As a home services contractor, you know the importance of phone calls when it comes to landing clients and potential leads. Many companies use call tracking and tracking phone numbers to streamline their lead generation process. However, this can make you vulnerable to spam calls that can disrupt your business operations, waste valuable time, and hinder your home services marketing efforts. In this blog post, we'll explore several tips and tricks to help you combat spam calls and protect your home services business.

Where Do All The Spam Calls Come From?

If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of hundreds of spam calls, you've likely found yourself wondering where all those pesky calls are coming from. Most often, spam calls are generated by automated dialing systems (typically referred to as robo-calls). These systems can churn out calls at an incredible rate, targeting a wide range of phone numbers, including yours. They may be used for a variety of purposes, such as promoting products, scams, or even political messages.

However, some spam calls can come from telemarketers, marketing firms, lead generation services, and more. The other big question is: How Do These Spam Callers Get My Phone Number? Understanding the sources of these unwanted calls can help you take more effective steps to combat them. There are several common methods and sources through which spammers obtain your contact information:

• Public Directories: Your business phone number may be publicly listed in directories, both online and offline. Many spam callers gather numbers from these directories, so consider whether it's necessary to have your contact information listed or if you can limit the details shared.
• Data Leaks and Breaches: Unfortunately, data breaches are not uncommon, and your phone number could be exposed through a security breach in a third-party service or website where your information is stored. Stay informed about data breaches and update your contact information if necessary.
• Online Directories and Review Sites: Business review websites and online directories might display your phone number. Be vigilant about the platforms where your information is listed and regularly check to ensure your contact details are accurate.
• Purchased Lists: Some spammers obtain phone numbers from lists that are sold or traded on the dark web or through less reputable means. This can be challenging to prevent, but regularly monitoring your online presence and adjusting your contact information can help.
• Malware and Phishing Attacks: Malicious software and phishing attacks can lead to the theft of your contact information, including your phone number. Protect your systems with robust cybersecurity measures to minimize these threats.

Steps You Can Take To Prevent Spam Calls

1. Implement a Phone Tree

A phone tree, also known as an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, is a great way to combat spam calls. It directs incoming calls through a series of prompts and options, allowing legitimate callers to reach the right department or individual while deterring spammers. Here's how to set up a phone tree:

• Create a professional greeting: Start with a welcoming and professional message that instructs callers to press specific numbers for various services or departments.
• Set up call routing: Configure your IVR system to route calls based on the caller's input. Legitimate callers will navigate the menu and reach their intended destination, while spammers are less likely to persist.
• Include a "Press 0 for Operator" option: This allows genuine emergency or urgent calls to bypass the menu and reach a live person quickly.

2. Use Call Filtering Apps

There are various call-filtering apps available that can help you screen and block spam calls. These apps use extensive databases of known spammers and employ algorithms to identify and filter out unwanted calls. Popular options include Nomorobo, Hiya, and Truecaller. Implementing such an app on your business phones can significantly reduce the number of spam calls you receive.

3. Add Captcha Tests to all forms on your website

If your business website requires visitors to fill out contact forms or registrations, your phone number might be collected by spammers. To minimize this risk, ensure that your website developer has security measures in place, like CAPTCHA tests, to differentiate between human users and automated bots.

4. Enable Call Blocking on Your Phone System

Most modern phone systems come with the option to block specific numbers. Whenever a spam call is identified, block that number immediately. If you're using a call tracking system, ensure it has the capability to block or filter calls based on predefined criteria.

Streamline Your Marketing Efforts By Combating Spam Callers

Spam calls can be a major nuisance for home services contractors, but with the right strategies, you can effectively combat them. It’s important to remember that you will never be able to block all spam calls, but by taking certain precautions you can drastically cut down the amount of spam you receive. The tips above are all valuable techniques to safeguard your business against unwanted interruptions and protect your time and resources for genuine leads and clients. 

By staying proactive and adopting these measures, you can maintain a smooth and productive communication process for your home services company. For more information on how you can streamline your marketing efforts and get more qualified leads, schedule a free discovery call with Vinnie Mac Restoration Marketing here.