In a move that could assist collectors who leverage this technology, Equifax this week rolled out what it has dubbed PhoneReveal, a new tool that can help organizations that use auto-dialer systems preserve time, money and resources, while helping to gain better insight into contact records.

Recognized by customers as one of the industry’s most comprehensive resources for cell phone, landline and Voice over IP (VoIP) contact information, Equifax highlighted PhoneReveal can provide coverage on more than 95 percent of all wireless numbers in the United States with many customer tests achieving a 99 percent or higher match rate on all valid U.S. numbers.

Unlike other tools that obtain phone information from various sources and deliver probable information or scores, Equifax explained PhoneReveal can provide information collected directly from carriers, helping to avoid ambiguity or unnecessary data aggregation. PhoneReveal can help minimize wrong-party contacts by providing users greater lead time on recycled phone numbers as compared to other industry tools.

Equifax senior vice president of product management John Cullerton pointed out that other market products many not identify changes in number ownership until that number has already been associated with another party. Cullerton insisted greater lead time can equal better overall dialer program management and more current information.

“Recent regulatory fines and penalties have soared as high as $75 million for non-compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA),” Cullerton said.

“With such high penalties, PhoneReveal is an ideal solution because it delivers timely alerts about phone number types to help businesses distinguish mobile, landline or VoIP numbers when contacting individuals, while allowing for faster streamlining of operational efficiencies,” he continued.

Equifax indicated PhoneReveal can be an integral tool in a company’s TCPA strategy as it can work across multiple business functions that use auto-dialers including marketing, account management, debt recovery and more. This potential can give businesses direct, anytime access to updated phone contact information, including details such as number type, such as mobile, landline or VoIP; deactivation dates; porting status; validity of number; and country code.

Upon request, PhoneReveal also can include complementary lean Six Sigma-based program support to help customers further strengthen programs such as portfolio management, systems of record, customer contact practices and more.