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| Employee Handbook |
| Telephone Fraud |
“Good morning! Extension 9170 please.” Your receptionist dials the requested number and hangs up. The caller now has an outside line through your telephone system (9), a long distance line (1), and the first two digits of an area code or country code (70). Completing the number, he talks leisurely to a friend overseas. None of your employees remembers making that expensive call on your phone bill.
A voice-mail or pager message indicates an emergency, and tells you to dial a 1-809 number. When you dial, a recorded message keeps you on the phone for over 15 minutes. You just dialed an international call to the Caribbean on a pay-per-call provider, unregulated by the U.S. government.
In this technological age, it’s easy to forget how much businesses still rely on their telephone systems. Training is everything when it comes to avoiding telephone fraud. Employees should be reminded at least quarterly about company telephone policies and fraud risks. Here are some tips to teach your employees.
- When asked to connect an outside caller to someone else, always ask for the name of the person requested. Verify the number before dialing.
- After-hours cleaning and security personnel should avoid answering the phone and/or be trained.
- Never answer telephone queries concerning PIN numbers for cards, phone services, or features you have on your phone system. Keep calling card numbers, access codes, and passwords confidential.
- Do not return pager or Caller ID calls that are not familiar to you, even if an emergency is implied.
- Employees who may have been victims of telephone fraud should contact their supervisor immediately.
Contact us for more information about writing telephone policy and improving employee training.
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