When an alarm is triggered out of hours, every second counts. Whether it’s an intruder, a fire panel, or a site access issue, our control room operators will act immediately. But sometimes, when we try to reach the designated keyholder, we don’t get an answer.
It’s easy to assume this is down to negligence or lack of care, but in reality, there are many reasons why calls go unanswered. And in today’s world, the odds are stacked against a phone call being picked up straight away.
Why Calls Get Missed
1. Spam & scam call fatigue
According to industry reports, spam calls have surged year on year. Most people now ignore any number they don’t recognise — assuming it’s a cold call, rather than their security company trying to reach them. If Farsight isn’t saved in your contacts, there’s a strong chance our call could be missed when it matters most.
2. Busy, distracted lives
From late-night meetings to family responsibilities, people’s lives are more hectic than ever. A ringing phone at the wrong time can feel disruptive. Many people instinctively silence calls, planning to “call back later” — which isn’t ideal when your property security is on the line.
3. Unknown numbers go unanswered
Surveys show that less than half of all phone calls are answered, and only around a quarter of unidentified numbers get picked up. If our ARC number isn’t stored in your phone, you may never know it was us until a voicemail arrives.
4. Shift to text-based communication
Text messages, WhatsApp, and app notifications have replaced phone calls for many people. In fact, 90% of text messages are read within three minutes, while phone calls are far less likely to be answered immediately. But in an emergency, a phone call is still the fastest way to verify and escalate.
Why This Matters for Security
When Farsight cannot get through to a keyholder, response times can be delayed. In the case of intruder alarms or police attendance, every minute counts. False alarms also become more likely if we cannot verify what’s happening on site quickly.
Our operators are trained to act fast — issuing audio warnings, contacting emergency services, and dispatching mobile keyholders where required. But we still rely on your cooperation to ensure the right people are reached in real time.
The Simple Fix: Make Sure You Never Miss Our Call
The best way to avoid missed calls is simple:
- Save Farsight’s 24/7 keyholding call-out number (01733 35 24 35) in your phone contacts.
- Label it clearly as “Farsight ARC / Keyholding Response” so you instantly recognise it as urgent.
- Set a unique ringtone just for our number so you know straight away it’s us calling.
- Turn up the ring volume or enable vibration alerts for this contact if you often miss calls in noisy environments.
- Use “favourites” or emergency bypass on your smartphone, so our calls ring even if your phone is on silent or “Do Not Disturb”.
This one quick step ensures that when our ARC rings you, you know it’s not a scammer — it’s your security team acting to protect your site.
Final Thoughts
Security today is about partnership. We invest in advanced monitoring technology, but effective protection also depends on timely communication with you, the keyholder. By adding Farsight’s number to your contacts, you’re helping us protect your people, premises, and assets more effectively.
Next time your phone rings out of hours, you’ll know — it’s not a nuisance call. It’s Farsight keeping you secure.
📞 Save our number today: 01733 35 24 35
