FAQ
How does TeleSign help reduce fraud?
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TeleSign uses the phone as a verification and authentication tool. By sending a phone call to a user with a one-time pin code, it forces the user to give a traceable piece of information and creates an audit trail. TeleSign's technology helps prevent spam, fraud, and bulk registrations.
How much fraud reduction will I see after implementing TeleSign’s services?
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Many clients report fraud reduction rates in excess of 90 percent. However, results depend on various factors, including use case and user demographics.
Who uses TeleSign?
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TeleSign specializes in large volume rollouts with prominent global web properties. TeleSign clients include social networks, cloud services, payment processors, online gaming, domain registrants, lead generation brokers, eCommerce sites, fraud prevention providers, and advertisers and directories.
How long has TeleSign been in business?
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TeleSign sent its very first verification call in 2004 and has been kicking fraudster butt and taking names (and phone numbers) ever since.
How long does it take to integrate TeleSign’s phone verification service into my website?
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TeleSign's platform-neutral, REST API is quick and easy to integrate into your existing website. We offer extensive documentation to help guide you through the integration process. If you'd prefer to work with a developer who is highly familiar with the technical aspects of integration, please contact us at contact@telesign.com or call +1 310-740-9700.
Will my users need to leave my website during the phone verification process?
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No. TeleSign's services integrate into your website seamlessly, so your users will not need to leave your website during the phone verification process.
What type of API’s does TeleSign offer?
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TeleSign offers a REST API. REST can be transported over an HTTP (or HTTPS) connection and is compatible with all major web programming languages and technologies.
How do I access TeleSign’s documentation?
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The most recent version of TeleSign's integration documentation (API Documentation) can be found by logging into your TeleSign account and clicking on the "Integration" tab.
How can I get help with TeleSign integration?
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Most technical questions related to Telephone Verification are answered in TeleSign's Telephone Verification API Documentation. You can access the documentation by logging into your TeleSign account and clicking on the "Integration" tab. If you'd prefer to work with a developer who is highly familiar with the technical aspects of integration, please contact us at contact@telesign.com or call +1 310 740 9700.
Can I send verification calls to phone numbers located outside the US?
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Yes, TeleSign's phone verification service can call phone numbers located anywhere in the world. We have delivered verification calls to users in more than 200 countries.
Can I customize the message played to my users during the voice call?
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Yes, you can customize this message. TeleSign provides professional voice recording, engineering, setup, and testing for a fee.
Can I send voice calls in languages other than English?
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Yes, TeleSign can play the default verification message in over 40 languages and dialects. The languages/dialects currently available are:
Arabic
Bulgarian
Cantonese
Catalan
Chinese
Croatian
Czech
Danish
Dutch
Egyptian
English (American)
English (Australian)
English (UK)
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
French (Canadian)
French (EU)
German
Greek
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lingala
Lithuanian
Norwegian
Polish
Portuguese (Brazilian)
Portuguese (EU)
Romanian
Russian
Slovak
Spanish (EU)
Spanish (Latin American)
Swedish
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
VietnameseIf you need a language not listed above, please contact your TeleSign representative.
Can’t a fraudster just use a VOIP service (like Skype) or a prepaid mobile phone to verify an untraceable, temporary phone number?
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TeleSign delivers patented PhoneID, which prevents abuse by people using anonymous VOIP and prepaid mobile phones. PhoneID identifies the type of phone number provided by a user (landline, mobile, VOIP, etc.). Using PhoneID, you can restrict the types of phone numbers users are allowed to verify and eliminate usage of risky, temporary phones.
How are phone verification voice calls and a phone verification SMS (text messages) handled differently?
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Verification voice calls and SMS work in essentially the same way - you want to verify a user, so we send a temporary PIN code to the user's phone to authenticate them. The main difference between the technologies are:
SMS messages can only be delivered to mobile phones; voice calls can be delivered to all phone types.
Both voice and SMS messages can be sent to any country in any language. Historically, when given the option, about 40 percent of users choose to receive their PIN code via SMS (with the other 60 percent electing to receive a voice call.
Can I send SMS messages to phone numbers located outside the US?
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Yes, TeleSign can deliver text messages to any country in the world.
Can I send text messages in languages other than English?
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Yes, you can send text messages in any language. Messages containing non-Latin characters (Greek, Japanese, Russian, etc.) will be converted to Unicode before being sent.
How much does it cost to send a verification SMS?
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Pricing varies by country and is based on monthly volume. Please contact a TeleSign representative for a customized quote.
What is TeleSign’s PhoneID?
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TeleSign's patented PhoneID product analyzes phone numbers and returns information about the phone, including the phone type and geographic phone information. PhoneID was originally developed to be used in conjunction with TeleSign's Telephone Verification service but is also widely used as a standalone product.
What types of phone numbers can PhoneID identify?
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PhoneID can identify the following types of phone numbers domestically and internationally:
Landline
Mobile
VOIP
Toll-Free
Restricted (911, 411, etc.).For a complete list of phone types that can be identified by PhoneID, please refer to the most recent version of TeleSign’s PhoneID API documentation.
Does the PhoneID service work internationally?
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Yes, PhoneID can determine phone type and other related characteristics about any phone number in the world. The depth of information returned varies by country. For more information, please refer to the most recent version of TeleSign's PhoneID API documentation.
How does TeleSign charge for its services?
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All of TeleSign's services are charged on a per-transaction basis. Pricing for all services is dependent on volume and varies by country. For a customized quote, please contact a TeleSign representative at +1 310-740-9700.
Is there a setup fee?
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No, TeleSign does not charge a setup fee for any of its services. However, we do require customers who use under $500 per month to provide a valid credit card when activating their account. In addition, if you'd like to have a custom message recorded for your voice calls, TeleSign can provide this service for a fee.
Is there a monthly minimum?
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Yes, TeleSign charges a monthly minimum of $100.
What forms of payment are accepted?
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All clients using under $500 per month will be required to put a credit card on file when the account is activated. TeleSign accepts payment via all major credit cards (Visa, American Express, Discover, and MasterCard), check, and PayPal.
How can I pay my TeleSign bill?
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You can pay your TeleSign invoice by logging into your TeleSign account and clicking on the "Billing" tab. You can also mail a check (made payable to TeleSign Corporation) to 4136 Del Rey Ave, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. Be sure to include your username on your check. If you wish to wire transfer funds, please contact TeleSign for details.
Do I have to prepay to use the service?
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No. TeleSign's services are postpaid. You will be billed for your previous month's usage on the first business day of the following month.
When is my TeleSign bill due?
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Your invoice will be sent out on the first business day of each month. Payment is due within 30 days of the billing date.
