Yesterday as part of this post espousing the view that home addresses are not personal private information but rather public info, I issued a challenge to Buzzblog readers to see who could be first to find my address.
The winner is Erika Shira of Boston, who will be receiving a $100 American Express gift certificate for her efforts.
How’d she do it? Shira explains:
First, I did a Google search on Network World for your name plus “wife” and found that her name is Julie. Also found out you have young triplets. Then, went to stevemorse.org and did the “birthdays and relatives” search for “Paul McNamara” in Massachusetts Found a Paul McNamara related to a Julie (Schofield) McNamara, saw that you’re approximately 49 and she’s approximately 43, and that you’ve lived in Worcester and Marlborough. This was the only Paul and Julie anywhere near the right age to be employed and have little kids.
So, I went to the (county) deeds page, figuring I’d search the closest county first, and searched on your name. Found the right names and the home purchase in 2006. I’m looking at a copy of your deed right now. Looks like you got a nice place!
She said all of this took about 20 minutes – while she “was working simultaneously.” (If you know the town the person is living in, it’s much, much easier.)
Interesting as to how much info she was able to glean in such a short time. And did you note the most troublesome fact that she uncovered about my family and its whereabouts?
Right, my wife’s age. … Now that I think about it, that number seems to be high by about 10-15 years. Must be a data-input error of some kind. (Honey, I tried).
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