When you run a business, you need to be able to warn your customer base when fraud occurs. Fraud happens in real time, and sending out an email message to your customer base simply isn't fast enough. With 98% of text messages being opened, and 88% of emails going unopened, it is clear that it is essential to set up a texting platform for your business when you need to reach your customers fast.
[Tweet "98% of text messages being opened, and 88% of emails going unopened"]
How Quickly Customers Will Read Text Messages
If you aren't convinced that you can reach your customers easily through text messaging, think again. 90% of people open up and read a new text message within 3 minutes. When you become aware of fraud within your system, you can reach the majority of your customer base within a very short time. Consider that out of the 98% who will open the message, 90% of that number will read it within 3 minutes. This is the best way to let your customers know when a fraud has occurred. Customers don't read email, so you won't be able to alert them of fraud effectively using an email system.
[Tweet "90% of people open up and read a new text message within 3 minutes."]
Setting Up Your Opt-In Texting Service
To create a fraud alert system using SMS via computer to mobile, or to send text from PC, you have to set up a keyword for customers to send a text to. For example, you can create the keyword "FRAUD" and then set up a number for your customers to send the keyword to. Customers who respond to, "For updates and fraud alerts, text the word FRAUD to 22222" will be opting in to your service, giving you permission to alert them through text messaging if you have any fraud news or updates to share. You will build up your customer base this way, giving you a way to reach anyone that signs up in a moment's notice.
Instant Results When Fraud is Suspected
When a transaction appears fraudulent, customers can be contacted immediately to determine if the transaction should be approved or not. With real time SMS from PC to phone, you can send text message from PC and reach your customers in an instant. When a customer replies with a Y answer, the transaction will go through. If the customer replies with a N, the transaction will be stopped and the process for getting a new card will begin. Most of these activities can be set up to occur automatically, when you are using the right texting software platform to service your customers.
Many Big Banks Offer this Fraud Alert System
The use of SMS texting to alert customers of a potential fraudulent purchase is now being used on a more frequent basis. Some companies, such as Wells Fargo and Amazon, even offer customers texts every time a purchase is made using their card whether it appears fraudulent or not. Banks that currently off fraud alerts to customers include Bank of America, Citibank, Chase and Wells Fargo. It is becoming a service that is essential for banks so that they can stay competitive in a market that is full of fraudulent activities.
Texting Online with Number Saves You Time
Whether you want to reach one customer, or you want to reach your entire database, the messaging is done from your computer. You don't have to set up a texting device to send out messages, all you need is a computer and an internet connection to send out messages to your customers. You can create messages much faster using a computer than using a mobile device, and this type of software program saves you time. When you suspect fraudulent activity on a customer's account, you have very little time to react.
A fraud alert system both saves customers from fraud, and it ensures that the purchases they make are legit. For example, when a customer is on vacation, the purchases they make using a credit card may appear fraudulent. When you are able to reach the customer right away, they can text you back that the charges are real and they are on vacation. Future purchases while they are away won't be disrupted, and your customer will be happy to have their vacation continue without any more denied charges on their credit card.
Use multiple mobile communications channels to reach your customers to alert them of fraud. Download our complimentary Mobile Marketing Success Kit for information on other mobile communication tools you can use to provide your customers with critical account information.
Download the Mobile Marketing Success Kit
Get Your Copy Today
