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Category: Learn

How to Implement a Call Center Disaster Recovery Plan? [Checklist & Template]

5th April 2022 blog
An image of a call center disaster recovery plan.

Call centers could experience many different emergency situations, including environmental crises, pandemics, hardware failures, human errors, hacking, and more. These disasters often occur without warning and can impact your business …Read More »

The Ultimate Guide to Toll-Free Number Porting

4th April 2022 blog, Call Management
An image of our toll-free number porting guide.

Locked in a low-quality toll-free service provider? Tired of paying high monthly bills? Want to add advanced call management features to your phone system? Thankfully, you’re not stuck with your …Read More »

Domestic Toll-Free vs International Toll-Free: Understanding the Difference

31st March 2022 blog
An image of a comparison between domestic toll free numbers and ITFS numbers.

You’re probably wondering – aren’t toll-free numbers obsolete in today’s technology-driven business environment? While toll-free numbers have existed for decades, they are still relevant to this day. In fact, most …Read More »

Why is VoIP Geo-Redundancy a Top Business Priority?

30th March 2022 blog
An image of VoIP Geo Redundancy.

We live in a highly-connected and online-obsessed economy, leading to the expectation that individuals and businesses should always be available. So what happens when your business suffers an outage or …Read More »

9 Themes and Takeaways from Enterprise Connect 2022

25th March 2022 blog
Enterprise Connect 2022 Themes and Takeaways

Enterprise Connect (EC) 2022 just took place from March 21-24, 2022. This year’s expo was fantastic with a wonderfully decorated floor plan, an absolutely stacked speaker panel, and cutting-edge technologies …Read More »

What is VoIP Termination and Why Do You Need it?

24th March 2022 blog
An image of how VoIP calls get connected and terminated.

Dropped calls, inaccessibility, and high calling costs are unacceptable when it comes to enterprise communications. Without high-quality voice, your business will have a hard time connecting with essential customers and …Read More »

How to Call 1800 Numbers From Puerto Rico

21st November 2017 How To's, Learn

There are many questions that you may have regarding making calls across borders, especially when you are calling another location in the world. If you are in Puerto Rico and you have to make an international call using a 1800 number, do you know exactly how to do it? If you do not know how to go through the prompts, it can be a bit complicated. You may end up spending a lot of money for a single call. Above all, you need to know the steps for calling 1800 numbers from Puerto Rico.

Do you Need to Call the US From Puerto Rico Often?

There may come a time when you need to make calls from Puerto Rico. Perhaps you want to call 1800 because your family is in another location and it will give you peace of mind if you can speak to them as often as possible. All the while, it will be of utmost importance to be able to make calls without huge expenses.

Here are the steps for how to call US 1800 numbers from Puerto Rico to the United States:

  1. Dial 011-1
  2. Dial 1800
  3. Dial the landline number or the mobile phone number that you are trying to call.

If in the event you do not understand the numbers that are mentioned above, you should remember the following:

  • 011 – This is the exit code for Puerto Rico. When you dial this, it means that you are making an international phone call.
  • 1 – This is the country code of the United States.
  • 800 – This is one of the area codes of the United States. Remember that there are different codes available. You need to dial a different area code if you are calling a person or a company located in a different country.

Let us say that you want to know how to call Puerto Rico when you are in a different location. You also have to know the international code (+787), the area codes and the actual Puerto Rico phone numbers in order to proceed. This is the same with all other destinations.

What If You Need Unlimited Calls?

It was mentioned earlier that if you needed to make calls to your loved ones and you would be calling internationally all the time, the phone bills will be exorbitant. As an alternative, there are different ways that you can get unlimited calls to the US from Puerto Rico.

Use Call Collect – This is ideal if you are calling to contact a company. Perhaps you have some questions about some products you have purchased recently or you have some inquiries about the availability of the products you want. A company may offer call collect so that you can call them and not pay for the call. It will also help to know Puerto Rico toll-free numbers that you can use for your calling needs.
Use an App – Applications have truly changed the way that people communicate with each other. Gone are the days when writing letters was the only method available in order to communicate. Calling via phone used to be very expensive; but now you can use an app to call people for free. Whether you are going to call sellers, companies, your friends, or your family members, the right app can be effective. With different features available, there are things you can utilize that would not otherwise be available via other platforms.
Find Affordable Phone Services – There are phone providers that offer various packages that will fit your different needs. Global Call Forwarding is one of such companies that can provide the services you want by looking at their offerings. They even offer plans with unlimited calls. Subscribers have the option to reach more than one number when they call from Puerto Rico to another country. There are different considerations to think about, but with the right service provider, meeting your needs as a caller will be possible.

Some Tips on Calling Internationally

  1. Make sure that you know the right area code. There are various prefixes assigned to different countries. The moment that you make a mistake with even a single digit, you will be dialing a wrong number. This can be a hassle not only for you but for the household, company, or person that you called.
  2. Take note of the time difference. A 12-hour time difference is no joke, especially if the receiver is getting the call at an awkward or absurd hour. Companies normally offer 24-hour services but if you are calling 1800 for personal reasons, take note of the time zones.
  3. Calling via landline or mobile phone is almost the same. You just have to know the exact number to call so you will not make a mistake.
  4. If you are going to use phone services in order to make calls, make sure that you choose the best one available depending on your needs. There are different packages and plans offered by different companies. It will be up to you to choose.
  5. Have a phone that can call internationally. In some countries, though you may have a phone to make outgoing calls to international locations, there are some types of calls that are limited. Make sure that your phone can be used internationally before you start calling, however.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that people assume that calling from Canada, or other areas in North America will be the same as calling from Puerto Rico. This is not the case, and you should always learn the specifics prior to making calls to 1800 numbers so that no surprises will come up.

Additionally, there are still going to be some slight differences such as with the phone service plans that are being offered by different providers. Calling internationally will not be hard to do when you choose a service provider such as Global Call Forwarding that offers calling plans at affordable rates.

With all of the details that you have learned, you are now aware that calling 1800 numbers from Puerto Rico is possible, as long as you know what to do.

Business Telephone Etiquette

21st November 2017 Learn, Tech, Tips

Whether your business deals with local or international clients, understanding and practicing business telephone etiquette can ensure your business maintains professionalism and communicates effectively with its clients. Let’s learn how to practice proper business phone etiquette.

Business Telephone Communication

As easy as making and receiving telephone calls can be, many still do not know that rules guide telephone conversations, especially in the professional or business context. Business communication is a critical dimension of every organization. It can set the tone for many business activities involving clients and customers and other businesses such as closing deals, onboarding new customers, or offering customer support. Business calls play a major role in the day-to-day operations of many businesses. Companies need to contact potential customers, clients, and vendors and receive calls from customers about product inquiries and assistance.

The Importance of Proper Business Telephone Etiquette

Having good business telephone etiquette is beyond your ability to speak fluently and offer pleasant greetings. It is more about leaving a good and lasting impression on the person on the other end of the line. Since your next phone conversation could be your initial contact with a client, customer, or even your superior, you are presented with an opportunity to make a good connection and build a relationship.

Having the proper phone etiquette for business calls is necessary for every business that takes its professional image seriously. Have you ever contacted a business’s customer care department only to be greeted by a rude or uninterested representative? Did that response and interaction make you want to take your business elsewhere? This is where having stellar business telephone etiquette plays an important role in supporting your sales and customer support services. When a poor first impression is given, many businesses suffer, which often leads to a loss of customers and low sales conversions.

How a business communicates with its customers and clients will determine how they will be perceived. Therefore it becomes essential that businesses invest in training their employees to answer or initiate telephone calls. They also need to be aware of international business phone etiquette and how to connect with global customers effectively.

Furthermore, they must identify when a telephone call is the best means of communicating with a client, customer, or business contact. Employees must understand their audience and the most appropriate method to communicate with them. This depends on the type of business you run and what the interaction with the customer is about. In some cases, customers may prefer email or SMS contact instead of phone conversations.

11 Tips For Efficient Phone Etiquette for Business

So, what are some key phone etiquette rules? Here are 11 practical tips for business telephone etiquette that every employee should exercise when communicating with clients, customers, business contacts, and vendors:

  1. When answering a work or business phone, do not allow the phone to ring for too long. Three times is the ideal number of times that a business phone should ring.
  2. Ensure that you identify yourself at the beginning of every call. When answering the phone: “Hello” or “Good morning; customer support department, XYZ speaking.” When placing a call: state your name and the name of the person you are calling.
  3. Hold the phone at a distance of about 2 fingers from your mouth for clarity. Do not keep repeating the same thing over and over again; the other party might become uninterested and hang up.
  4. The tone of your voice can tell the other party a lot. Ensure you maintain a friendly yet professional tone. Avoid sounding nervous or aggressive. Speak with confidence and authority. Sit up in your chair when receiving phone calls to maintain your composure. Stand if it will be more comfortable.
  5. Prepare for a call before dialing the number. Ensure that you have thought through what you want to discuss. Write your talking points down on a notepad, so you do not leave anything out. This will help you to be direct and precise should your calls be forwarded to a voicemail.
  6. Listen to the other person without interruption. Under no circumstance should you interrupt them while they are passing on their information.
  7. If you must transfer a call, inform the caller before doing so. Explain why you need to transfer their call. First, confirm that the person you are transferring the call to is available to attend to the customer. Also, let the customer know who they are being transferred to.
  8. If you have to put a caller on hold, ask their permission first. You can also give them the option to leave a voicemail message. When you resume the call, ensure that you thank them for their patience.
  9. Always turn off your phone/ringer during a business meeting or call. It is not polite if your phone rings in the middle of a business decision.
  10. If you are expecting a call about the same time you enter a meeting, inform the caller beforehand about your meeting and that you will return their call as soon as you can.
  11. When speaking to a client or business contact on the phone, keep a distance from anything that can be a distraction. These include office desk noises, keys jingling, rustling papers, eating, or chewing. If you have to take a phone call while driving, ensure that you use a hands-free device or a speakerphone for your car. Giving your caller your undivided attention translates to treating them with respect, which is the most important business telephone etiquette foundation.

Invest in Business Phone Services

The importance of business telephone etiquette explains why many businesses invest heavily in their communication department regarding personnel and equipment. Both small and large businesses invest in call forwarding services to enable them to keep the lines of communication open at all times. Call forwarding companies like Global Call Forwarding make these services available to businesses globally. They offer various business communication solutions like SMS forwarding, virtual assistants, and much more for seamless business communications.

How to Port a Phone Number From Vonage

16th November 2017 Learn, Tech

Number portability is a service that allows you to transfer your phone connection from one provider to another, without changing your phone number. Instead of being stuck with the same old service provider, you can instead upgrade to a better provider while keeping your existing phone number. This is the major difference between switching to a new provider and having to deal with getting a new number, and the convenience of porting your phone number.

There may be many reasons for porting your phone number. Some of them include:

You are moving: If you are moving to a new location that isn’t served by your current provider, you may need to change to a different carrier. Toll-free number porting is a good way to ensure you can retain your phone number at the new location while enjoying quality service.

  • Network coverage: Not every service provider has the same quality of network coverage. Some providers offer excellent coverage, while others have poor network coverage. If your provider does not offer you decent network coverage, it is a solid reason for you to look into porting your number.
  • Tariff: Obviously, tariff charges vary greatly from one provider to another. If your current plan is too expensive, porting your number to a more affordable service provider is a good idea.
  • Speed: Seamless connectivity is what everyone desires, but not every provider offers good speed. When you need to communicate with clients daily, you cannot afford to have a slow connection. In such a case, number porting is a stellar option.
  • Customer service: An important but often overlooked feature is customer service. It should be prompt and available all the time. It is always beneficial to port your number to a different provider that offers better customer service.

Porting your Vonage number to a different provider is the same as with any other number. The only issue with a Vonage number is that they do not list your phone number on the phone bill, but it is essential for proving that you have the authority to port the number.

In this article, we will guide you through the steps for porting your Vonage number to another provider. They are as follows:

Step 1: Gather All Your Documents

Before you even start the phone number porting process from Vonage, you need to have all the documents and information to prove that the number is yours and that you have the authority to port it. Collect all the documents associated with the number, including the most recent phone bill with your name on it. You will need to submit this to the provider you are porting your number to.

Since the phone bill doesn’t have your number on it, you have to contact Vonage and ask them to provide you with a Customer Service Report (CSR), which contains all the information they have on file for your number. You should also let them know that you are porting your number and ask if there are any formalities you are required to fulfill.

Step 2: Screenshot of your Account Page

This is another workaround to the issue of not having your number on the phone bill. If the CSR does not suffice, you have to provide further documentation. This can be done by taking a screenshot of your Vonage account page and submitting it to the new provider. Make sure that the page has your name and number on it because this is required to prove your authority to port the number.

Step 3: Submit Documents

Now that you have all the pertinent information regarding your number, it is time to submit it to the service provider you wish to port your number. Phone bill, CSR, screenshots, and any other information to prove your authority to port the number must be submitted to the provider. Always make sure that there is sufficient proof of your ownership of the phone number.

Step 4: Complete and Sign an LOA

This is an essential step. A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required for any phone number port because this letter explicitly proves that the primary account holder (you, in this case), has authorized the transfer of the numbers to a new service provider by signing. This is an electronic document that can be completed, signed, and submitted online.

Read and complete the form carefully, making sure that the information you put in matches the information that the current provider has on file for the number. The form will be emailed to you when you initiate your porting request.

Step 5: In Case your Port is Rejected

A port getting rejected is a common occurrence. If your port gets rejected, you may only be given the official reason for the rejection by asking an agent of the new service provider. It may not be clear why your number was not ported, and you may not be given any information on whether or not there is anything you can do to fix this.

The best way to figure it out is by talking to a Vonage agent. This is also a good time to consult your CSR and find out if you provided the correct information to the carrier. If you think all information was correct, you should contact Vonage and get the issue fixed.

Step 6: Check your email

That’s all you have to do on your end to initiate the VoIP number porting process. Once the provider has all of your information, you will receive an email that states when you can expect to have your number ported. The majority of ports are simple, and they take a week to ten days, on average if all the steps are completed promptly. A few days before the port is completed, you will get another email that lets you know the day and time when your number will port. You can also find out the status of the port by talking to the customer service agent.

Keep in mind though, that number porting doesn’t always guarantee you will be able to keep your existing number. However, unless you are moving to a completely different country altogether, it is very possible that you may be able to retain your existing number by porting it from Vonage.

Call Recording Laws

9th November 2017 Learn, Tech, Tips

Are you interested in recording a phone call with someone? Did you know it might not be that easy, depending on where you live? Yep, that’s true: whipping out your phone and pressing record may not be entirely legal in all situations.

For example, if the jurisdiction you are living in says that you must have an agreement from the individual or individuals that you want to record, then you must comply.

Otherwise, you will be breaking the law.

So, what are Call Recording Laws?

In case you’re wondering, there are Federal laws that allow recording of telephone calls and in-person conversations. However, this must be done with the permission of at least one of the people involved.

To Record, or not to Record? That is the Question

Call recording laws are tricky. This is because the rules are different in each state. Now, this begs the question of which state administers the law when you are talking to an individual in a different state. You see, what you might be able to get away within one state, might be different in another state because of the laws.

For instance, Georgia might require the consent of all parties to the conversation, while in California laws may be much more relaxed, or even more stringent. All you may need is the consent of one party and you’re good to go. However, it is important to understand that it is not always clear whether state or federal law applies, and if they do which of the two appropriate state laws controls them. If this is something you’re looking into, it would be wise to have all of your information understood ahead of time to ensure you’re not running into any legal issues.

Here’s something you can keep in mind; a good rule of thumb is that the government of the state in which the recording device is found will apply. A few states, however, might decide to adopt an alternate strategy while tending to the issue. There is always the possibility of a twist being thrown in, and having the law enforced from the state in which the individual being recorded is found. Sounds confusing?

In situations in which recording a call with parties in different states may be taking place, it is best to conform to the strictest laws that may apply, or just take things the easy way, and get everybody’s permission. It is, most certainly, by and large, lawful to record a discussion where every party involved in the gathering agrees to it.

Laws on Recording Conversations

Recording conversations might sound fun, but you need to exude caution. As mentioned earlier, laws on recording conversations are different everywhere. Now, the confusing part comes in when, unfortunately, it is not always easy for you to tell which code operates towards communication, particularly a phone call. For instance, if you’re in Florida and the person you are recording is in Alaska, then it is hard to say in advance whether state or federal law applies. Plus, suppose state law does apply; which of the two applicable state laws will control the circumstances at that point?

If that’s the case, if you decide to record a phone call with people in more than one state, then, you might want to play it safe and get the appropriate permission from everybody. Afterward, once you and the individual you are recording are both situated in the same state, at that point you can rely pretty surely on the law of that state.

Who’s Responsible for Authorizing the Recording of a Phone or In-Person Discussion?

Government law grants recording phone calls and in-person discussions with the assent of no less than one of the parties. See 18 U.S.C. 2511(2)(d). You might recognize this as the “one-party consent” rule. Under a one-party assent law, you can record a telephone call or conversation; just make sure you get permission from the other party, and you will be good to go. Moreover, on the off chance that you are not a party to the conversation, a “one-party assent” law will enable you to record the discussion or telephone call since your source gives permission and has full information that the conversation will be recorded.

At What Point Must you Get Consent from Everyone Required Prior to Recording?

So, are there card recording laws in your state? If you are living in one of the ten states that require the permission of every party to a phone call or discussion to make the recording legal, keep it mind that permission from just one party will not suffice. These “two-party consent” rules have been approved in the following;

  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Montana
  • New Hampshire
  • Pennsylvania
  • and Washington

Although they are known as “two-party assent” laws, permission must be acquired from each member of a telephone call or discussion if it includes more than two people. In some of these states, it may be sufficient if all gatherings to the call or discussion realize that you are recording and continue with the correspondence at any rate, regardless of the possibility that they don’t voice expressed permission.

Can you Record a Call or Discussion Without Consent from One of the Members?

It often does not even matter, whether a state or federal law governs the circumstances, it is almost always unlawful to record a private conversation or phone call to which you are not a party, do not have consent from a person involved, and could not have overheard the conversation naturally. Moreover, government and many state laws don’t allow you to secretly bug or use recording gadgets on the phone, in a home, office or eatery to covertly record a discussion between two individuals who have not agreed to do this.

Is there any Difference for the Government?

Now, when it comes to government issues, things are a little different. This is because discussions that cross with government-related business matters or problems conceivably influencing national security have a provision of laws that contrast from discussions being recorded between typical individual subjects or non-government organizations. Wiretapping additionally incorporates the reconnaissance or potentially recording of PC utilization, email trades, and remote correspondences, and it is often quite unlawful.

So, there you have it! A mini crash course on call recording laws!

What is the Do Not Call Registry?

9th November 2017 Learn, Tech, Tips

The National Do Not Call Registry is a compiled list of phone numbers belonging to people who do not wish to receive calls from vendors or telemarketers. The registry is administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is the United States’ consumer protection agency.

Created in 2003, the National Do Not Call Registry is designed to give consumers freedom of choice when it comes to receiving telemarketing calls. Only personal numbers can be added to the register. Business numbers and fax numbers are not covered. Once added, telephone numbers will remain on the registry until they are disconnected, reassigned, or until the consumer decides to remove their number from the list.

What Types of Calls are Covered by the Do Not Call Registry?

The ‘do not call’ regulations of the Telemarketing Sale Rule (TSR) cover any campaign, program or plan to sell services and goods through phone calls. This includes calls made by telemarketers who are acting on behalf of third-party vendors and vendors who are providing or offering services and goods to consumers in exchange for or as part of a telemarketing transaction.

The Do Not Call Registry’s provisions do not cover calls from charitable foundations, political organizations, telephone surveys, or companies with which the consumer already has a business relationship.

Organizations which are Exempt from the Do Not Call Registry

Your organization may be eligible for exempt status from the Do Not Call Registry if it is a non-profit organization or an organization that only makes calls for one of the following reasons:

  • A message that is purely informational is being delivered. For example, the call is being made to inform a consumer about the delivery status of an order.
  • The call is being made for the sole purpose of conducting a survey, which is not part of a plan to solicit purchases of services or goods.
  • The call is being made specifically to promote a political party or candidate.
  • The call is being made from one business to another business in order to solicit a purchase.
  • The call is being made in an attempt to solicit a charitable donation.
  • The call is being made to a consumer who already has an established business relationship with the organization making the call.

Calls may also be made to consumers who have given their written consent to receive calls from telemarketers.

Who Has Access to the Do Not Call Registry?

The only people who can access the Do Not Call Registry are telemarketers, vendors, and other service providers.

The numbers on the Do Not Call Registry may not be used for any purpose other than preventing telemarketing calls to the numbers listed on the registry. Use of the numbers for any other purpose could result in legal action being taken.

You can access the Do Not Call Registry through the telemarketing.donotcall.gov secure website. You must sign up and set up a profile by providing information about your organization. If you are accessing the registry on behalf of a vendor client, then you must also provide their information.

If you are required to use the Do Not Call Registry, then you must update your lists to match the registry every 31 days. Your access to the registry is only for the area codes for which you have paid.

Your access is unlimited until your annual fee has expired.

Paying for Access to the Do Not Call Registry

For organizations who wish to access the registry, information for up to five area codes is free. For subsequent data, there is an annual fee of $62 per area code, up to a maximum fee of $17,021. The fee is paid on an annual basis. The fee covers a period of twelve months following the first day of the month in which the subscription was paid. Exempt organizations may access the registry without paying a fee. An organization that pays the fee with a credit card will receive immediate access to the registry.

An organization that pays the subscription fee by electronic transfer of funds will gain access once the payment has cleared. Organizations that want to access information from more area codes than originally chosen may do so, but charges will incur if the total number of area codes is in excess of five. Additional charges of $62 per area code will be made during the first six months of the annual period. During the second six months, the organization will be charged $31 for each new area code.

Organizations’ Compliance and Liability

An organization that is a vendor or telemarketer may be liable for making telemarketing calls, even to numbers that are not listed in the Do Not Call Registry, if the vendor has not first accessed the registry and paid the appropriate fee. Each call that is made counts as a separate violation. Each violation can incur a fine of up to $43,792.

It is against the law for a vendor or telemarketer to call any number listed in the Do Not Call Registry unless the vendor or telemarketer has already established a business relationship with the consumer or the consumer has provided written consent to be called.

It is also against the law for a vendor or telemarketer to call a consumer within a given area code unless the vendor has first subscribed to the section of the Do Not Call Registry covering that area code. You can obtain more detailed information about compliance in the online guide Complying with the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

If you are thinking of trying to draw new business with a call campaign, before you dial, make sure you are aware of the National Do Not Call Registry rules and regulations.

Otherwise, you may end up on the receiving end of some heavy fines and your phone number might get marked as spam. Remember, it’s okay to call a client if you have an existing business relationship, or if you are taking a survey, but you must be aware of state Do Not Call lists.

10 of the Best Vanity Phone Numbers

8th November 2017 Learn, Tips

Vanity Phone Numbers

Are you be considering a vanity number for your company? This might be a very good business move. Why? Well, a vanity number is not just an ordinary number. In fact, it will not just help your business sound more qualified, but it will also look more qualified as it bears a number that is at once, instantly recognizable.

You might not know this, but a vanity number is what can put any business at the top of their game. Wait, let’s slow down here. Maybe you’re not that familiar with vanity phone numbers. Okay, let’s pretend nobody knows. A vanity number is a toll-free or local telephone number for which a subscriber desires a specific sequence of numbers for marketing purposes. Starting to ring a bell? They are specifically chosen phone words (for example, 1-800-Battery or Food or 1-800-Flowers), that enable you to use your number as part of your branding, because they represent the wording of your company in some way or another.

phone keys

These vanity phone numbers did not just pop up out of the blue. They have been around since the early 1990s. Thus, a lot of standard vanity phone numbers have been taken and utilized.

Now, you might see numbers that end with digits that repeated themselves (such as -1111) are intensely publicized by taxi and food delivery corporations; for example, the pizza chain that has trademarked 967-1111, a local number in Toronto. If you get a vanity toll free number, it will more than likely have a word or a phrase, which is connected to your company. A lot of the times, it will be the name of your product, or business or service. So, your clienteles can recognize who you are and what kind of service you are bringing to the community.

You might not know this, but there are numerous benefits of a significant contact number. They are clear in expressions of branding your enterprise, but at the same time, they do hold possibly dozens of other advantages for your advertising and processes. They are memorable; they enable customers to instantly correlate your business with a specific industry, which gives you precedence in their psychology when choosing a brand; they are fun, which also helps customers to recognize you, apart from others who all sound the same.

With that said, keep reading and learn about 10 of the Best Vanity Phone Numbers in existence!

800-Giant-Men

If you are looking to do some moving, then this is the number you’ll want to call. The Gentle Giant moving company sure distinguishes how to grab your attention. Now it’s a massive, Boston-based moving and storage and, the word on the street is that they get the job done, big-time.

800-Virus-No

The is a famous number that you might have seen around once or twice. It is evident that McAfee uses this number to make it known just what their product is supposed to do. It may be a little backwards in language structure, but you still get the point.

800-Junk-USA

This may or may not be a number that you are familiar with. However, it’s a vanity number that has been out for quite some time. Apparently, it involves College Hunks Hauling Junk who discovered just the right 800 number. Their marketing scheme makes it completely memorable for those in need of the service.

800-44-Store

Now here’s a number that sounds like it comes in handy. This public storage company might not have obtained the correct vanity number they were initially after, but nonetheless, you get the point, and it’s something that is just easy to remember at the end of the day. Anyway, if you’re looking for packaging and storage of goods then you might want to give them a call!

800-905-Geek

If you’re intrigued by vanity numbers that remind you of your nerdy high-school days, well this is it. Now, Geeks on Call are the people who will help you get your computer, or IT matters taken care of in a jiffy. More significantly, they aren’t shy to tell you that they are geeks; their 800 number is proof of their pride!

1 800 Go Fedex

The best vanity phone number will be a memorable phone number like 1 800-Go-FedEx. Now, this is a number that will always keep you on the top of your client’s cognizance.

1-800-HURT-NOW

Talk about a number that sticks out like a sore thumb, well this is definitely one! If you have a personal injury, you might want to give these guys a call. A vanity number like this one delivers an extra branding muscle and a memorable substitute. This is just one of numerous examples of how vanity toll-free numbers can increase business for legal authorities.

800-RU-Mouse – Mouse Systems Corp

Now, if you are having a bad day and you want to get a giggle or two in, vanity numbers like these will get you a laugh in. This company completely understood the idea of a catchy vanity number because this one does this trick when it comes to marketing purposes.

800-Dog-Poop

Now, if you are looking for a vanity phone number that will make you die laughing, this one will do the trick. If you have a dog and you’re looking for somebody that can help you with getting rid of the extra bowel movement lying around, then these are the people that you will want to get in contact with. Yes, if you haven’t already guessed it, they are a poop-scooping business.

800-IGo-HoJo

If you are still looking for laughs, then you’ve got to see this number. Apparently, Howard Johnson’s hotel franchise has a sense of humor as well because this number will get you on the floor, laughing out loud. You must admit that the creativity and the marketing for the vanity phone number are not bad at all.

These ten best vanity phone numbers are the kind of numbers that will make any business well-liked among their prospects and clienteles. This is because they can think of them and can with no trouble remember their business at the time of their necessity. Vanity phone numbers are precisely what you need to prosper in the business world.

Give your marketing efforts a boost with a vanity number today!

Building Credibility With Toll Free Numbers

1st November 2017 How To's, Learn

Business Credibility

A business can succeed in creating the perfect product or may have found the perfect solution that a market needs, but still struggle when it comes to credibility. Customers can be very skeptical when it comes to being offered new products and services, especially from a new company or start-up.

When new businesses discover new markets where they can offer their products and services, they often spend more time strategizing on how to convince prospective customers about their offerings and how they will benefit from them. However, the major challenges that they face are often related to credibility and how prospective customers will perceive new products and services. More importantly, customers want to know more about these new businesses that are offering these solutions.

The skepticism of customers towards a new business is rational even when they are impressed with the products being offered. They will always ask questions about the business and the products being offered to them. Therefore, it is the duty of new businesses to build some level of trust in order to win customers over.

For large businesses that already have a well-established reputation through many years of quality products and service delivery, selling a new product is a lot easier as they can resonate better with customers. Over their many years of existence, large businesses have developed numerous ways of building credibility and one of such ways is using a toll-free number.

In this article, we will focus on how businesses build credibility with toll-free numbers.

Toll-Free Numbers are Essential For Building Business Credibility

There are a number of factors that influence how customers perceive or assess the credibility of a business. One of such factors is the presence of a business near a customer’s location or the sense of it. Having toll-free numbers is one of the methods that businesses use in order to establish their presence. Toll-free numbers help businesses to extend their presence to as many places as possible, thereby building solid credibility.

It is often true that a business may offer a better product or service to prospective customers, but it may lack the presence that a bigger business has, which is often a key factor to consider in a competitive market. Bigger companies will always leverage on credibility when the issue of reputation is raised, while smaller businesses often play catch up in that area. However, the playing field has become quite level with the development of toll-free numbers; allowing smaller businesses to establish a business presence without having to be physically present.

Bigger businesses are better funded, which means that they can afford to buy or rent a new office structure in any country that they have identified opportunities within. Many years ago, it would have been impossible for smaller businesses to compete because there were no methods of establishing a business presence in a country of interest without having a new office or at least a few personnel. Today, smaller businesses can now compete for a share of the customer base easily due to technology.

When businesses utilize tools such as international toll-free numbers, their credibility becomes stronger and customers are able to trust them even better. Having an international toll-free number is another way of showing your customers that your business is closer to them rather than being a foreign brand, trying to sell them products and services. With the benefit of toll-free numbers, your business can be seen as international with a local presence.

A toll-free number through which customers can call your business is a very effective way of proving to them that your company can deliver. Customers are more comfortable with patronizing businesses that have toll-free numbers because they need the assurance that they can contact them should they have any inquiries or complaints. Also, they get to call without incurring any long-distance call charges. Therefore, a small business that is serious about establishing a presence can benefit from toll-free numbers.

A business can portray itself as a local brand or an international brand depending on the type of toll-free number that it is subscribed to.

International toll-free numbers are ideal for businesses looking for an international appeal while being easily accessible to customers in multiple countries. Businesses with a specific country of interest can leverage on country-specific toll-free numbers such as USA toll-free numbers, Italy toll-free numbers, and so on.

In order for businesses to fully maximize their toll-free numbers, they must place their 1-800 number on all their advertising platforms, such as handbills, billboards, flyers, radio and TV ads, newsletters, social media, and so forth. This way, prospective customers have your contact information available to them at all times.

Vanity Numbers

Vanity numbers are also a great way to make your toll-free numbers memorable by interchanging digits for letters. A vanity number also provides a great opportunity for branding. A business can interchange numbers with a word that resonates with the brand for better results.

How Do I Sign Up for Toll-Free Number Services

Global Call Forwarding is a leading toll-free number provider that offers services for businesses. Signing up for a toll-free number is very easy. All you need to do is visit the Global Call Forwarding website. They offer different plans depending on the volume of incoming calls that your business receives monthly, as well as other plans like minute-based packages. They also offer additional services like SMS forwarding, roll-over minutes, international toll-free numbers, and many more to boost your business’ communications.

Other Benefits Of Toll-Free Numbers

  • Toll-free numbers allow businesses to centralize their operations. Because toll-free numbers can be used from any location in the world, businesses with employees in multiple countries can communicate using just a single number.
  • Due to the portability of toll-free numbers, your business can retain their toll-free numbers even when they move from one network provider to another. Global Call forwarding ensures that your business enjoys uninterrupted services.
  • Global Call Forwarding offers additional features such as call forwarding and voicemail, all of which ensure that you do not miss a call even when you are on the go.
  • Your business can take advantage of toll-free numbers in generating leads. Because toll-free numbers are free to call, they help increase customer engagement.
  • Toll-free numbers are great for tracking customer location. If you have dedicated toll-free numbers for each of your marketing activities in different countries, you can easily identify where calls are coming from and where you need to increase marketing efforts.

Phone Calls and the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act

24th October 2017 Learn, Tips

What is the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)?

In the beginning of 2017, a reported 73% of United States citizens who died, passed away with some form of debt (credit, auto, mortgage, personal, or student). With such a large number of people living with debt, it is reasonable for people to want to understand their options because in reality, debt and finances are a daily part of our lives, and it can have so much determination on our individual quality of life.

So what is the FDCPA, and how can it help me?

The Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was set in place to protect individuals from being harassed by debt collectors. Harassment in this case would include repeated, inconvenient, and frequent calls through which the debt collector aims to annoy, bully, or threaten an individual into making a payment. The FDCPA has laws to limit the frequency of phone calls a debt collector can make to ensure that no individual falls prey to unfair debt collection practices.

The FDCPA is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ensure that collectors are not using abusive debt collection practices. A debt collector is an individual who is affiliated with a collection agency, a law group, or a company that buys debt off of debt collection agencies. The FDCPA does not protect against original creditors in each state, although there are some states, like California, that try to protect their citizens from the original creditors. The FDCPA aims to lay out explicit guidelines for fair debt collections practices, and avenues for those in debt to protect themselves against harassment, or false debt accusations. There is a system in place which allows those in debt to validate information given to them by the debt collectors to ensure the information is accurate and not fraudulent. There are also instances where individuals have a right to dispute the debt that they owe, which we will discuss later in this post. The FDCPA’s overall purpose is to protect all parties involved in a fair, and equal way.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

While the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act intends to protect all involved parties, it is still important to know the full scope of your rights in case of an error on their part. Additionally, there is a whole industry of lawyers popping up to defend debt collectors, who spend their days trying to find loopholes to make you (the consumer) pay, regardless of any wrongdoing on the part of the debt collector. Having your own back in this situation, and doing the appropriate research will allow you to avoid falling into any traps.

It is sometimes advantageous to talk to them at least once to better understand the situation and know the exact debt(s) that they are calling to collect. Sometimes, it may even be a mistake that you are on their list, and one phone call would suffice to eliminate the problem. If however, you do actually owe the debt, but still think it is a mistake or you cannot pay it back, you do not have to endure endless phone calls and debt collectors parading themselves through your life. You can send them a notice to end all contact. This must be done via mail, and the only contact they are allowed to make is either to tell you that there will be no further contact, or to file a lawsuit. If they file a lawsuit to sue you for the amount owed, you will not want to ignore the lawsuit. You may try to handle it yourself, but you are entitled to an attorney. If you have hired an attorney, the debt collectors can no longer contact you directly, but must only contact your lawyer.

In order for the claim to be valid, the collector must send a written confirmation of the amount owed, and who the creditor is within the first five days of contacting you. They must also explain the process for you to follow if you believe it was sent in error. If you send the letter explaining why it is an error, the collector must not contact you again until they send proof of the amount owed.

Additionally, if you make a payment toward your debt, if you owe more than one creditor, you can tell the collector where to apply the money, and they must comply with your request. They especially cannot apply any amount paid to a debt that you have explicitly claimed that you do not owe.

If at this point they sue you for a debt that you are not paying, and refuse to accept responsibility for, the court can garnish your funds. Garnishing means that the court can tell the bank to withdraw funds from your account, or they can apply any income straight to the debt. This is legal, if the debt collectors win in court, however they can never garnish money from federal benefits such as social security, or veterans benefits.

Any time a debt collector calls, make sure they identify themselves with their name and their role as a debt collector, they announce who the original creditor is, they notify the consumer of the right to dispute this debt, and that they offer validation of the debt upon request. If they eventually file for a lawsuit, they must do it in accordance with FDCPA laws.

When is debt Collection Illegal?

Here we will examine a list of unfair and abusive debt collection practices that may be used in court as evidence of harassment.

  1. Hours of contact: Debt collectors may only contact you between 8am and 9pm unless you state otherwise. If you tell them that they are not allowed to call during work hours, or if you have a night shift, they may only call during the allotted times.
  2. Continued Communication: After the consumer sends written notice to cease all communication, debt collectors may not contact the consumer again other than to notify them of the cessation of contact, or that they will proceed with a lawsuit.
  3. Frequent calls with intent to annoy: calling over and over again which harasses the consumer.
  4. Contacting place of employment: Debt collectors may not call a consumer’s place of work if they have been directed not to.
  5. Contacting consumer, and not their attorney (if they have one)
  6. Misrepresentation or deceit: Regarding the debt, or the identity of the debt collector (posing as a law enforcement officer).
  7. Publicly publishing consumer’s name or address without their consent.
  8. Threatening legal action
  9. Aggressive or threatening language/ cursing
  10. Sharing information about your debt with third parties
  11. They cannot contact you by shaming you: For example, they cannot post anywhere, especially through mail that you are being pursued by debt collectors.

A consumer can provide each of the elements from the list above as evidence in court against a debt collector if they feel the standards set forth by the FDCPA were not met. Consumers should not dispose of any voicemail, email, mail correspondence in case the situation ever escalates to court.

The FDCPA will defend consumers who have the right to dispute any debt that you think is not legitimate. You do not have to suffer through repeated, and annoying phone calls and debt collectors, and you do not have to fall victim to abusive debt collection practices. You can also hire an attorney to handle your case who is an expert in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act such as GM Law Firm.  GM Law Firm has detailed some information about what your rights are, and what to look out for on their website.

Know the signs, now your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and know that you do not have to subject yourself to this kind of treatment.

Where Can I Buy A Universal Toll Free Number?

23rd October 2017 Learn, Tips

Toll Free Number

A toll free number, also known as a “free phone,” is a phone number in which all charges are incurred by the subscriber for receiving incoming calls. All calls placed to a toll free number are completely free for the caller. Toll free numbers can be used by both landline and mobile phone subscribers. Rates may vary depending on the device.

Toll free numbers are often used by businesses to allow their customers to make inquiries or transactions without incurring any costs. Toll free numbers usually have a 3-digit prefix such as 800, 0800, and 1-800. The 800 prefix is common with most toll free numbers, however, the service access numbers may be country specific.

The modern toll-free services that we have today were upgraded from the traditional electromechanical switching systems when computerized systems were developed. However, toll free services like Global Call Forwarding largely make use of both traditional phone systems and computerized cloud systems.

Toll-free numbers are readily available to anyone who need them for business or for personal uses. There are well over a dozen known toll-free numbers provided by call forwarding providers who offer different packages depending on the volume of calls that you are expecting. Being in business for over 20 years, Global Call Forwarding is one of such companies with flexible offers, and excellent prices for subscribers.

What Are Universal Toll Free Numbers?

Universal toll free numbers are similar to regular toll free numbers in the sense that the calling party bears no cost for making a call. Unlike regular toll free numbers, universal toll free numbers can be dialed from anywhere in the world at no cost. Universal toll free numbers also feature a 3-digit 800 prefix followed by an 8 digit dialing code. This code allows customers from anywhere in the world to contact businesses via phone at no cost. Global Call Forwarding currently offers toll free services in more than 150 countries across the world and this has become a very useful tool for businesses and individuals alike.

Universal toll free numbers are essential for all types of businesses. Businesses that are looking for an opportunity to establish a presence in different countries without setting up a physical office can benefit from universal toll free numbers. For businesses with international clients, a universal toll free number is a unique way of establishing global connections between them and their customers.

To get a universal toll free phone number for your business, you must choose a service provider, after which you will be required to select a plan. Choice of plans include minute-to-minute formats or an inclusive payment plan. Global Call Forwarding offers flexible universal toll free number service plans for all users.

Are Universal Toll Free Numbers Real?

Universal toll free numbers are definitely real! This is indicated by the number of multinational corporations that make use of this service to make their businesses more accessible to their clients and prospective customers abroad. However, a number of people are quite skeptical about these numbers; it just seems too good to be true!

If your business has a specific requirement to have a universal toll free number set up in one or more countries, Global Call Forwarding is a call forwarding provider that services clients across more countries as compared to other service providers. Once you are signed up on their website, you will be provided a free trial that offers you first-hand experience in operating your universal toll free number.

The idea of a universal toll free number is a very practical one. Imagine if every business were required to have a contact number for every country where they operate, or where their goods and services are being offered. It would be quite difficult to centralize customer service activities in this manner. Today, a business in the UK can receive calls from their customers in New York through a universal toll free number. This is where Global Call Forwarding comes in by providing this service to businesses quite conveniently.

On the part of the customer or person initiating the call, it does make a lot of sense to be able to call a company in another country for free. Customers feel more comfortable and reassured about a business that has a toll free number through which they can give feedback about products and services or to make inquiries.

How Do Universal Numbers Work?

The process is very simple from when the call is initiated to the receiver. When a customer initiates a call to a universal toll free number, the call is at no cost to the customer. For the receiving party, all calls will be charged based on the selected plan. Customers are aware that 0800, 800, and 1-800 numbers are toll free, unlike local numbers that do not have these prefixes and are often charged at regular local and international rates when called from within a country or from abroad. With Global Call Forwarding, exceptional call services are guaranteed with a subscription.

Universal toll-free numbers make use of both cloud and traditional telephone systems even though most services provided are cloud based or virtual. Global Call Forwarding offer their subscribers full control of their account management with a very easy-to-use platform that gets you connected.

Where Can I Buy Universal Toll Free Numbers?

For businesses looking to get a universal toll-free number, Global Call Forwarding is a leading company that provides access to flexible package plans that are tailored to serve your business and personal uses.

Subscribers are provided the opportunity to buy universal numbers at very affordable rates. When it comes to additional features, Global Call Forwarding offer a suite of features to accommodate your phone number needs. More importantly, their services are seamless as subscribers are provided with very reliable and efficient support.

Buying a toll free number from Global Call Forwarding is very easy as they have put in a lot of effort to ensure that you will have your toll free number ready to use in a matter of minutes. Their website has been optimized for mobile use so that you can have easy access to your account at any time, wherever you may be.

When you choose a Global Call Forwarding plan, you get more than just a telephone number for your business. You will get additional features like a virtual assistant, sms forwarding, rollover minutes, voicemail, advanced call forwarding, and much more!