Mulling over George Pope to Steve Asher 10 Nov 2003

Hi George!

SA> I can't think of a public document offhand that would link unlisted
SA> numbers to names & addresses. A good starting point is the electoral
SA> roll, which contains the names & addresses of the majority of people
SA> registered to vote (which is mandatory here). Some names are
SA> "suppressed" & do not appear, but this privilege is
not available
SA> to the majority, whose names & addresses are there for the taking.
SA>
SA> Other sources are the lands titles, which tie names of owners to
SA> properties; the National Meter Identifier (NMI), which ties a
SA> property to an electricity meter, & is being used increasingly
SA> & surreptitiously to link names & addresses. Check your electricity
SA> bill to see if it has NMI 1234567890 somewhere on it. Not a public
SA> document or identifier, but available to those with access.

 GP> Where are the NMI# electric documents used?

 GP> I take it not in Canada (we call it "hydro" here). . . :)

Well, on my electricity bill it is just a number in that format,
NMI 1234567890987-6, but in the UK it is called MPAN (Meter Point
Administration Number) - a unique number identifying the location
of the meter, etc. Canada might call it something else, but the
function will be the same.

 GP> Yep, all the above, for documents, plus the Criss-Cross directory
 GP> (aka "Reverse Look-Up)

Here, the one to get access to is the Integrated Public Number Database,
which contains the names, addresses, & phone numbers of every phone
account holder, including silent lines & mobiles. Very handy for any
type of look-up. I did experience use of something like what you
described when I ordered a pizza some time ago, & they asked for
my phone number, & from that got the address. These days, I don't
order pizza, & don't have my street number in the book.

 GP> It would take hours and hours of time, but I happen to know dozens
 GP> of people with hours & hours of time on their hands! *LOL* (who
 GP> woldn't mind a piece of the action, when I go public with my
 GP> reverse publishing plan! *EG* 

:)

SA> Anyone conducting a raffle in the local mall is more than likely
SA> to be collecting names & phone numbers of entrants, for later
SA> harvesting.

 GP> That's old news! :|

Yes, but there is almost a plague of people selling tickets for
everything from bingo to new cars in the malls these days, & they
put their stalls in strategic points to catch almost everyone.

 GP> And, of course, with no accountabiilty, they don't even necessarily
 GP> give ANYONE the prize being raffled! :|

I don't mind donating to people who are just collecting for worthy
causes, but don't buy tickets etc, to avoid being added to databases.

SA> Slight change of theme....

 GP> Huh?  I thought the point of this echo is that EVERYTHING is
 GP> possibly connected in a single theme! *LOL*

Well, it is still on the theme of identifying, profiling &
tracking people.

SA> From Canada.Com technology section is a story on clubs & bars in
SA> Vancouver forming "Barwatch", which will compel patrons to swipe
SA> their drivers licences & be photographed as they enter, in order
SA> to keep out troublemakers, help to identify people spiking drinks,
SA> etc. Naturally, the licence & photo details will be kept private
SA> & confidential, until it is sub-poenaed by a spouse, insurance
SA> company, employer etc seeking to prove that X was in the bar,
SA> instead of at work or wherever.

 GP> Oh well -- I find buying my own beers cheaper than going to a bar
 GP> anyway! 

I rarely go to a bar these days, or drink much alcohol - too busy,
but I don't mind a nice bottle of red wine when eating good food
with friends on a cold winter night, etc etc.

 GP> & if it's party atmosphere I want, I have friends! (ditto if it's
 GP> pretty half-dressed girls serving the drinks!)

Same as above, & after half a bottle of wine, they're all pretty. :)

Cheers, Steve..

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