Why are my Calls marked as Spam, and How can I avoid it ?

Modified on: Thu, 20 Feb, 2025 at 1:28 AM

TABLE OF CONTENTS




What is the Issue?

Many legitimate businesses find their outbound calls being marked as 'Spam Likely,' 'Scam,' 'Fraud Risk,' 'Robo Call,' or similar labels by recipient carriers, devices, or analytics services. This mislabeling can lead to unanswered calls, reduced customer engagement, and potential business loss.



How Does it Impact You?

When your calls are flagged as spam:

  • Customers may ignore or block your calls, reducing answer rates.

  • Business credibility may suffer due to negative perception.

  • Calls may be completely blocked, preventing communication with customers.

  • Operational inefficiencies may arise due to repeated call attempts.

Why Did This Issue Occur in the First Place?

The rise of robocalls and caller ID spoofing has led the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enforce authentication protocols. Carriers now use analytics engines to identify potential spam calls. If your number is unfamiliar, lacks proper authentication, or has been reported, it may be flagged as spam, even if your business is legitimate.


What Can You Do to Remediate This?

Here are actionable steps to prevent call blocking and improve answer rates:



1. CNAM Registration (for United States only)

Updating or adding CNAM (Caller Name Presentation) can improve answer rates by providing accurate caller information. However, CNAM does not remove nuisance labels.

  • How to Update CNAM:

    • Navigate to Settings > Phone Numbers > Trust Center > CNAM (Voice).

    • Update caller information to reflect accurate business details.




2. Enable SHAKEN/STIR Authentication (for United States only)

SHAKEN/STIR is a protocol designed to authenticate caller ID information and verify its legitimacy. While SHAKEN/STIR does not remove spam labels, it can increase answer rates by displaying a 'Trusted Call' label.

  • How to Register for SHAKEN/STIR:

    1. Click on Shaken/STIR (Voice) > Start Registration.

    2. Fill out Business Details, if your brand is already approved skip.

    3. Enter Business Address.

    4. Provide Authorised Representative details.

    5. Submit your registration.

    6. A confirmation message will appear, and approval can take up to 4 business days.




3. Register Your US Numbers with the Free Caller Registry (for United States only)

For US-based numbers, registering with the Free Caller Registry can help remove negative labels. This registry collaborates with major analytics companies that support key US wireless carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

  • How to Register:

    1. Go to Free Caller Registry.

    2. Click on 'Register Here'.

    3. Fill out the required information. Recommended values:
              

      • Display Name (beside Phone Number): Leave blank.

      • I believe my calls are: Select 'Other'.

      • Service Provider: Twilio.

      • Additional Information: Leave blank unless you have specific feedback.

    4. Click 'Submit'.

    5. The spam label should be reconsidered within 4 business days. If the label persists, try submitting your request directly to each carrier’s analytics partner:

4. Contact the Terminating Carrier (For International Numbers)

Currently, there is no centralized system to remove spam labels from international numbers. If your calls are flagged as spam outside the US, contact the terminating carrier directly to address the issue.


5. Consider Replacing the Phone Number

If the phone number flagged as ‘Spam Likely’ is relatively new, non-critical, or has an FTC complaint associated with it, replacing the number may be the fastest and easiest solution.



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


  • How will phone numbers be linked to the SHAKEN/STIR Profile?

All numbers will be Linked Automatically. All current available numbers and future bought numbers will automatically be linked with the registered SHAKEN/STIR.

  • How can it be that even though the client is A2P and Shaken/Stir approved with a verified caller ID setup, the business name does not show up when making calls?

To display the business name, it would be the CNAM Registration, a new feature that's coming soon. The verified caller ID feature only changes the number to display as the actual business number or the client's personal cell phone.

  • Will registering my number fix mislabeled calls?

While registration often rectifies mislabeling, it's not foolproof. Registered numbers can still be flagged based on suspicious call patterns or consumer reports. Thus, we advise:

  1.       Monitoring call behavior for unusual traffic spikes.
  2.       Adhering to TCPA laws, FCC regulations, and our Acceptable Use Policy.


  • Should I register numbers I just acquired?

Absolutely. Nuisance labels aren't auto-removed when a number's previous ownership changes. Always register new numbers.
  • How much time does FCR usually take?

Usually around 4 business days for all 3 analytics engines.


  • How many times can I submit FCR?

As many times as you want. No limits at all.


  • How much does a FCR submission cost?

    It's free of cost.

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