Voice over IP phone services provide reliable and affordable telephone communication networks for businesses of all sizes. Like all phone systems, these IP systems can be vulnerable to toll fraud, which can rack up exorbitant costs and fees rather quickly. You can prevent problems and protect your commercial enterprise, but you must have the right information to do so. Here are a few details to remember about toll fraud. 

How Does Toll Fraud Work and How Can It Affect Your Business?

Toll fraud usually involves the bad actor making calls to premium-rate numbers or placing international calls.  Hackers can illegally breach your business's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system and use it to make calls, and the provider of the premium-rate numbers then shares any proceeds with the hacker. Cybercriminals will scan different voice over IP phone services in search of an open port, which can then be used to gain access. 

The most obvious damage caused by toll fraud is the financial cost. Premium-rate numbers charge very high fees, which must be paid by your business if your phone service is used to make them. Additionally, your business may also be affected by the reputational fallout, as clients and customers will perceive you to be vulnerable when it comes to breaches. 

What Can You Do to Prevent Toll Fraud?

Along with open ports, hackers can breach your telephone system thanks to poor password practices. Be sure to use two-factor authentication whenever possible, and always create strong passwords for devices and programs. The best passwords are nonsensical phrases containing numbers, letters, and special characters, and don't contain any personal information, such as the names of loved ones or pets.  Also, make sure that your provider has restricted international dialing if that is a feature that your business does not need. 

You should also know the signs that your system has already been breached, as this knowledge allows you to get immediate assistance. Look for increased phone traffic during the weekends, frequent busy signals, a greater volume of international calls, and longer than normal hold times. You should also be wary of repeated calls to any 900 numbers or help lines.  

If you want to work with a reliable voice over IP phone service provider to avoid security issues, Intellicom offers a variety of telecommunications services for local businesses, including the implementation of a digital phone system. You can also rely on them for a complete list of managed services, including workstation assistance, server management, and firewall protection. Visit them online to learn more about their VoIP systems, or schedule an initial consultation in the Greater Nebraska area by calling (308) 237-0684 today.