In cold calls, it’s a pretty common reaction when prospects ask how you are able to find them. But this single question can have a diverse meaning, from curiosity to commanding. Detecting the actual meaning and giving the response accurately is what leads to a successful conversation.
This blog will discuss the actual meaning that prospects are expressing, how tone the biggest factor here and what compliance issue that prospect might be seeking.
Why Do Prospects Ask, How Did You Get My Number?
Arguably this is one of the most common questions cold calling services face on a regular basis. Although it’s a common question, the reply always changes from call to call.
But why?
The reason is simple, the tone actually shows the real reason for asking the question. It could be curiosity, concern for privacy or security breach or from a previous bad cold call experience.
Privacy Concern is the Biggest Factor
When the prospects ask where did you get my number in a pale condescending tone, it refers that the prospect is worried about their privacy. In B2B, decision makers are sensitive and avoid calls in most cases because they hold key information and resources of a business.
Often business strictly restricts employees to receive any unknown calls, or give the responsibility to someone specifically.
When these filtration breaks and decision makers receive a call, they start concerning about privacy breach. And their response, ‘where you get my number!’ reflects it.
Businesses often set policy not to share credentials or numbers. So when they get these calls, having a privacy concern is a genuine response.
Managers Priorities Risk Assessment
Fraud calls are a growing concern and managers show no pick-ups for cold calls in some cases. But when they receive it, the very first question that comes to their mind is, is this call safe?
When prospects asks where have you find my number in a suspicious tone, it indicates they are evaluating potential risks of the call.
In this situation, key factors changes mangers view:
- Pattern Interpretation: Breaking the prospect from his or her defensive mode
- Compliance Script: Describe the source of the number in openings
- BOP (Bridge of Permission): Answer briefly the source after the question
- Handling Friction Point : Use tone and pace to gain prospect’s trust
- Permission-Based Opening with Proactive Transparency : Tell the prospect it’s a cold call, whether they are interested to continue or not and then proactively describe the source where you get the number
Decision Makers Can Become Irritated With Calls
Key management designation like CEO, CFO, COO are highly delicate and work-load-packed positions. They have to spend a huge amount of time in meetings, inquiries, appointments and management related tasks.
Even if you are able to break all the gatekeepers and risk managers and connect with the decision makers, you would probably face irritation from them. Because top managers always evaluate value against their time and cold calls can have lower value proposition for them.
That is why getting a reaction like where you get my number often indicates clear irritation. For the same reason, cold calling companies guide their callers with rejection mitigation strategies to cope up with this situation.
Influence and Command Over the Caller
In some rare cases, prospects actually allow and want cold calls. It’s because cold calls often give them better options and market insights. For example, commercial insurance is a hectic task to choose from. When decision makers have calls from an appointment setting service to set a meeting with an insurance agent, they allow these calls.
In this case, managers ask the question to gain influence or command over the caller. It helps them to secure key insights and topics to argue while negotiation.
They usually seek:
- Does the caller have a better offer?
- Will this help my business operation?
- What does their offer cost? Is it more or less than my current one?
- Will it be viable?
- How much time will it take to adapt?
So when prospects want to set a commanding or influencing tone it’s actually an opportunity for the caller. That’s why during phone selling, understanding the psychology of the call is significantly important. Cold calling operations guides its reps to use a 70:30 method in these situations, talk 30 percent and list 70. This often leads to a successful outcome from the call.
Often Prospect is Just Curious About Where You Get the Contact Information
A neutral, warm or persuasive tone often indicates that the prospect is just curious about where you get their information. These types of responses often lead to a one-call-close deals.
This is mainly common in B2C or from smaller business operations when prospects are not familiar with cold calls.
From a lead or sales perspective, these contacts have a high possibility to make action during the call. Because curiosity allows reps to communicate more and deliver an engaging conversation.
These prospects also have shorter funnel conversion cycles and shifts from top to bottom of the funnel (TOFU to BOFU) faster than other leads. And the best way to continue these conversations are to use tone mirroring and let the prospect talk.
Your Tone Reflects Compliance When Prospects Ask Where You Got Their Number
Previous discussions showed how one single question can have different meanings. In cold calling or telemarketing, an agent’s response tone is significantly important to tackle prospect’s questions.
TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act , DNC (do not call), MSPA (Multi-State Privacy Agreement) are core compliance that every cold calling company needs to follow. Agents need to have sufficient idea of these because prospects can ask additional compliance related questions.
Tone Sets Your Appearance and Response
When answering questions like where you get my number, response totally depends on the hidden meaning of the question. Here are common strategies to respond :
| Question Meaning | Response Strategy |
| Privacy Concern | If you detect privacy concern, immediately inform the source and reason for calling |
| Risk Assessment | Describe you are following compliance and show social proof if there are any |
| Prospects Showed Irritation | Ask if they prefer any other channel for communication. |
| Influence and Command | Observe carefully and provide soft offered for further engagement |
| Curiosity | Keep the call engaging with calm and consultative nature with tone mirroring. |
Your Appearance and Response Build Trust on Compliance
When you respond according to the prospect’s actual intent, it automatically helps you to build trust and show that you are following compliance.
From business point of view, you need to check these before calling:
- Does the number exist on the DNC registry?
- Is it volition any TCPA regulation?
During the call your answers have to be clear and indicate the actual intent. All these combinedly will ensure that you respond accordingly by maintaining the compliance factors.
How to Overcome ‘Where Did You Get My Number?’
Usually prospects make up their mind within seconds about a call. With a balanced tone, speed and script you can handle any type of objections from prospects’ side. Especially when you are getting strong questions like where have you found my number.
To overcome this question barrier, listen to the prospect’s tone and follow these:
- Maintain a calm and warm tone and directly answer the sources
- Try to be honest and empathetic with your responses
- Ask permission whether they want to continue or not
- Ask for alternative contacts
- If they provide alternative contact ask for a better time
- Do not avoid the question with a vague reply
- Stay confident and avoid jargon or voice fry during call
The best way to overcome this situation is to answer directly. But you need to be strategic while answering. You can’t just mention the data broker, lead generation tool or agencies name directly.
Rather your response will be like
- We get it from our CRM database
- You publicly provided in one of your socials
- You fill up one of our forms
- You used one of our demos
- We got it from a Lead generation tool
- Someone referred you
Overall, after these there is a good possibility that you can overcome the question barrier and continue a meaningful conversation.
Final Thoughts
When prospects ask, How did you get my number?, it isn’t just about the data source. Rather It reflects privacy concerns, related risks, irritation, curiosity or even a desire for control. Detecting tone is essential because the same words can signal completely different intentions.
A compliant, calm and transparent response builds trust instantly. When callers combine regulatory awareness with tone control and honest endings, they reduce conflict and increase conversation quality. In cold calling, compliance protects you legally, but tone protects the opportunity.
