How to Remove the SPAM Designation from Your Business Phone Number
Spam calls have become a persistent problem, affecting millions of Americans each year. The situation is only worsening, with reports of spam increasing—a trend that shows no signs of slowing down with AI developments arming real spammers.
To combat this, phone carriers are increasingly deploying solutions like SPAM RISK Caller ID, designed to help consumers identify and avoid spam calls. However, these technologies are not infallible and can sometimes mislabel legitimate business numbers as spam. This mislabeling can cause significant issues for your business, as potential customers might mistake your calls for spam and ignore them.
Understanding SPAM RISK Caller ID
SPAM RISK Caller ID technology cross-references incoming calls with a carrier’s database of reported scam numbers. If your number matches one in the database, the call might be labeled as “Scam Likely,” “Fraud Risk,” “Spam Risk,” or another variant depending on the carrier and device. This labeling allows recipients to make an informed decision about whether to answer the call or not.
Why Might Your Business Number Be Labeled as Spam?
Even if your business operates ethically, your number could still be flagged as spam. Several factors could contribute to this, including:
- High volumes of outgoing calls from your number
- Prior reports of spam associated with your number
- Incorrect or incomplete outbound caller ID setup (e.g., an invalid phone number)
Another common issue is number spoofing, where a malicious actor uses your number to make spam calls, resulting in your legitimate calls being flagged.
If your business number gets labeled as a spam risk, it can severely impact your ability to reach customers. They may see a warning like “SPAM RISK” when you call and might assume it’s an unwanted solicitation, choosing not to answer.
4 Steps to Remove SPAM Designations from Your Business Number
1. Register Your Number with a Free Caller Registry
One proactive measure is to register your business number with a free caller registry. Platforms like Free Caller Registry and Call Transparency allow you to submit your number to major call management services used by U.S. carriers. Registering helps ensure your number is recognized and less likely to be flagged as spam. It’s a good practice whether or not you’ve experienced spam flagging issues.
2. Update Your CNAM Caller ID
Have your managed voice provider update the CNAM caller ID to reflect your company’s business name. CNAM stands for “Caller Name” and is an Intelligent Network (IN) service that displays a caller’s name on a digital readout. This feature allows you to customize the name your business phone number displays to those you call. If you need help with this or your current voice provider is unable to solve this, book an intro call to see why you need to work with DataTel’s Managed Voice experts<
