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6 Ways Contractors Can Deal with Robocalls

5 ways contractors can deal with robocalls Robocalls, or automated spam calls, bother everyone. However, the problem may be more frustrating for contractors who need to answer unknown numbers in case it’s a customer calling. You may waste a lot of precious time on spam callers, even cutting of discussions with customers early to try to take the call. Plus, you can’t change your number, or you may miss repeat business. While robocalls are frustrating, there are several ways you can fight them and save yourself some time.

1. Install Spam Call Blockers

Entrepreneurial app developers have tried to solve the problem of spam calling for everyone, with a handful of apps that try to block spam callers automatically. The best for contractors is probably Nomorobo. It’s a paid app, but it works automatically instead of relying on you to search a database to decide if the call is spam.

Although, if you’re worried about an app accidentally deciding one of your customers is a spam caller, you may prefer Truecaller. This app warns you about suspected spam calls but lets you decide as to whether to take the call.

Some phone companies are also trying to stop the deluge of spam calls. If your business phone is with AT&T, you can use their free app to stop spam calls: Call Protect. T-Mobile has two: Scam ID and Scam Block.

2. Block Specific Area Codes

While you will have to keep taking unknown callers from your local area, there’s no reason you need to take calls from outside of your service area. You can block any area codes you like on your phone. Use a list of US area codes to start, and add the area codes of any spam calls you receive.

Be warned that this isn’t a fool-proof solution. Some robocallers are getting sophisticated enough to spoof certain area codes. While they aren’t from your area, they can appear to be.

3. Hire a Virtual Receptionist

It might be a bit much to bring on an employee just to screen your calls. Thankfully, you don’t have to bring on an employee. Try a virtual receptionist, a real person who can screen your calls and perform several other receptionist duties without being your direct employee. You will end up saving a lot of time, and not just on phone calls.

(shameless plug time: learn more about our virtual receptionist services or get started now with a 7 day free trial.)

Never answer another spam call again

4. Choose Android

Those who are currently using Apple phones may be surprised to hear that the latest Android phones have built-in spam identifying software. Many will warn you that an incoming call is likely to be spam, and so far, the predictions are quite accurate. When it’s time to get a new business phone, it might be wise to consider Android.

5. Set up an Automated Attendant

According to Doug Fernandez, owner of Fernandez Designs and Builders, one of the most effective strategies is to set up an automated attendant:

“Since we added a phone tree to our main line, our spam calls have really fallen off. Bots don’t know how to ‘press 1 for sales,’ so they get stuck, which is awesome. Just make sure that callers need to push a button to proceed. If they can stay on the line to reach someone, so can bots.”

6. Manually Block Calls

If any robocalls get through your lines of defense, be sure to block the number right away manually. If you’re on an iPhone, you can block numbers directly from your “Recents” tab. On Android, you can block the number from your call history by long pressing on it. From this screen, you can even report the number as spam, which helps out other Android users. If you want to go above and beyond, you can even add the spammer’s number to your spam call blocker app’s list of robocallers, helping other people avoid them too.

You might also be interested in What to Do if Your HVAC Business Gets Too Many Spam Calls.

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