In The News

Company Selling Cell Phone Numbers
August 16, 2007 Sean Kelly, Reporter

For years, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking victims could keep out of the phone book by using a cell phone.

But now, for a small fee, those private numbers are available online thanks to one company. The Internet firm Intelius is selling mobile phone numbers and sometimes home addresses for $7 to $15 each. Intelius already has 90 million numbers and will add another 70 million by the end of the week.

Victims of domestic abuse, stalking and sexual assault said it's a dangerous service. For years, they have been able to keep out of the phone book and use a cell to stay away from abusers.

"I deliberately got a cell phone within days of my leaving so that I could not be traced," said Sara, who escaped from an abusive husband. She now risks having her cell phone number and other personal information, including current and past home addresses, available to anyone with online access.

"I'm very concerned for the people who live with the peace of mind that their cell phone provides them now," Sara said.

Intelius representative Ed Peterson said, “We do pay for the data, everything from government agencies to third party companies, where we compile a lot of this information together."

Conceivably more than 500,000 people in Boston alone could have their cell phone number online by Friday, and that includes children."

"Now, you can't even assume that minors have privacy rights," said Avivah Lihtan, vice-president of the research group Gartner, Inc. “It's the wild west when it comes to our personal information."

Toni Troop, of the sexual assault and domestic violence prevention group Jane Doe Inc. said “We are deeply concerned and want to urge not only companies but Congress to take swift action to ensure there are guidelines in place that consider implications for these victims.”

To find out how to remove your name from public information data bases, click here.

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