5 Ways to Prevent SIP Trunk Fraud
We’re all told to prevent fraud. Being a target of any kind of fraud will impact anyone. But there’s always a way you can protect yourself.
SIP trunk fraud is common. This is when a hacker attacks your telephone. They do this through your line’s SIP trunk.
When you’re a victim, your hacker can make calls to multiple people without your consent.
Many myths and flaws exist when protecting your phone line. However, there are a few simple ways your business can prevent this type of fraud.
Read on for 5 easy measures you can take to conduct business safely!
1. Set Up a Maximum Default Rate for Calls
Setting up a maximum default rate controls the number of outbound calls made.
When you and your sales team make outbound calls, you only make calls necessary to conduct business. You’ll be able to spot any additional calls that are made.
The amount of your outgoing call cap will vary depending on the number of calls your business requires. When you set up a default rate for outgoing calls, make sure you and your team know this number.
When the number of calls exceeds your cap, that becomes a red flag for fraud. Catching fraud early will help protect your account and your business, and setting up a maximum call rate is an easy measure you can take.
If your account gets hacked after your cap, it’ll be easier to monitor the calls your hacker makes. But if your account gets hacked before your cap, it will be difficult to track their calls.
In this case, track calls made after the hacking. Find the numbers called and find out who the hackers are calling. Contact your phone provider to refrain from any additional activity.
2. Identify the Calls You’re Making
Set up procedures to identify your calls to prospects in certain countries, states, and cities.
When a hacker commits SIP trunk fraud, they will make calls from any place around the world.
Always know who you’re calling, their phone number, and their basic information. This applies to your regular client list and anyone you’re cold-calling.
To identify random calls, always try and identify your outbound calls as best as you can. Try and create a schedule when calling these clients.
This organizational tool can easily be used as a source when fraud is triggered.
In addition to knowing who you call, know who calls you. Since your telephone system is connected to your IP, these hackers can use your phone’s IP address to access important accounts such as your bank account.
When you see an unknown or private number calling you, don’t pick up and immediately bar that phone number.
3. Enable IP-Based Authentication
Enabling IP-based authentication could be the key to protecting your phone line from SIP trunk fraud. This measure allows only those within your network to make calls and leave messages.
When a hacker gets into your system, they will only be able to make and receive calls only if they know your IP address.
Unfortunately, your IP address can still be found. But this measure notifies you when an unknown source attempts to enter your IP address.
Does your company phone have a static or dynamic IP address? Are you unsure if your phone is static or dynamic? A static IP address is a permanent IP address, and a dynamic IP address is a temporary IP address.
Setting up an IP-based authentication protocol is easier with a static phone. Identify the IP address, and consider having a static IP address to enable authentication.
Do you use a landline or a mobile phone? Setting IP-based authentication is easier for a landline, but can be done with a mobile phone when utilizing a third-party.
This measure helps block and recognizes an IP address that tries to hack into your account. Contact your phone provider to find out how to authenticate accounts with your IP address.
4. Barring Calls
When you suspect a suspicious phone number, you have the option to bar, or block, that number.
Blocking a suspicious number will help prevent the caller from gaining access to your information. By blocking them, you don’t allow this number to contact you or anyone in your network.
Depending on the phone service you have, there are automatic call barring services you can set up. These services automatically block calls from certain numbers. This includes blocking outgoing and incoming calls to these numbers.
When an unknown number attempts to call you, barring that number will help protect your company’s phone line from SIP trunk fraud.
Each phone has a different approach when barring incoming and outgoing calls. Contact your phone provider and find out the steps to ensure suspicious calls are being barred.
5. Create Unique Passwords on Your Phone’s System
Do not ever use a default, simple, or similar password for your phone line. A common method of SIP trunk fraud is hacking into your account, and this can be done by entering a default or common password.
When you create a new phone account, immediately change the password. Make sure it’s a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols only you would know. Store the password in a safe place so you can have access to it.
If everyone on your team has access to this password, it’s crucial your team keeps this password safe. Educate your team on fraud and why they can’t disclose the password to anyone.
You want your hackers to be stumped when they try and hack into your account. You don’t want them to easily break into your phone line. Changing your password is an easy step in fraud prevention.
Preventing SIP Trunk Fraud: Stay Vigilant and Keep Monitoring
Making calls requires as many security measures as any web-based software. SIP trunking makes it convenient and cheap to make calls, but it also makes it easier for your system to get hacked.
The key to preventing this is to closely monitor your network. The last thing you want is your system to get hacked when your business is making progress.
If you’re unsure about SIP trunk fraud and protecting your phone line, contacting a professional is always the best method when it comes to securing your business. We’d love to help bring you the peace of mind your business needs!