Background
US phone carriers have introduced new requirements to reduce spam calls and text messages being sent to consumers. These requirements impact all technology providers, including Real Geeks.
We know how important texting is for lead response and conversion, and we’re committed to keeping our text message services running well for our clients – including SMS auto-responses, GeekAI, SMS workflows and individual text messages. Read below to see what we’re doing to help you, and what you need to do to keep text messages flowing from Real Geeks.
What Do I Need to Do?
Effective Sep 1, 2023: if you own a Real Geeks website/CRM, you need to apply for and receive approval to send texts from a local number in Real Geeks. If you own multiple Real Geeks websites, you need to complete one application for each site.
Simply fill out this brief form with your legal business information; it only takes a few minutes. Real Geeks will pay the application cost on your behalf.
Registration approval can take approximately 3 weeks
Please confirm your business information is correct before submitting your information to us. Applications with incorrect information must be resubmitted, which may cause further delay in your registration.
While waiting for approval, Real Geeks will assign you a Toll-Free phone number that can be used to text your leads. If you used a texting number before the September 1st deadline, your number has been temporarily disabled in the CRM. Complete the registration process to re-enable this number again.
What Information Do I Need to Provide?
There are few specific details that you will need to include, such as:
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Business Name
- Business Address
- Business Type
Contact the IRS IRS Business & Specialty Tax Office (800-829-4933) for assistance identifying this information.
Need help locating your EIN Number ? They can typically be found on old tax returns, business bank statements, or business loan applications.
Other Changes
Like other tech companies, we may need to make future changes to our processes or products to comply with laws and phone carrier requirements. We’ll keep you updated as circumstances change.
Learn More
For additional assistance, contact Real Geeks support. 844-311-4969 (extension 2) or support@realgeeks.com.
And if you're interested in learning more about this topic, read these articles on our blog:
- Why “STOP”? The New Normal of Text Messaging Deliverability
- What is A2P 10DLC and How Does it Impact My Business?
FAQ
What information is need for the application? This registration process requires the client provide us their legal business information listed below:- Employee Identification Number (EIN)
- Business Name
- Business Address
- Business Type
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used by the IRS to identify your business. It’s the official identifier for your business. Need help locating your EIN Number? They can typically be found on old tax returns, business bank statements, or business loan applications.
You can also call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line (800-829-4933) for assistance with locating your EIN If you don’t have one, you can apply for a Business EIN with the IRS.
Do all of my agents need to register too?This step is only required if you own the account. Team members will not need to individually register.
How does the number change affect my conversations with leads? All messages delivered from different phone numbers will appear under your lead’s activity history feed. Leads will beI do not have a registered business. I am a sole proprietor. You can still register to send text messages from a local number. You will simply identify yourself as "Sole Proprietor." Registered businesses can send more text messages than sole proprietors, but most people don't reach the limits.What Happens when a lead texts our local phone number after I am assigned a toll-free number? If you used the Real Geeks texting tool before September 1st, your local texting number was temporarily disabled until you register. When a lead texts this disabled number, you will still receive the message. However, your response will open a new conversation on your lead’s phone, using your assigned toll-free CRM number.Will the new 800 numbers only be used on NEW or ALL leads?The toll-free phone numbers can be used to text new leads, as well as any existing leads. Note: This only affects clients who texted leads through Real Geeks before the September 1st deadline.