We want to thank our friend John for writing and pointing out that we need this page.
TELEPHONE SAFETY ISSUES:
On the Do/Don't page we talked about calling kids who give you their phone numbers
and ask you to call. Be very aware that the person who asks you to call might not
actually be a student at your school. Sometimes gay bashers pretend to be gay or
gay-friendly just to get more information about you. That could even include anti-gay
students at your school. Here are some things you need to do to be safe:
> If you call the person who asked you to call, first ask a question that only someone
from your school could likely answer, such as a question about the last school
assembly or that morning's announcements.
> Make the call from an unlisted phone if possible, or from a public phone. If the
person you're calling has an ulterior motive, he can get a lot of information about you
from the phone number he sees on his caller ID.
> Many of you probably know about googling a phone number to find out how to get
to a party or store or whatever. In case you don't know, any phone number can be
entered into Google search, with dashes, like 555-555-5555, and Google will show the
name and address associated with the number and give links to maps that show how
to get to that address.
> If your phone or your family's phone is listed in your phone directory, the number is
in the Google database. To get it removed from Google, do this:
Enter your full telephone number in Google search, separated by dashes (e.g.
555-555-5555). If the number appears in the mapping database, a telephone
icon will appear next to the first or second entry on the results page. Clicking on
that icon will take you to a page containing a description of the Google Phone
Book service, and a link to request your number be removed from the database.
Unlisted numbers and cell numbers are not in the Google database.
> It's sad that this page is necessary, but always remember that there are
homophobes and "dirty old men" who can and will try to trick you into giving them
personal imformation -- by phone, on the Internet, or though e-mail. Those people
can find your listed phone number and exact address through several white pages
databases on the Internet if they know your full name and city. Some of those white
pages sites also allow you to enter a listed phone number to find the name and
address for it, but they also give the option of removing your number from their
database. Be safe!!