General Chat

I have seen at least one obvious example of this website being used by somebody trying to track down a woman who is trying to avoid him. What is to prevent a nutter from turning up on somebody's doorstep as a result of a tipoff from a wellmeaning member of Genes Reunited? I urge members to be cautious when passing on details to third parties.

good point Paul

ooops i missed that!!!! But i did post warnings re something similar all week!! karen

well,a few days ago,i did have to ask a lady on here,her address,as i was trying to help her,once we have completed the business,i will delete her addy...can't at moment due to insurance etc. as luck would have it,she lives over the water! bryan.

Actually, he hasn't been removed. He's still there, but the person who reported him has been removed! I think our friends at GR are losing the plot!

This wouldn't be the first time GR have punished the wrong person. Gwynne

I suppose it is wise not to give out adresses, even your own, unless you are really sure. Saying that, i did it but the persom who contacted me was genuine. Unfortunately we are not suspicious enough and think everyone means well.

Paul, I very valid point, I would never pass information on unless I had been in contact with the person concerned, you just never know.

It' not only GR that we need to be careful. Twice people wanting to get in touch with me have traced my (late) father's phone no in the directory. They have asked for, and been given, my telephone number by the family there. Fortunately, both times were genuine, and I welcomed the appreachs. BUT .... Anne

If we give out our own name, address or whatever that is our responsibility and we accept the consequences. My training through my previous work has instilled in me never to give out any sort of contact address of anyone else without the written permission of the person concerned. Ann Glos

I have never given out info, what I have done is contacted the person being looked for and told them, that way it is up to them if they want to be found. Bev

I am a little concerned and also confused. Are we talking about information that couldn't easily be got by anybody on BT or before you search? If so, how have people known where to find the person concerned? I didn't see the problem thread, so I may be misunderstanding. Chrissie

I agree with Speedy's post. I would never give someone's contact details without first contacting the person concerned, telling them who was asking and asking permission to pass on their details. Several GR members now have my private address and telephone number, and some have visited my home, but I trust all of them not to pass on those details without first seeking my permission. However, I'm certain that anyone can be traced by a variety of means, if the seeker is really determined to find them. GR and other similar websites are a relatively easy option to try first, but the real give-away is the Electoral Roll, on which everyone is listed, and if someone's really desperate to find another person they can employ tracing agents. No-one can be 100 per cent anonymous. >*|*<

Wonder if its said enough will people take more heed of the warnings? Many do not understand why some of us worry about people giving so much information on here. I don't even give people's private email addresses unless I ask the person first. I prefer being cautious. Pat x

Ah, now I've read CB and Pat's replies I think that I may have misunderstood. Of course no one should give e-mail addresses, tel nos or addresses of contacts to ANYONE else without speaking to them first. I thought that you just meant people had looked up details on web sites.

Hi Chrissie, It isn't just that sort of info. As a long time member like me you must have seen those threads were people have given personal info maybe little snippets of stuff they think is innocent. I have seen people many months ago on one thread alone give their maiden name their married name & their mothers maiden name. Seen the same people on the birthday thread that's their date of birth when there real age is stated. They then go on another thread have a conversation with someone about where they live the School their children go to. Doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to work out a profile of that person. Without getting too paranoid about either, it's just caution when on such an open board as this one. Pat x

Pat, You're right to be cautious, of course, and, as you say, it would be easy for someone so inclined to gather personal details about other from posts. That's one reason why I think it's a good idea for people to use pseudonyms when they post. If they want those they regard as friends to know their real names, then they can tell them, but I suppose someone could find out hidden details just by contacting someone and asking about relatives. As I said before, we can't be 100% safe, but we don't need to make it easy for the snoopers and nutters. The difficulty is in knowing where to draw the line. CB >|< X

Hi Pat Yes, I know exactly what you are saying and though I have tried to be careful, I'm sure that I have said things that maybe I shouldn't about myself. I have made a point of never mentioning my families christian names either but unfortunately a couple of people who are friends have mentioned them on here and I didn't want to seem to be awkward by asking them to remove them. I am always pleased when you, or anyone, reminds us of this. I think the trouble is, that I didn't see the thread that has caused this thread, so I am a bit at a loss and maybe shouldn't have added to this thread at all. Chrissie x

I have read CB's post now too and I understand what she is saying as well. It's very difficult on here to be friendly and at the same time, to remember that we are on a web site that can be read by anyone.

Hi CB It is easy & it has been done on here & not just ONCE either! It's not only that sort of information I have stated but other stuff. Paul added to his title 'beware nutters' I am afraid that is a very sad fact. Again I say its not meant to be scaremongering but the amount of times people have said they didn't know anyone anywhere can read these boards, they just need to be aware & remember that fact & write only what people want others to know about them. It does restrict what is written but that's the way it is. Pat x