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What does "intercept" mean?

I received a status of "intercept" on a member's phone number, what does that mean

Written by Support Team
Updated yesterday

An "Intercept" status indicates that your message could not be delivered to that specific phone number.


Common Reasons for an Intercept

There are several reasons why a carrier might return an "Intercept" status:

  • Technical Disruptions: The recipient had a poor signal, a temporary service outage, or their phone was turned off at the time of delivery.

  • Voicemail Issues: The recipient’s voicemail box is full, or they use a "Smart Voicemail" system that requires a specific prompt (like "Press 2 to leave a message") which automated systems cannot bypass.

  • Active Interference: The recipient was pressing buttons on their phone during the call delivery, which can confuse the automated system.

  • Account Status: The member's phone service may be suspended (e.g., an unpaid bill) or the number is no longer in service.

  • Incorrect Number: The phone number may be invalid or was entered incorrectly in your contact list.


How CallingPost Handles Intercepts

  • Automatic Retries: Our system doesn't give up immediately! We will typically attempt to call the number 3 times before officially marking it as "Intercepted" in your final report.

  • Reviewing Your List: If you consistently see an "Intercept" status for the same contact, we recommend reaching out to them through another channel to verify their phone number is still correct and active.


Tip: If a large portion of your group is showing "Intercept," double-check that you are using a [Verified Custom Caller ID], as this can help prevent carrier filters from blocking your calls.

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