Why carriers label calls
US mobile carriers and call-blocking apps score incoming calls to protect people from robocalls. When a number's calling pattern looks like a robocaller, the call can arrive with a label such as "Spam Likely" or "Scam Risk", or be blocked. The label is applied by the receiving carrier or app, not by the provider that placed the call.
What STIR/SHAKEN does
STIR/SHAKEN is the US framework for signing caller ID. The provider that places the call digitally signs it and says how sure it is that the caller may use the number shown. The receiving carrier checks that signature. A properly signed call from a number you really own is less likely to be treated as spoofed, but a signature alone does not stop a spam label if the calling pattern looks abusive.
Patterns that get numbers flagged
- Many short calls in a short time, especially to people who never called you.
- A high share of unanswered or very short calls.
- Calling lists of numbers in sequence.
- Complaints from people who received the calls.
- A brand-new number that suddenly places a large volume of outbound calls.
How to keep your number clean
- Call people who expect to hear from you: customers, partners, people who asked for a callback.
- Grow outbound volume gradually on a new number.
- Set a caller ID name (CNAM) so your company name can show on supported phones.
- Leave a short voicemail and follow up by text or email instead of calling repeatedly.
- Never use a business line for unsolicited marketing calls; that breaks our acceptable use policy and US telemarketing rules.
If your number is already labeled
Stop outbound calling on that number for a while and contact support. Major carriers and analytics companies offer ways to request a review of a business number. Inbound calls and texts are not affected by a spam label, so the number keeps working for verification codes and customer replies.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. All guides