_H]

esselte said:

Neil_H said:

I'm pretty sure anyone who gave you that info from just the number without good reason would be in breech of the DPA.

Why...? It's all in the public domain isn't it?It'd just take a long while to sift through..(unless it's ex directory of course..)

I thought he was specifically talking about a mobile number.

Yes, for a landline you're right.

[Shaw Tarse]

marshalla said:

Go to your local library and use the real phone books in there to find the surname in the area...

What if they're ex directory?

[callyman]

Shaw Tarse said:

marshalla said:

Go to your local library and use the real phone books in there to find the surname in the area...

What if they're ex directory?

Then you're screwed.

[ninja-lewis]

esselte said:

Neil_H said:

I'm pretty sure anyone who gave you that info from just the number without good reason would be in breech of the DPA.

Why...? It's all in the public domain isn't it?It'd just take a long while to sift through..(unless it's ex directory of course..)

May not be a breach of the DPA but I don't believe it's public domain either. I think BT may own the address-phone information in same way Royal Mail own the Postcode Address File. A lot of government produced information isn't actually free - Ordnance Survey for example are pretty tight on charging for accessing their data, even when its another government department. In the US, on the other hand, a lot of the information is free and you can use it without restrictions.

[Jamus]

Goochie said:

You cant.

Back in the 90's there was a PC program that was essentially an electronic version of the phonebook. Very soon after release they had to patch it soto remove the ability to find an address from a number.

I'm positive my dad had that on his computer, can't for the life of me remember what it was called.

[esselte]

ninja-lewis said:

esselte said:

Neil_H said:

I'm pretty sure anyone who gave you that info from just the number without good reason would be in breech of the DPA.

Why...? It's all in the public domain isn't it?It'd just take a long while to sift through..(unless it's ex directory of course..)

May not be a breach of the DPA but I don't believe it's public domain either. I think BT may own the address-phone information in same way Royal Mail own the Postcode Address File. A lot of government produced information isn't actually free - Ordnance Survey for example are pretty tight on charging for accessing their data, even when its another government department. In the US, on the other hand, a lot of the information is free and you can use it without restrictions.

You can get a copy of any UK telephone directory...being in the public domain doesn't necessarily mean free of charge of course...