We’ve all been there: you’re busy at work and the phone rings. You pick it up, hoping it’s the client call you’ve been waiting for or the colleague sign-off you need, and it turns out to be a total waste of time. Spam calls like these are nothing short of a serious nuisance, but the numbers that businesses get and the disruption they cause can be astounding.
As well as being seriously irritating, spam and nuisance calls can be a significant risk if you or an unsuspecting team member engages and gives out sensitive company information. For both your sanity and your security, it’s important to take measures to fend them off or, at the very least, deal with them better. With this in mind, we’ve outlined how to stop spam calls to your business in this article.
Call Screening
One of the best ways to get started with how to stop spam calls is by making sure you are screening calls properly. On most handsets, you can use Caller ID (also known as Calling Line Identity or CLI) to show you who is calling before you pick up. If the number is one that’s unfamiliar or from an area code or location you typically wouldn’t expect calls from, you can let the call ring through to voicemail or choose to ignore it. This will give you the chance to look up the number and check if it’s a caller you want to call back, or see what they have to say in a message and then make your decision.
However, keep in mind that not every number you see is always legitimate. Number spoofing is incredibly common and can trick you into thinking you’re getting a call from a local number so that you pick up the phone. Call screening is a great first line of defence, but still approach with caution if you choose to answer an unknown number after Caller ID has displayed.
Register With The Corporate Telephone Preference Service
Call screening can help you deal with spam and nuisance calls better, but it doesn’t restrict these types of calls altogether. If you’re wondering how to stop spam calls at a fundamental level, there are a number of tactics you can deploy. Firstly, consider registering your business with the Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS). The CTPS allows businesses to opt out of receiving unsolicited calls from third-party organisations working their way through a marketing database. These individuals are not allowed to cold call any business that appears on the CTPS list, so it’s a pretty good way to filter out a lot of the nuisance callers you might be fed up with hearing from.
Block Nuisance Numbers
Unfortunately, registering with the CTPS will never stop spam calls entirely. Lists and databases can become outdated, and you also have to consider the fact that you may have consented to your contact details being shared for marketing purposes in the past.
Another step in your strategy for how to stop nuisance calls is therefore to block numbers as soon as they become a problem. Yes, you might have to endure the call once to work out the number needs to be blocked, but you’ll save a lot of time and frustration in the future if you just block any number causing you an issue.
Blocking nuisance calls should be fairly straightforward, depending on your business phone system and provider. Speak to your phone provider if you’re not sure, or get in touch with us. The flexible cloud phone systems we recommend and support, like 8×8 and CallSwitch One, make it easy to block certain callers and manage your communications efficiently.
Reconsider How You Answer Calls
An important but often overlooked part of learning how to stop spam calls also involves reconsidering the way you and your employees answer the phone. If the number ringing is unknown, you should never dive in with your details straight away. Question them and get them to confirm who they are before you engage. It’s always better to hang up, do your research, and then call back if they are who they say they are, than land yourself in hot water by being too friendly too quickly.
Get The Right Phone System In Place
If all of these steps are things your organisation is doing regularly and you’re still struggling with how to stop spam calls, it’s probably time to look at the technology you’re using and the way your phone system operates. Outdated or inflexible systems make it harder to manage call blocking, track those really causing a nuisance, and screen calls properly. Upgrading to a modern, cloud-based phone system could give you the tools you need to control who is reaching your business more effectively.
At Agile Comms, we’re on hand to help you find a phone system that works for your business. Whether you want something flexible that you can manage and tailor to changing call needs or require expert technical support from a hands-on team, we can help. Simply get in touch now to discuss your requirements and pain points, and we’ll work with you to find a solution.
