How We Verify Phone Numbers at BetterContact
Quick Peek
Every phone number goes through a multi-step verification process
No credits are used when our validation layers identify a numbers as landline or inactive
Mobile numbers are validated using country-specific logic
For most regions, our validation layers can run an ownership check
On average, 30% of the numbers we receive from the providers are invalid. We bear the costs.
Invalid numbers are filtered out before you’re charged
Why Phone Number Verification Matters
Finding a phone number is one thing - making sure it’s callable and relevant is another.
Our phone number verification process focuses on accuracy, and not just volume.
Before a number is returned or billed, we run several checks to reduce invalid, inactive, or irrelevant phone numbers.
We use multiple phone verification providers, but our primary one is Trestle.
How Phone Number Verification Works
Every phone number follows a step-by-step validation flow.
1. Country Detection
We first identify the country of the phone number.
This step is important because phone number formats and mobile ranges differ by country.
2. Mobile vs. Landline Detection
Using country-specific rules and number patterns, we determine whether the number is:
A mobile phone number
Or a landline / VoIP number
Landline Numbers
Landlines/VoIP are flagged
No credits are used
Enrichment continues until a mobile number is found (if available)
3. Service Status Check (Mobile Numbers)
For mobile numbers, we check whether the line is:
Still in service
Or inactive / disconnected
If the number is not in service:
It is excluded
No credits are used
Enrichment continues where possible
4. Advanced Verification
For mobile numbers in most regions, we apply an additional verification layer which performs a geolocation and ownership match.
This process includes:
Telecom partners identifying the phone line owner
Our system comparing the owner’s name with the lead’s name
Numbers that match are flagged as verified mobile numbers
Numbers that don’t match are excluded, and enrichment continues
Verified mobile numbers are the most reliable and are recommended for cold calling.
Credit Usage Explained
Credits are only used when a valid mobile phone number is returned.
❌ Landline detected → No credits used
❌ Number not in service → No credits used
❌ Invalid number → No credits used
✅ Valid mobile number → Credits applied as per pricing (10 credits)
If a number fails verification, we continue enrichment attempts by requesting the next data provider.
A Note on Verification Coverage
Not all countries allow the same level of phone number validation.
In some regions, it’s not technically possible to fully possible to do a phone number activity scoring, or to verify ownership.
In those cases, numbers that pass our initial checks, but we are not fully confident about, will not be returned, and you won't be charged any credits.
Summary
BetterContact’s phone number verification is designed to prioritize quality, accuracy, and fair credit usage.
By combining country detection, mobile validation, service checks, and advanced verification in regards to owner matching by name, we aim to return phone numbers you can actually use - without charging for unusable data.