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

If you find your business number incorrectly labeled as spam, don’t worry. Here are some effective strategies to resolve this issue:

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 you 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 of why you need to work with DataTel’s Managed Voice experts. 

3. Contact Carriers and Spam Blocking Apps Directly

Unfortunately, there is no single database where you can request to have your number unflagged. Each carrier maintains its own records, making it necessary to reach out to each one individually. While this process can be time-consuming, it’s crucial for ensuring your calls are not mislabeled.

Identify what carrier where your calls are being identified as SPAM by asking the end user. Then contact contact the phone carriers and even spam blocking apps to get your number whitelisted:

4. Consider Changing Your Number and Get a New DID (vanity number)

If your business number is relatively new and not yet widely recognized, you might opt for a new number. This approach can be effective if you plan to make many outbound calls. However, be aware that the new number might have its own history, potentially leading to similar issues. It’s essential to test any new numbers across different carriers to ensure they aren’t flagged.

For established businesses, changing your number should be a last resort due to the potential disruption it can cause. But it is very cheap to buy an additional vanity DID (Direct Inward Dialing) number so it can be a very attractive option if the spam calls are too much.