Overview
SMS verification for enrollment is an additional fraud prevention measure that requires guests to verify their mobile phone numbers with a six-digit code sent via text message before completing their loyalty program registration.
What you'll achieve
You'll enable SMS verification for your loyalty program enrollment process. This feature ensures guests enter valid mobile phone numbers when joining your program and prevents duplicate accounts using the same phone number.
NOTE: The system stores phone numbers securely for 90 days after a customer deletes or edits their account. and blocks them from being reused for new registrations, even if the original account is deleted.
Prerequisites
You must have Paytronix SMS messaging service enabled for your account before you can use SMS verification for enrollment. Contact your account representative to confirm your SMS messaging status.
For mobile apps, you'll need to ensure your apps are running on the NextGen codebase to support SMS verification functionality.
Your guests will need to have a mobile phone as landline phone numbers and voice calls are not supported by SMS Verification.
Enable SMS verification
Request SMS verification activation
Open a case with Paytronix Support to enable SMS verification for your account. This feature requires backend configuration and cannot be enabled directly from your admin dashboard.
Configure mobile apps and integrations
If you use Paytronix mobile apps, ensure they're running on the NextGen codebase to support SMS verification. For third-party integrations, your development team may need to update the fields they send in enrollment API calls.
Set up online ordering verification
For Paytronix Online Ordering systems, the database field loyalty.sms_verification_required must be set to true. This configuration is handled by Paytronix Support during the activation process.
How SMS verification works
When SMS verification is enabled, guests who sign up for your loyalty program will:
Enter their phone number during enrollment
Receive a six-digit verification code via text message
Enter the verification code to complete their account creation
Cannot proceed without successfully verifying their phone number
NOTE: The system automatically stores verified phone numbers and prevents them from being used for new registrations. This blocking system remains active for 90 days even if guests delete their accounts, providing ongoing fraud protection.
Benefits for fraud prevention
SMS verification provides stronger security than email verification alone because:
Phone numbers are harder to obtain in bulk compared to temporary email addresses
Each verification requires an active mobile device to receive the code
Registration rewards are protected from fraudulent multiple account creation
Manage blocked phone numbers
When accounts are deleted or phone numbers are changed, those phone numbers are automatically added to a block list to prevent reuse. The system maintains this block list to ensure ongoing fraud protection. You can reactivate blocked phone numbers when needed for legitimate customer service situations.
Check if a phone number is blocked
Go to Customer Service, then click Account Lookup
Enter the phone number you want to check
Click Find Account
If the phone number appears on the block list, a dialog box will show the blocked status
Reactivate a blocked phone number
Complete the steps above to confirm the phone number is blocked
In the dialog box, click Remove from Block List to reactivate the phone number
The phone number can now be used for new account registration
The dialog box also displays the automatic expiration date when the phone number will be removed from the block list without manual intervention.
Troubleshooting
Guests aren't receiving verification codes
Check that your SMS messaging service is active and properly configured. Verification codes are sent through your existing Paytronix SMS messaging system.
Mobile app enrollment isn't working
Ensure your mobile apps are updated to the NextGen codebase. Legacy app versions don't support SMS verification.
Third-party integration issues
If you use custom integrations or third-party enrollment forms, your development team may need to update their API calls to include the verification step.
FAQ
Q: How does this feature help prevent fraud compared to email verification?
A: SMS verification is more effective because temporary phone numbers are harder to obtain than temporary email addresses. Services like "10 Minute Mail" make email verification less reliable, while phone verification requires legitimate mobile devices.
Q: What are the costs associated with SMS verification?
A: Each verification code sent incurs standard SMS messaging fees through your existing Paytronix SMS service. Codes are sent for every new registration attempt that requires verification.
Q: Can I use this feature if I have third-party mobile apps or custom integrations?
A: Yes, but your development team may need to update their API integration to support the verification workflow. Paytronix provides documentation for the required enrollment API modifications.
Q: How long do blocked phone numbers stay on the block list?
A: Blocked phone numbers automatically expire from the block list after a set period. You can also manually remove them through the Account Lookup interface when needed for customer service situations.
Q: Will existing loyalty members be affected when I enable this feature?
A: No, SMS verification only applies to new enrollments after the feature is activated. Existing member accounts remain unchanged and unaffected.