FAQ

How long does it take to register?

Only a few minutes with two forms to complete. One is the registrant’s information and another for descriptive details and photos. If you are using a promo code, then there would be one additional form.

Can I edit or update my information?

YES. Simply LOG IN with Username and Password and modify information and photos anytime.

How quickly will the poster be created and distributed after calling Call Alert Center?

Once updates of the situation are complete, our system is very automated, usually less than 7 minutes.

To whom and where will the poster and text link of the missing person be sent?

We send it immediately to you, your buddy list, local law enforcement, our mobile network, registrant's Twitter account, and news media, if necessary. Once you receive the text link, forward it immediately to your mobile contacts and ask them to forward it to theirs. This will create tremendous awareness instantly and may speed up the recovery.

How many languages can the missing person posters and mobile text links be translated to?

You can translate up to 106 languages with a drop-down translate menu on the mobile phone that allows instant translation to another language.

Is using a promo code different when registering?

Yes. Go to our website and REGISTER. The site takes you to Partner Register where you input the promo code and SUBMIT. You will immediately see your voucher link and it will also be emailed to you. You may copy/paste the link from the web page or use the link in your email, BUT you MUST be logged out to use it. This will take you to your Voucher Registration, where you fill out general information on the first form and input on the second for your descriptive information, including photos. There is a video of how this process at the HOW IT WORKS tab.

How do I purchase more vouchers?

Log in with your user name and password, a webpage will appear and click on the green ADD VOUCHERS tab and submit. You will be charged accordingly with your initial offering and an email immediately sent with a new voucher link for registrations. You may do this as many times as needed. 

Why do we ask to contact law enforcement first?

This is done to legitimize the missing person case and to get a case number for tracking. We learned early on that, unfortunately, some parents "throw" their children out and then report them missing to cover their actions. We want to provide the best service by serving those who actually need it.

What if I am traveling abroad?

If you are in a foreign country, our service will be needed more as no one wants to be completely helpless if they go missing where help may be limited.

Is Call Alert Center an insurance product?

This is not insurance, though it may look, sound and feel like it. That also means our service is not regulated as insurance, thus giving partner companies more flexibility on how to utilize it.

Why is Call Alert Center so inexpensive to be so valuable?

Millions of people and pets are at risk. With millions of customers, we can keep our costs down. We want to make it affordable for anyone.

Should I be worried about sexual predators getting to my child's information?

Absolutely not. Sexual predators lure children through blogs, chat rooms, emails, and certain websites. Our secure website and encrypted databases ensure your child's information is safe.

Would this service be helpful for human trafficking?

Absolutely. Almost as many people are part of the human trafficking crisis as there are reported missing. As a parent and your child were taken, our service may be helpful with someone seeing your loved one when normally they would not have any idea they were missing. This could happen being smuggled across a border or working the streets as a sex slave.

How often should I update my information?

When any changes in appearance are notable, update your information. Differences can include hairstyle, hair color, weight gain or loss, scars braces, etc.

Can't the parents spread the news about a missing child themselves?

Yes and they should, but if they are in a state of shock, which is likely, important facts may get left out. They shouldn't have to worry about assembling information and photos, convey pictures and descriptions to print or figure out how to disseminate information.

Can the police handle all these responsibilities?

Law-enforcement agencies need to direct their resources to the prevention and detection of crime; they're not primarily in the business of interacting with the mass media and most only have a small team to help with someone missing.

Why do we use only a photo, instead of videotape, fingerprints and DNA samples?

It is a fact that 90% of missing people are recovered with the use of a photo than anything else. A still image is easier for most people to remember than text. Photographs can be posted in public places and quickly passed around; videotapes cannot. Fingerprints and DNA samples are identification tools - they do little to assist in recovery efforts.

How is Customer Support provided?

We have excellent customer support personnel available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Our team is dedicated to providing the necessary support in an emergency. The toll-free number is strictly for emergency calls only. If you have questions about your account or about non-emergency matters, you can contact us via email at one of the email addresses on the website. 

For college students, why not use the campus emergency notification system?

Unfortunately, colleges do not consider a missing student an emergency and likely never send out an emergency alert for a missing student.

Could the College use my Student ID photo if a student is missing?

Yes, and with most colleges, the student ID photo was taken when a student first enrolls and remains valid as long as they are enrolled. It is not uncommon for a 5th year senior to still be using the same student ID obtained as a freshman. At Call Alert Center the photo and detailed information can be updated anytime at no additional charge.

Why don't every college include this service for each student?

Perception mostly. Though we have several colleges that offer this, most colleges are afraid offering our service may imply the college is not safe. The very opposite is true. A parent's biggest fear is their child's safety while they are away at collage and our service helps ease that fear and creates peace of mind.

Can campus security handle a missing student?

Probably not. A missing student is not what they are prepared to do. They are much like other law enforcement in protecting the students on campus, not off. Since most students go missing away from campus, the college will be limited in what they can and will do.

For pet owners, how does Call Alert Center compare to other services?

Our service is superior in many ways like customer service available 24 x 7, speed of distribution (minutes vs. hours), features like the text link of mini-pet poster sent to mobile phones (not faxes or voice messages) and price ($20 per year vs. up to $449.98 for Pet Amber Alert and up to $875 for FIND TOTO).

Why do we use only a photo, instead of microchips, collars or tags?

Our posters and URL text link of a mini-poster to mobile phones let others know your pet is missing IMMEDIATELY whereas microchips, collars, and tags only identify the owner AFTER the pet is found. We are a recovery service, the other options are identification tools.

If I find a missing pet, who do I notify?

Simply call the owner's phone number on text alert or on the missing pet poster.

When the poster goes out, who receives it?

The missing poster text link is sent to the pet owner, their buddy list and our mobile network in a specified mile radius based on zip codes. In addition, the full missing poster is sent to your email, your buddy list and to the local animal shelters list we have.

What service do I choose if I want to sign as an adult?

Choose the Corporate Alert service. This service was designed for travelers but you don't have to be a traveler to use our service.