We're addressing an increasingly common issue that many businesses face: having their phone numbers flagged as spam. Understanding why this happens and how to prevent it is crucial for maintaining effective communication with your clients.
Why Are Numbers Flagged as Spam?
The Surge of Phone Scams:
Over the past decade, there has been a significant rise in phone scams. Fraudsters often use calls to extract money or sensitive information like Social Security numbers or financial details. This increase in fraudulent activity has prompted phone companies to implement measures to identify and flag potential spam calls.
The Role of Phone Companies:
To deter these scams, phone companies have been working on strategies to identify potentially fraudulent calls. These include analyzing calling patterns and allowing users to report numbers as spam.
Understanding Traffic Analysis and User Reporting
Traffic Analysis by Phone Companies:
Phone companies analyze call traffic for unusual patterns. For instance, if a number makes an unusually high volume of calls, it could be flagged as spam. They also check whether the caller ID information is complete and accurate.
User Reporting - A Double-Edged Sword:
One of the most significant factors leading to legitimate numbers being flagged as spam is user reporting. Cell phone users now have the option to report numbers as spam quickly. While this helps combat scam calls, it can also lead to legitimate numbers being inaccurately labeled as spam.
The Complications of Diverse Databases
Phone companies like Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T each maintain their own spam-flagging databases. This lack of uniformity means that a number could be marked as spam by one carrier but not by others. This inconsistency can be challenging for businesses trying to reach clients across different networks.
How to Address Being Flagged as Spam
Filling out Carrier Forms:
If your number is flagged, you can fill out forms for each carrier stating that your number is legitimate. While this process can be tedious, it's essential for ensuring your calls reach your clients.
ComTech's Assistance:
We assist our business phone clients in filling out and submitting these forms to the carriers. Our goal is to simplify the process for you and help ensure that your number is recognized as legitimate by all carriers.
The Persistent Issue of User Reporting
Even if a number is cleared from a spam list, it doesn't guarantee permanent safety. Users can continue to report numbers, leading to re-flagging. This ongoing issue underscores the importance of regularly monitoring your number's status and taking action as needed.
Need Help or Have Questions?
If you find yourself struggling with spam flags or have specific scenarios that you'd like to discuss, don't hesitate to reach out. We are committed to supporting your business communication needs. You can contact us and we will do our best to help ensure your communication channels remain clear and trusted.
