Scams are an unfortunate but inevitable part of life, especially now that everyone and their mothers are online. Moreover, as new technologies come online, such scams are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and complex. Fortunately, plenty of businesses are fighting back against the onset and implementing procedures that alert users they may be about to become unwitting participants in some form of scam. However, an unintended consequence of this fightback is that many innocent people and businesses are getting caught in the crossfire, causing a mild annoyance at best but a loss of revenue at worst. This post will describe what occurs when you are falsely identified as spam and how you may lessen the likelihood of it happening again.
Why Might You Get Flagged As A Likely Scam?
While it is ultimately a good thing that phone carriers and other enterprises are actively trying to reduce the number of innocent people becoming victims of phone scams, sometimes the net gets cast a little too wide and snares those who are simply trying to go about their everyday lives. You may have received a call in the past and seen the words scam likely pop up on your screen. This message is designed to inform the recipient that the number calling will very likely have a scammer on the other side looking to move the cash in your pocket into theirs. This gives the recipient the option as to whether or not they should take the call since it offers a heads-up.
However, in almost all cases, the recipient will see the message and be inclined to ignore or hang up the call rather than digging a little deeper. If you are a business trying to reach out to potential customers and are constantly having your calls rejected, it could be that a carrier has flagged your number. Carriers use different sets of highly advanced algorithms to ascertain how risky your number might be, and then they use that information to either allow the call to go through unhindered or attach the potential scam message to the screen of the recipient.
What Can You Do If Your Number Is Constantly Getting Flagged?
It’s not just annoying to have your calls rejected, but it could potentially cost you enormous amounts of revenue if it’s consistent. Additionally, you could suffer reputational loss if you ignore the issue, as people will unfairly but understandably begin to associate your business with some kind of scam. So, what exactly can you do to reduce the likelihood of being listed as a scam and get your business back on track?
Use A Service That Maintains Compliance With STIR/SHAKEN Regulation
STIR/SHAKEN is a set of protocols and procedures aimed at curbing illegal robocalls and caller ID spoofing by authenticating the identity of callers. This regulation requires telecom service providers to implement measures that verify the legitimacy of the calling numbers across their networks. In order to avoid the risk of your business numbers being labeled as possible scams, it’s essential to use a service provider that ensures compliance with STIR/SHAKEN regulations. By entrusting your phone number management to a compliant service, you leverage their ability to authenticate calls according to regulatory standards, significantly reducing the likelihood of your numbers being flagged by carriers or blocked by call recipients.
Opting for a compliant service also offloads the technical burden from your team, allowing them to concentrate on other essential business activities. These providers typically have the necessary infrastructure and expertise to handle the compliance requirements efficiently, ensuring that your communications remain smooth and uninterrupted.
Get A-Level Verification For Your Number
Ensuring that your business phone numbers are trusted and not tagged as potential scams can be challenging. A-Level Attestation is a robust measure to achieve this. This secure attestation elevates the credibility of your numbers by providing a validated confirmation of their authenticity. A-Level attestation involves a rigorous verification process that certifies the legitimacy of your phone numbers. Once achieved, this seal of authenticity helps telecom providers and call recipients to distinguish your business from fraudulent entities. By securing this certification, businesses can protect their reputation, facilitate uninterrupted communication, and build stronger trust relationships with their clientele.
Monitor All The Numbers You Use Regularly
Regular monitoring involves consistently reviewing the status of your phone numbers to ensure they are not being misidentified. This proactive approach helps identify and resolve any false reports or anomalies that may cause your numbers to be marked as suspicious. Keeping a close eye on this can prevent interruptions in communication with your clients and partners, ensuring that your business maintains its trusted status and minimizes disruptions. It can also aid in preserving the integrity of your communication channels, ensuring that you are promptly informed of any irregularities. This vigilance can significantly contribute to maintaining the confidence of your customers and preventing any unwarranted disruptions to your business operations.
Add Your Phone Numbers To The Free Caller Directory
One effective measure to keep your number squeaky clean is to add it to the free caller directory. This registry is designed to help authenticate and verify phone numbers, thereby reducing the likelihood of them being misidentified as spam or fraud. It is a publicly accessible list that allows businesses to register their phone numbers, which should signal to telecom providers and call recipients that your numbers are legitimate and associated with a recognized company. By entering your numbers into this registry, you enhance their credibility, making it easier for both automated systems and individuals to distinguish your legitimate business calls from those originating from malicious actors.
Maintain Discipline When Calling
Ensuring that your phone activities adhere to best practices helps maintain their credibility and avoids triggering spam filters or scam warnings. Consequently, consistent and respectful calling habits are fundamental. In practice, this could mean:
- Limiting your call frequency to avoid overwhelming your recipients, and always respect do-not-call lists to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Avoid making calls late at night or very early in the morning, as timing plays a significant role in how calls are perceived.
- Sticking to appropriate and considerate hours can help maintain a positive relationship with your clients and prospective customers.
Maintaining a professional tone and conducting calls with relevant content will also help minimize the risk of being marked as a nuisance or potential scam. By applying these disciplined calling habits, businesses can significantly reduce the likelihood of their numbers being flagged, ensuring smoother operations and fostering trust with their audience.
Being accused of being a scammer is no laughing matter. While it can be a nuisance to individual callers, it can cost businesses a lot in terms of lost revenue and reputation. By using the tips in this post, you should discover that your calls go straight through without hindrance.
