Valleywag getting crap for posting my phone number

I think that’s funny them getting crap for posting your phone number when it’s plainly been a part of your blog now for a number of years. And anyone who has taken time to read your blog would know that.

Hope CES is fun.

I always assumed you had two. One for your personal, private, identity stuff; and one you let us lot have.

Dave: I do have two: but I don’t ever use the other one for phone.

Yeah, it’s been there for a long time. Get over it. This is not newsworthy Valleywag…yawn.

Maybe people wouldn’t be as angry if your number was through Google’s GrandCentral program?

Scoble, just curious..

how many whackos end up calling you? How many pranks do you get? Do you get a lot of inquiries from the press or people hocking their own crap?

I’d be interested to know – and if all of that is low, it might encourage others to follow your lead.

I’ve had my number posted on my blog for years, and while I don’t have the huge traffic Scobble has, it’s still funny to me how rarely anyone thinks to call.

On the occasion someone does call however, it does have a tendency to be something actually worthwhile like a request for a press interview etc.

Hey Scoble,

It’s funny that this has come up, again.

Phillip Greenspun (http://philip.greenspun.com/contact-info) has had his info up since early in the 90s (might even be earlier), and was asked a similar question around the time his book came out on web sites (late 90s I believe). He says he rarely gets calls either. The fact that it is still up, must mean it’s still not an issue.

I would guess this has as much to do with the work required to use a phone for connection, as it does with the lack of anonymity. Much easier to just shoot off an email or 10,000 from a relatively anonymous server.

Another element is that if you’re going to engage with Robert Scoble in real time on the phone without warning, you had better have your shit together… be focused, and try to convince him you’re not an idiot wasting his time. In e-mail, or comments, on the other hand, there’s plenty of time to refine, elaborate upon, and polish your idiocy from the comfort of your own home or office with a much smaller risk of actual physical embarrassment.

It’s odd that I’ve got you on a speed-dial, but only had enough things to say to call once.

I get very few crank calls. Why? I don’t answer calls that don’t share their phone number with me. Force those to go into voice mail.

I am glad you post your phone number. For being so popular you didn’t become stuck-up like others have. Your blog design isn’t modern and stuck up as well. Kudos to you.

I was reading your book recently. (which is an awesome book by the way) and I’m amazed you have had only two crank calls. Heck, I’m just amazed you put the number out there. You are right if you are open and honest, people seems to be very polite.

Heh.. You know, I’ve seen that there before and wondered if it was your actual number.

Have had my number up for a while now and have the same experience: few crank callers and even a few interesting contacts with people wanting to know something about integrated marketing or related matters.

Identity theft is harder to pull off than the identity theft protection companies would let on.

In order to “become” someone, you must have their SSN. Sure, you could harrass someone with the basic informtion, but in order to establish credit, get a driver’s license, buy a home, a car, etc., you need the SSN.

Lawmakers are trying to tighten things down even further, thankfully. If you ask me, I think ID theft should be treated as severely as rape or murder, because effectively, you have potentially trashed someone’s life, sometimes almost permanently.

A mere phone number results in nothing but calls at odd hours, freaks calling, etc. No real harm done. Although, I used to work with guys that if they learned your off-duty details like personal email account, phone number, etc., they would, as a joke, sign people up for porn newletters (straight and gay), weirdo lists, give your phone number out on the net, etc. Sometimes funny, sometimes not.

Privacy is wonderful but people’s ideas about it are quite warped. Who are they to get angry at you if you post your number or email address somewhere? I hope I never have come off so patronizing, pissy, and full of myself over what another person can do with their personal details.

My phone number is posted on my Facebook profile, MSN, and blog. Initially, just like you, I don’t answer calls from people with blocked numbers. Then I setup a GrandCentral account so people could call me within certain times. Also GrandCentral drops blocked calls for me automatically. It is actually surprising how few people actually call me that don’t already know me.

I don’t see anything wrong with posting a phone number online. As you said, no one’s forcing you to pick it up.

However, someone who *was* an idiot last week is Jeremy Clarkson, Car TV celebrity and irreverent columnist in the UK. He posted his bank details. Someone immediately set up a Direct Debit from his account to a charity to prove how easily his details could be used.

What an idiot!

Hi Robert,

Doesn’t that mean only your U.S. readers get immediate/direct access, as Caller-ID doesn’t work internationally?

Incidentally, Why has GrandCentral got so much hype, The UK’s had Personal Numbers and Unified messaging since before Y2k (e.g. digitalmail or Callsure), and of course, there was the great Wildfire service from Orange (when it was the future).

Yours kindly

Shakir Razak

hey do you get prank calls on the phone??? . btw i read that clarkson article thats preety funny. i atleats the money was used for good purpose but then again its so common sense to not to let yourt bank ac number in public

Oh, and I’ve noticed that Google will return local phone listings for some people.

Oh, and I’ve noticed that Google will return local phone listings for some people.

After reading this thread, I decided to test the premise by giving Robert a call at the number posted. Much to my surprise, he answered the phone.

Turns out, he has a cold and is watching his baby…and he still answered the phone.

That’s phenomenal.

He was gracious and answered all my questions.

He’s good people, as my Philadelphia ancestors say. We could use more like him.

I’ve had my phone number on my blog for 2 years or so. So far, it hasn’t been a problem.

Nobody wants to be the “So you’re the jackass who called Scoble” person, I suppose…