Is your home address one Google search away?
Look Twice | Thursday, October 29, 2026
Good morning.
Today's 2-minute fix: see what Google shows about you
Hackers stole student records from ETS, the company that runs California's state testing services. The data includes names, addresses and disability records, EdWeek reports. Families started getting notices on Oct. 16, CBS News says.
When your address and phone number are easy to find, a scammer can sound like they know you. Google has a free tool that shows where your info turns up, and lets you ask to remove it.
Do this today:
In the Google app, tap your profile picture, then Results about you. On a computer, go to myactivity.google.com/results-about-you. Google's steps are here.
Tap Get started. Enter your name and the info you want to find, like your home address, phone number and email.
Turn on notifications. When results show up, open the To review tab, pick one, and tap Request to remove.
Do it for Mom and Dad too, on their phone, with them. The tool is for adults. For a child, Google has a separate removal request form.
One catch, in Google's own words: removing a result "doesn't mean that the info is gone from the internet." See the partner pick below.
Going around now
Fake FTC calls about shutting off your phone number.
The FTC warns about callers who say your number is being used for scams abroad. Then a fake police officer says you're under arrest and must send a "security deposit." The FTC says it's all a scam. Hang up, even if the caller sounds official or knows personal details, 10TV reports.
Got a call like this? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Quick alerts
Fake "you're not registered to vote" texts. The election is Nov. 3. The FBI warns that victims get a text or email saying they're not registered in their state. Don't tap the link. Check your registration at vote.gov.
Quest Diagnostics breach. The lab company confirmed some patient records were accessed, TechCrunch reports. It hasn't said how many. Watch for a letter, and be careful with calls that claim to be from Quest.
Partner pick
Go beyond Google. Optery shows where your profile may be exposed on hundreds of data broker and people-search sites. The free plan needs no credit card. Paid plans start at $3.99 a month and send removal requests to hundreds of sites.
Partner link: we may earn a commission if you buy. It costs you nothing extra.
Forward this to Mom and Dad
Mom, Dad, can we spend 5 minutes this weekend checking what Google shows about you? There's a free tool that can hide your address and phone number. I'll help.
One question
Did you find your info in Google? Yes, no, or haven't checked yet?
Just hit reply. We read every one.
How was today's issue?
From the Look Twice editors. Every fact links to its source. Got a scam we should cover? Just reply.
