August 17, 2021 Scam phone calls have existed for years. However, robocalling technology — systems that allow parties to dial numbers automatically or use prerecorded voice messages — have made receiving fraudulent calls much more common. In March 2021, the number of robocalls received has already returned to pre-pandemic levels, at an estimated 4.6 billion per month. Though there are many types of non-fraudulent robocalls, ranging from emergency alerts to solicited telemarketing messages, the number of illegitimate calls remains significant. In response to the growing number of scam calls to mobile phones, many carriers and third parties have created tools to identify and block scam calls. Unfortunately, these tools aren’t perfect. Businesses that use legitimate robocalls, and even some that don’t, may have their numbers incorrectly marked by scam ID technology, particularly when calling cell numbers. With smartphones in the hands and pockets of 81 percent of U.S. adults, you need to know that your calls are reaching your customers. Read on to learn how you can avoid being marked with a Scam Likely caller ID. What Is Scam Likely Caller ID?In an attempt to improve customer experience, the carrier T-Mobile launched a feature called Scam ID, which is automatically enabled on T-Mobile and MetroPCS devices. When someone calls one of these devices, T-Mobile checks the number against its database of reported scam numbers. If the source matches a reported scam number, the person being called sees a message that says “Scam Likely” alongside standard caller ID. The user can then decide whether or not to answer the call. In addition to Scam ID, T-Mobile and MetroPCS also allow customers to opt in to a Scam Block feature that prevents all Scam Likely calls from reaching the user’s phone. Though T-Mobile was the first carrier to integrate this feature into their service for free, other carriers have since introduced their own paid and free versions. Third party apps also allow smartphone users to detect, report and block scam calls. While Scam Likely Caller ID features do help users avoid potential scams, they sometimes mark legitimate calls incorrectly. To understand why, let’s take a look at what Scam ID uses to identify risky calls. What Scam ID and Other Services Look ForTo identify likely scam calls, T-Mobile’s Scam ID looks for two main traits associated with fraud and robocalling: a high volume of calls originating from the number and existing complaints filed about the number. This means numbers marked with “Scam Likely” tend to be either numbers that originate a large number of robocalls or numbers that have a record of being reported by recipients as scams. Scam ID successfully blocks many illegal calls. However, there are two problems that lead to legitimate calls being blocked:
How Scam Likely Phone Block Can Hurt Your BusinessGetting a number marked Scam Likely incorrectly is common for businesses and organizations using legitimate robocalling. This mislabeling can harm your business by:
Five Ways You Can Avoid Being Marked Scam LikelyBecause getting incorrectly listed as a scam number can have an enormous impact on the success of your business, you need to take steps to avoid being marked with this caller ID. Use these strategies to protect your number:
What to Do If You’re Already Marked Scam LikelyIt’s often easier to avoid getting marked as a scam than to resolve the problem after the fact. The fastest way to get your company’s calls removed from a scam list is to change your phone number. However, changing a business number frequently comes with its share of inconveniences, especially if a different telephone subscriber is quickly assigned your old number. Potential issues that come with changing your number include factors like inconveniencing customers who have you on speed-dial, the potential loss of current advertising materials and being incorrectly listed in a business directory. If changing your present number is not an option, using the five strategies outlined below can also help resolve the issue and get your number to stop showing up as spam. These tactics could also mitigate any potential losses:
Using one or several of the above tactics can lead to a speedy resolution of eliminating the Scam Likely tag. By simply being aware of the potential problems that exist, you are taking a step in the right direction. Your ability to reach customers is an essential part of keeping your business running. As a result, you need to ensure your calls reach recipients without the burden of a Scam Likely label. At Consolidated Technologies, Inc., our Carrier Practice and Contact Center Experts are here to Help Your Business Succeed. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help resolve complex communication technology challenges. How do you stop scam likely calls?To make sure you've blocked phone calls from “Scam Likely”, you can dial #787# in the keypad of your iPhone or Android's Phone app.
How do you block scam likely calls on iPhone?Set up an app to filter and detect spam calls. Go to the App Store and download an app that detects and blocks spam phone calls. ... . Go to Settings > Phone.. Tap Call Blocking & Identification.. Under Allow These Apps To Block Calls And Provide Caller ID, turn the app on or off.. Why do I get so many scam likely calls?If an incoming call is labeled Scam Likely, it's probably a call from a spammer, scammer, or telemarketer. Your carrier maintains a database of likely telemarketing phone numbers and flags these calls automatically. You can choose to ignore calls marked Scam Likely, or you can block them and prevent them from ringing.
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