FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need a large Fraud Staff to implement, maintain and run the Fraud Department?
No. The system is extremely fast and easy to use, and all maintenance and implementation is handled by Beck. Typically a requirement for 24 hours staffed coverage is the over-ridding reason to have larger staffs.

Is there a long learning curve to use the system?
No. The system is very intuitive to use, and learns your traffic and customer usage as CDR's are processed and you work cases. The interface is designed to be used by anyone familiar with Windows.

Do we need sophisticated interfaces with the IT department?
No. The files we require can usually be sent automatically via FTP. You need to send the CDRs in any format (binary or ASCII) as often as possible via FTP. Your subscribers (customer list) can be sent in an ASCII format periodically (daily or weekly) via FTP.

Can we get custom features without getting the entire user community to agree to a feature?
Yes. The very nature of our design is that we can implement new functionality and make it available on a customer by customer basis. Most user requests are implemented without additional costs.

Do we need special systems to run the software?
No. The Fraud Client software runs on any Windows system and everything else is processed on our fully redundant and clustered systems.

What else do we have to buy for the Phone Fraud Service Bureau?
Nothing. Even the Virtual Private Network Firewall Appliance is provided for by Beck so access can be secure over the internet. If higher speed bandwidth or additional security requires T1 or higher access, then only the actual costs will be incurred, or you can provide the connection.

Are there limits to the amount of alarms or Cases the FMS can handle on a daily basis?
No. There are no limits to what the system can handle, but what is more important is that the Case Manager - Automatic Intelligent Feedback System reduces the case handling to an absolute minimum for any volume of CDR traffic and alarming.

Since the system automatically profiles each Line of Service, can I still set Rules and Hot Numbers to watch for?
Yes. You can always setup complex rules and monitor Hot Watch numbers to augment the automatic Alarms.

How long is information readily available on-line?
Almost Unlimited. We can keep cases flagged as fraud and blocked forever, and other cases for 6 months, and 1 to 2 years, whatever is required. Call Detail historical lookup is also based on the customer requirements, typically 90 to 180 days, and even longer is available. All of these limits are adjustable by your requirements.

Can we get 24x7 support from Beck?
Yes. We have support staff available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Can we bring everything in-house, we may want internal and complete security?
Yes. We also sell the system as a complete in-house "turn-key" solution with the same great service and functionality.

Is the connection to the Fraud Service Bureau secure?
Yes. The two ways to connect to our service bureau are using a VPN, that uses industry strength IPSec, 3DES encrypted and extremely secure., or you can use a point-to-point T1 line, though this is could be substantially more expensive.

What is the typical uptime and availability for the Beck FMS?
99.5% or better. Our clustered systems typically run continuously for years without stopping.