Any good unsubscribe compliance strategy needs to do more than just suppression – it has to be adaptive to every way that you reach out to customers. While we see this most often in email marketing campaigns, by no means is it limited to that medium.
What suppression strategies do you have in place for phone numbers? UnsubCentral is now introducing a new layer of compliance – phone number suppression.
UnsubCentral is more than just a storage and export tool for sensitive contact information – we offer an evolving platform that adapts to changes we’re seeing every day. Our phone number scrubbing is the latest development in resolving our customer’s needs, and is filled with features perfect for SMS and phone marketing campaigns.
Upload Raw Phone Numbers – Manually entering in phone numbers to a suppression tool is a waste of time and resources. Our tool can take plain text and compare it against MD5 or SHA hashed lists of phone numbers – simply throw in the data, and it will do the hard work for you.
Scrub Numbers in Real Time – Time is money. Our tool is designed to work in real time, meaning thousands of numbers can be scrubbed in seconds and is immediately available to your entire team. For example, you can upload a list of numbers and instantly suppress them, so any blocked call from your campaign would appear as ‘Private’ or ‘Unknown’ on the recipient’s screen.
Centralized Data – Working remote? No problem. UnsubCentral stores its data in a secure, centralized location that can be accessed by your entire phone marketing team.
Most smartphones, including Android devices, come with built in features to block calls, block caller ID, and manage number blocking directly from device settings. You can also set your number to be hidden permanently or use carrier options for additional privacy. UnsubCentral’s solution complements these options by providing enterprise-level suppression and compliance for phone and SMS marketing.
Designed with simplicity in mind, our phone number scrubbing tool is already built into our existing unsubscribe ecosystem. Compare numbers on a one-to-one or one-to-many basis – no matter the scale of your project, our tools are built to handle any size request.
In addition to built in features on your smartphone, third party apps and call labeling services can be used alongside UnsubCentral for enhanced call screening. These services can label calls as ‘spam’ or ‘scam likely’ on the recipient’s screen, helping users decide whether to answer.
For those already using UnsubCentral, no additional work needs to be done to take advantage of this feature. This tool will be added on as an extension of existing services, meaning you won’t have to change anything to take advantage of this new tool.
Introduction to Call Blocking
Call blocking is an essential feature for anyone looking to take control of their phone and reduce the number of unwanted calls they receive. Whether it’s persistent telemarketers, scam calls, or unwanted spam calls, call blocking empowers users to stop these interruptions before they reach their device. Most modern phones come with built-in call blocking features, allowing users to block specific numbers directly from their phone settings or through a dedicated phone app. Additionally, many phone companies and third-party apps offer advanced call blocking services that can automatically detect and block spam calls, giving users even more protection. As unwanted calls continue to be a problem, companies and app developers are constantly improving their services to help users block unwanted calls and enjoy a more peaceful phone experience.
Understanding Caller ID
Caller ID is a widely used feature that displays the phone number of the caller when you receive a call, helping you decide whether to answer calls from unknown numbers. However, if you want to keep your phone number private, caller ID blocking—also known as caller ID suppression—can help. By enabling caller ID blocking in your phone settings or by dialing a specific code before making a call, you can prevent your phone number from appearing on the recipient’s device. When caller ID suppression is active, your calls will show up as “Private,” “Blocked,” or “Unknown,” helping you maintain your privacy and avoid unwanted identification. This feature is especially useful for users who want to keep their personal number confidential or avoid unwanted attention when making calls.
Staying Compliant With Unsubscribe Requests and Unwanted Calls
The rules regarding email unsubscribes are strict – failure to comply can result in fines of up to $43,280 per email. Laws around robocalling (namely the TRACED Act) also carry steep fees with up to $10,000 per call, but phone marketing from an individual doesn’t carry the same fines.
But just because you won’t be charged for a call doesn’t mean you shouldn’t acknowledge a customer’s preferences. People want to be heard. Failing to acquiesce to a request to stop calling or receiving SMS messages creates more than dissatisfaction – it means losing a customer forever. Regulations like the Telemarketing Sales Rule require obtaining a person’s consent before making certain types of calls or using their telephone number for telemarketing purposes. It is important to use suppression and privacy features responsibly to respect individuals’ rights and maintain compliance.
Our philosophy is based around giving customers the flexibility to control how you communicate with them. Simply requesting to be taken off of a list doesn’t mean a customer wants to stop using your product or service, but not doing so can push them away from you towards competition. Acknowledging requests builds brand loyalty, increasing the likelihood that they will continue to come even when your communication stops.
Phone Number Compliance is Only One Part of Our Toolbox
Scrubbing phone numbers is only a part of what our unsubscribe compliance tools have to offer. Unsub Defender, our latest offering, goes beyond just phone numbers.
Emails, addresses, zip codes, and more can all be scrubbed with the same degree of ease and efficiency, making it useful for a vast array of unsubscribe requests. Provided any two data sets are standardized, they can be scrubbed, giving you the information you need in seconds. Collecting additional information, such as caller details or complaint data, can also help organizations analyze trends and improve their call-blocking strategies. It’s that simple.
Reporting Unwanted Calls
If you’re receiving unwanted calls, taking action can help protect yourself and others from scams and spam. You can report unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or directly to your phone company, providing details such as the phone number that received the call, the caller ID information, and the date and time of the call. Registering your number with the National Do Not Call Registry is another effective way to reduce telemarketing calls. Many third-party apps also allow you to block unwanted calls and report them directly through the app, helping to identify and stop persistent scammers. By reporting unwanted calls, you contribute to a safer phone environment for everyone.
UnsubCentral is Committed to Continuous Improvement
In Q3 alone we have added Unsub Defender and our Outbound Email Filtering Tool to our roster of tools in our unsubscribe ecosystem. But don’t expect our offerings to end here. With so many new ways to respond to customer engagement, companies position themselves for success. UnsubCentral is also exploring ways to enhance compliance for text messages, addressing privacy and suppression needs for SMS marketing.
We are always open to finding new ways to improve your customer’s experience every day by understanding the changing needs of the environment.
Losing customers when they unsubscribe from your marketing campaigns isn’t a loss – it is an opportunity to learn what works and respond to feedback. UnsubCentral is constantly learning about our client’s experiences, and using that information to create better software to meet those needs.
Get Ahead of Your Organization’s Compliance
Download our free compliance handbook to understand why companies are getting fined thousands of dollars and see how you can start improving your company’s email compliance.
Common Questions
Q: How do I block my number when making a call?A: To block your number for a specific call, simply dial *67 before entering the phone number you wish to call. This will block your caller ID for that call only, showing your call as “Private” or “Unknown” to the recipient. You can also enable caller ID blocking for all outgoing calls through your phone settings or by using a phone app that offers this feature.
Q: Can I block unwanted calls on my landline?A: Yes, you can block unwanted calls on your landline by using a call-blocking device or by contacting your phone company to activate call blocking services. Many companies now offer advanced call blocking features for both landlines and mobile phones.
Q: How do I silence unknown callers on my iPhone?A: On your iPhone, you can use the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature found in your phone settings. When enabled, calls from unknown numbers will go straight to voicemail, helping you avoid interruptions from unwanted or anonymous calls.
Q: Can I use Google Voice to block my number?A: Absolutely. Google Voice allows you to make calls using a virtual phone number, which helps keep your personal number private. You can also use Google Voice settings to block specific numbers or manage incoming and outgoing calls for added privacy.
Q: How do I report illegal robocalls?A: You can report illegal robocalls to the FTC at ftc.gov/robocalls. Be sure to provide as much information as possible, including the phone number that received the call, the caller ID number, and the date and time of the call. Reporting these calls helps authorities track and stop illegal robocallers.