How to Set Up a 1-800 Number for Church Texting and Call Forwarding | SteepleMate Guide

Setup a 1-800 Number for Mass Texting and Call Forwarding

SteepleMate provides churches with a dedicated 1-800 number to support mass texting and call forwarding services. Below are answers to commonly asked questions to help you understand the setup process and how it works.

Choosing a Number for the Church

  1. From the left navigation, select the Administration Menu, then select Organization Settings. 
  2. Select the section, Phone Numbers, Text Messaging, and Call Forwarding.
  3. Select "Claim My Free Number", and follow the prompts to customize the last four digits of your 1-800 number (if desired). 
  4. Once claimed, your new 1-800 number will appear in the Organization Settings Phone Number section listed as Unverified.

Verification Process

  1. Initially, your 1-800 number will show as Unverified in the table.
  2. Verification by major carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.) is required to ensure:
    1. The number is legitimate.
    2. It complies with carrier-specific rules for mass texting and call forwarding.
  3. The verification process takes 1 to 6 weeks, depending on the carriers’ workload and internal processes.
Note: Major carriers operate independently and are not federally regulated. SteepleMate cannot expedite the verification process or request follow-ups from carriers.

Confirmation of Verification

Once the number is verified:

  1. A task notification will appear in your dashboard, informing you that the number is ready to use.
  2. The verification status in Organization Settings will update to reflect the change.

Warning

Importance of Verification

  1. Carrier verification ensures that your number is safe for use and prevents it from being flagged as spam.
  2. Verified numbers comply with carrier regulations, minimizing risks of:
    1. Blocked text messages.
    2. Unreceived calls or messages.
    3. ❗️U.S. Carrier Penalties for Non-Compliant Messaging❗️




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