Q Are there no free telephone directories online any longer? Most of the time I get a message that the name is not found but then a reference to a pay-for-view upwards of $15. For instance, I wanted the phone and address of a friend in Connecticut (his name is provided so you can try), but I just get ads for paid listing services. If you know of a true free directory, tell me.
AIn a great number of cases it's possible to get the name, address and phone number of anybody with a listed account just by typing in their name and hometown in the Google search bar.
Google stands out from the competition with this service, but you still need to be very careful because the companies offering paid information about Americans litter these Google search results with links to their online stores.
Beyond Google, I know of one pretty useful free listing service, 411.com, which is backed by advertising from big phone and media companies. This free white pages/yellow pages service adds one great feature: It lists everybody else up and down the block once the first street number is entered.
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But you need to watch your mouse here, too, because the online detective agencies post their ads there as well. Your friend's name didn't come up at either Google or 411.com, but judging from the paid search ads it looks like we can find what town he lives in and how old he is. We also know he has an unlisted number.
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