Finding Info 2

[xyzzyplugh]

All the shops and services who ask you for your postcode and street number; then they know 'everything' is this database available online? as a download? (costs a fortune right?]

[darth vader]

http://uk2.multimap.com/ - you can search a postcode for free!

[gilf]

I think there are a number of software packages around that do this, one I have used in the past was called quick address. Its priced at �99 and has 27 Million addresses. You can find post codes on the internet at the post office web site.

[Worker]

I don't know if this is what you mean, but I often use a postcode to get a map of an unknown area I'm travelling to. It highlights the properties concerned by using an arrow and by zooming out you can get points of reference, such as railway and train stations. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?postcode2
map?xxxx+xxx Copy and paste into a browser and replace the x's with the letters (lower-case) and numbers of the postcode, and voila! Try it on your own postcode and see if it works.

[banana]

I have a 2CD program which gives all sorts of info when a postcode is entered. It can tell me who lives in a house - whether they are related or not and who their neighbours are .It can tell me what their phone number is -if not ex directory. It is called UK info disc and relies mainly on Directory enquiries entries and electoral registers. Businesses use something like this as an entry on the electoral register is seen as proof of address over a period of time. Dont know how much it costs to buy as mine was a present ( I know - Im sad)

[Pinotage]

The one used by companies that ask for your post code is the Post Office database. Because a postcode identifies a single address or uo to six houses in a street, all thats needed is the house number and post code

[xyzzyplugh]

You are all close but not; I'm just curious, how available is this database that gives surname and maybe family info like electoral roll does; The postcode database, 6 houses - this commonly available on multimap etc. The bigger database that details each house number's owner and info; Shops have it for deliveries etc. seems everyone's got it but the homeowner.. This is my quest, where is this grail? can anyone buy it? what's it called? Do burglars have it? Who? who? [says owl] - Am I just a $hit communicator? :-)

[mikewith]

xyzzy -- o great communicator ;-) -- I'm having a *bit* of trouble understanding that last post! Are you asking whether this 'master database' exists now, available to assorted Dark Forces, pizza delivery companies and the taxman? Or whether it is an inevitable consequence of this techno/ data/ intrusivesociety that such a thing will come to pass?

I reckon the latter is more likely: if someone knows who you are *today* it's most likely because you have had dealings with them before. They themselves have entered your details in to their system. But in the future... they'll know what you want before you do... they'll know everything... scary.

[mopoke]

When a shop asks you for a postcode, they will look it up on the PAF database. This is a huge database which the Post Office supply. There are a number of different resellers of this information. It does not supply details of the people living there, only of the addresses covered by that postcode. The shop may also tie it into their previous order records for that postcode/address combination and get your name if you have ordered from them before.

[xyzzyplugh]

Quite right, (mikewith) Google R.I.P.A. ; Logon the net, you upload your mind; ripa already know how you vote, and all your other proclivities, waste of time 'cleaning your pc'; Accept the dawning of the tech Akashic records it's not going away. And so what, no harm done really, but if you do want privacy and your reading this - then you're probably too late. :-) Thanks for PAF clue mopoke.