Is anyone else struggling with "privacy manager" ? Privacy Manager (Message Manger, Zapper, etc) allows an account holder to electronically screen-out both specific inbound numbers and numbers that are unidentified. If you've had some experience with customers avoiding your collectors with this new tool.. I'd like to hear how you've addressed it. CA-1 ========= One good trick is to just have your reps clear their throat when the system allows the name to record. Most debtors who employ these types of services are pathetically stupid and will accept the call, or the call will defer to an answering machine where the collector can leave a message. CA-2
I work for BellSouth and it's called "Privacy Director" here. It is a residental product that screens calls with non-displayed numbers on caller id. If a person calls with a "private" number; which means BellSouth has their info, but we have been told not to release it, Privacy Director will play a message. "The person you are calling does not accept calls from private numbers, please press 1 on your keypad to release your information." If the caller presses 1, their info shows on caller id and your phone will ring. If they don't press 1, Privacy Director hangs up on them. Now, if you are calling from a unknown, out of area, or unavailable number; BellSouth does not have your information and the caller will hear; "The person you are calling does not accept calls from hidden numbers, please record your name or the company you work for" Now the caller has to record their name. If they do not record their name, they are hung up on. If they do record their name, the phone will ring and when you pick it up you will hear the recorded name. Then the system prompts you with three options, Press 1 to accept - you are connected with the caller. Press 2 to send a sales reject - great for telemarketers, most won't even bother to record their name because they know you won't answer, but if they do a message is played to them, "the person you are calling does not accept sales or soliciation calls, please remove me from your call lists. Goodbye" Press 3 to ignore - if you have voicemail they go to it, if not they will think you're not at home. It's a pretty cool service to have.
