How to Reduce Scam and Advert Calls Using Your 'Contact Us' Form

How to Reduce Scam and Advert Calls Using Your ‘Contact Us’ Form

In today’s digital age, having a ‘Contact Us’ form on your website is essential for customer engagement. However, it can also be a gateway for unwanted scam and advert calls. Here are some effective strategies to minimize these nuisances and ensure your form serves its intended purpose.

1. Implement CAPTCHA

Adding a CAPTCHA to your contact form is one of the most effective ways to prevent spam. CAPTCHA requires users to complete a simple task that bots cannot easily perform, such as identifying objects in images or solving a puzzle¹.

2. Use a Honeypot Field

A honeypot field is an invisible field added to your form that only bots can see and fill out. If this field is filled, the form submission is automatically flagged as spam and discarded¹.

3. Filter Keywords and Email Addresses

Set up filters to block submissions containing common spam keywords or from known spam email addresses. This can significantly reduce the number of unwanted messages you receive¹.

4. Enable Email Verification

Require users to verify their email addresses before their submission is accepted. This step ensures that the contact information provided is valid and reduces the likelihood of receiving spam².

5. Use a Form Plugin with Built-in Spam Protection

Many form plugins come with built-in spam protection features. For example, WPForms and similar plugins offer options like reCAPTCHA, honeypot fields, and spam keyword filters³.

6. Regularly Update Your Form Security

Keep your form and any associated plugins up to date. Regular updates often include security patches that protect against new spam techniques⁴.

7. Monitor and Adjust

Regularly monitor the submissions you receive and adjust your spam filters as needed. This proactive approach helps you stay ahead of spammers and ensures your form remains effective².

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the number of scam and advert calls you receive through your ‘Contact Us’ form, allowing you to focus on genuine customer inquiries.

¹: SendLayer ²: HeartComms ³: WPBeginner ⁴: Get Safe Online

                           

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