Best practices for managing do not call lists in Myphoner

If you're making outbound calls for sales, fundraising, or support, keeping a clean do not call (DNC) list isn’t just about following the law—it’s about not wasting your team’s time and avoiding angry customers. This guide is for folks who use Myphoner and want a real-world, no-nonsense approach to managing DNC lists.

We’ll cover exactly how to set up, maintain, and actually use DNC lists in Myphoner, what to watch out for, and which features are worth your time. No fluff, just honest steps you can follow.

1. Know Why DNC Lists Matter (Beyond Just “Compliance”)

Before you bother with any workflow, get clear on why DNC lists exist:

  • Legal risk: In many places (including the US, UK, and EU), calling people who have opted out can get you fined.
  • Wasted effort: Even if you don’t care about the law, calling people who don’t want to talk to you is a waste of your team’s time.
  • Brand damage: Annoying people is a great way to get your number blocked or your company trashed online.

Bottom line: Keeping a DNC list up to date is just as important as keeping your leads tidy. It’s not fun, but neither is a lawsuit.

2. Understanding How Myphoner Handles DNC Lists

Myphoner handles DNC lists at two levels:

  • Global DNC list: This is account-wide. Once a number goes on here, nobody in your account can call it again, no matter which campaign or list.
  • List-level DNC: You can mark a lead as “do not call” within a specific campaign or list. This is less ironclad—someone could add that same contact to another campaign and accidentally call them.

Pro tip: Unless you have a very good reason, you should use the global DNC for any opt-outs, legal removals, or “never call me again” requests.

3. How to Add Numbers to Your DNC List (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Adding DNC via the Myphoner Interface

Here’s how most agents and admins will do it:

  1. Find the lead: When you’re viewing a lead, look for the ‘Do not call’ option (usually a button or checkbox).
  2. Mark as DNC: Click it. You’ll often get a prompt to confirm. For global DNC, make sure you’re selecting the “global” option, not just list-level.
  3. Add a note: Seriously—always add a note for why you’re marking it. “Requested removal,” “Wrong number,” or “Abusive call” all mean different things later.

What works:
This is fast and easy for single numbers, especially when you’re calling live.

What doesn’t:
Manually marking hundreds of numbers is a slog. Don’t do this for bulk imports.

Step 2: Bulk Importing DNC Numbers

If you have a big batch of numbers (from a national registry, an old CRM, or manual exports), here’s a better approach:

  1. Prepare your file:
  2. Use a CSV with at least one column for phone numbers.
  3. Make sure your numbers are clean—no weird formatting, extra punctuation, or country code issues.
  4. Go to Myphoner’s DNC import tool:
  5. Usually found in your account settings under “Do Not Call list” or similar.
  6. Upload your file:
  7. Map the number column correctly.
  8. Confirm whether you want to add these to the global DNC.
  9. Double-check the import:
  10. Myphoner typically gives you a summary of successful and failed imports.
  11. Fix any formatting problems and re-upload as needed.

What works:
Bulk imports save hours and prevent mistakes from manual entry.

What doesn’t:
Don’t blindly upload lists without checking for duplicates or bad data. Garbage in, garbage out.

Step 3: Syncing with National or Third-Party DNC Lists

If you’re in a country with a national DNC registry (like the US “Do Not Call Registry” or the UK’s TPS), you might need to cross-check your leads regularly.

  • Automated syncs: Myphoner doesn’t natively connect to these registries. If you see a company promising “instant syncing,” be skeptical.
  • Manual process: Download the latest DNC file from your regulator, then import it to Myphoner as above.
  • Frequency: Some industries need to sync weekly, others monthly. Don’t slack.

Ignore: Any “magic” integrations that claim to keep you instantly compliant. Always verify the process yourself.

4. Keeping Your DNC List Clean and Up-to-Date

Regular Maintenance

  • Schedule it: Pick a day each week or month to review and import new DNC entries.
  • Train your team: Make sure everyone knows how (and when) to mark leads as DNC.
  • Audit trails: Use Myphoner’s logging features so you can see who marked what, and why.

Handling Edge Cases

  • Wrong numbers: If a lead says “you have the wrong number,” mark it as DNC and add a note.
  • Temporary blocks: Sometimes a contact only wants to pause calls. Don’t use the global DNC for this—use tags or a custom field.
  • Multiple numbers per lead: If a contact has more than one phone number, make sure you’re marking the right one as DNC. Myphoner usually tracks by number, not just by lead.

Removing from DNC (Rarely)

  • Be careful: Removing someone from the global DNC should be rare and only if you have written, explicit permission.
  • Audit everything: Keep records in case someone complains later.

5. Integrating DNC Management with Your Workflow

When to Mark as DNC

  • During a call: If someone asks, do it immediately—don’t wait until later.
  • After a bounced email or SMS: Not always necessary, but if you’re getting “wrong number” replies, mark it.
  • After a complaint: Err on the side of caution.

Building DNC into Lead Routing

  • Automatic skips: Make sure your agents can’t see or dial DNC-marked leads. Myphoner should handle this, but test it yourself.
  • Reporting: Run regular reports on new DNC entries. If you notice a spike, dig in—maybe there’s a script or campaign problem.

Don’t Overthink It

  • Avoid double-handling: Once a number’s on the global DNC, you don’t need to tag it, archive it, and delete it—just let the system do its job.
  • Don’t rely on memory: Never trust someone’s spreadsheet or sticky note. If it’s not in Myphoner’s DNC, it doesn’t count.

6. Honest Takes: Features Worth Using (and Those to Skip)

Worth Your Time

  • Global DNC: Always use it for legal opt-outs and explicit requests.
  • Bulk imports: Essential if you’re dealing with large lists.
  • Audit logs: Useful if you ever get a compliance question.

Not Worth the Hype

  • Fancy tagging systems: For DNC, keep it simple. Don’t invent a tagging taxonomy.
  • Third-party “DNC management” apps: Unless your use case is super complex, Myphoner does what you need.
  • Automated “compliance bots”: They sound great on a sales call, but rarely work as promised.

7. What to Do If You Mess Up

Mistakes happen. Here’s what to do:

  • Stop calls immediately: If you realize someone was called after opting out, stop and fix the DNC list right away.
  • Document everything: Make a note of what happened and how you fixed it.
  • Reach out if needed: If you called someone by mistake, a short, honest apology goes a long way.
  • Review your process: Figure out why it happened (import error, agent missed a step, etc.) and update your workflow.

Keep It Simple (and Consistent)

DNC management isn’t sexy, but it’s critical. Myphoner gives you the basics you need: a global DNC list, bulk imports, and audit logs. Use them, and don’t overcomplicate things. Set a regular maintenance schedule, train your team to mark opt-outs right away, and check your work.

If you’re doing something fancy, pause and ask if it’s really necessary. Start with the basics, and only add complexity when you actually need it. Simple, consistent habits will save you more trouble than any shiny new feature.