IT’S NOT A SCAM CALL: How Companies Can Restore Trust in the Phone Call
Companies are all too familiar with this harsh reality: Dial a customer’s number, only to hit a dead end. You might leave a voicemail, crossing your fingers for a callback, or persistently dial again, hoping for a response on the second (or third) attempt. It’s a colossal time drain and a source of immense frustration.
But why does this recurring ordeal unfold? The simple truth is, people harbor deep distrust towards phone calls, especially when they originate from unknown or anonymous numbers.
Customers Want You To Call:
Yes, it’s true—people still value phone calls. A staggering 75% of consumers express a preference for hearing from you when faced with complex issues or numerous questions.
However, despite your company’s genuine efforts, trust in phone calls remains severely lacking for two primary reasons: the absence of caller identification and the prevalence of scam callers.
It’s Not A YOU Problem well…maybe:
Here’s the plain truth—most individuals don’t utilize a caller ID service on their phones (less than 10 percent, to be precise). Consequently, when you make a call, your name doesn’t pop up unless the recipient has your contact information saved. Putting the onus on the customer to take proactive steps is risky, given the susceptibility of unknown numbers to spoofing. If your number falls victim to spoofing, it could tarnish perceptions of your company and brand.
When an anonymous number appears on the screen, people instinctively hesitate to answer. They’re left in the dark about the caller’s identity and intentions. Moreover, they’ve been conditioned to avoid answering calls altogether—a result of the pervasive presence of unscrupulous yet highly lucrative phone scammers.
SCAM CALLS are Big BIG Money:
Recent data from Truecaller reveals a staggering truth: from June 2020 to June 2021, Americans suffered losses nearing $30 billion due to scam calls. Remarkably, if amalgamated into a single entity, these scammers would secure the 100th spot on the prestigious Fortune 500 list—an astonishing feat.
Within the past year alone, over 59 million Americans fell victim to phone scams, enduring an average financial loss of $502 per incident. Shockingly, some individuals reported being bombarded with up to 25 scam calls daily.
Given these alarming statistics, it’s hardly surprising that people are hesitant to pick up their phones.
Trends In SCAM CALLS:
Based on insights from First Orion data, the top three prevalent scam calls in August 2021 were:
- Vehicle warranty scams
- Social Security scams
- Mobile carrier scams
Revitalizing Trust in Phone Calls: A Call to Action for Companies
Undoubtedly, scammers bear the brunt of responsibility for eroding consumer trust. Their intrusive tactics not only annoy but also inflict financial harm on unsuspecting individuals.
Nevertheless, businesses hold the power to mend this fractured trust. Embracing branded calling solutions enables companies to reclaim control over their caller ID and call messaging. By customizing and branding each call, they can communicate their identity and purpose clearly on the recipient’s screen, thereby encouraging more responses and meaningful interactions.
Moreover, branded calling solutions offer invaluable benefits such as brand protection and enhanced spoof mitigation. By dynamically adjusting call display names based on the recipient, companies can ensure precision and personalization in their communications. The dividends are manifold—beyond mitigating spoofing, businesses stand to gain a bolstered brand reputation, strengthened client relationships, and deeper customer engagement.
It’s time to reshape the narrative around phone interactions and instill confidence in consumers once again.
