# Best Practices to Protect You from Toll Fraud Toll fraud occurs when unauthorized parties exploit vulnerabilities in your system to make expensive, long-distance calls at your expense. Preventing toll fraud is critical to protecting your business from financial loss. Below are best practices and strategies to avoid toll fraud ### Partner Responsibilities #### Strong Password Management * **Create Strong Passwords:** Ensure that the web GUI access to your device is secured by using complex passwords that incorporate a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols * **Avoid Default Passwords:** Change the default password immediately upon installation. * **Unique Passwords:** Use different passwords for your IP phone Regular Software Updates * **Keep Firmware Updated:** Regularly check for and install firmware updates for your IP phone and PBX. * **Update Operating System:** Ensure your network equipment has the latest security patches. Network Security * **Firewall Protection:** Implement a firewall to protect your network from unauthorized access. * **Port Forwarding:** Limit port forwarding to essential services. Implementing restrictions to the service * As a safeguard against Toll Fraud, partners should request that international calling be disabled during the initial setup process Restrict International Calling * If your service is a SIP trunk, ensure that your PBX enables international call blocking. ### Hosted Network Responsibility #### User Authentication * Ensure to use more complex password for the extension (VOIP bundle or SIP Trunk service) to prevent unauthorized registration Implementing restrictions * Ensure that international calls are blocked as per the partner's instructions Monitor Fraudulent Activity * Continuously monitor traffic patterns for fraud, and provide **real-time alerts** to the partner in case of suspicious activities. * Block unauthorized calls to high-risk destinations or numbers. Following these guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of Toll Fraud.