Oh, this isn’t 2007, where telemarketing (as a whole) boomed and people would earn tons of revenue from cold calling. This is 2025, when Western audiences have gone through the annoying 50 sales calls a day — and carriers now tag spammy or scammy numbers “Scam likely.”
But what about B2B telemarketing? Cold calling is hard itself.
People are not very receptive to being sold things on the phone — to many, it feels like intrusive or simply doesn’t fit their buying behavior.
In all that, getting labeled as “Scam Likely” is like the final nail in your coffin for your lead-gen campaigns. Your reputation takes a hit, your revenue suffers, and every important call you make gets ignored or blocked completely.
If you’re running B2B campaigns or depend on cold calling, this label creates a wall between you and your prospects. Your legitimate outreach gets treated like unwanted spam. But no need to worry.
As a cold calling expert and an email deliverability consultant who has helped thousands of businesses nail their lead-gen initiatives, I’ve poured in all my experience to prep this guide, answering:
- How to navigate carrier-specific filters like Verizon Call Filter
- Actions to remove “Scam Likely” label from your business number
- Why your calls might be getting flagged as “Scam Likely” or “Spam Risk.”
- Strategies to prevent your number from ever being flagged as spam again
Let’s dive right in and fix your caller ID reputation by removing the “scam likely” label.
Now you can do it DIY, or…
You can read the blog and remove the “scam likely” label DIY — or you can trust EmailWarmup to do it for you.
As an extension and evolution of our email warmup services, now we also manage your caller ID reputation end-to-end, ensuring you don’t lose a single lead because they chose not to answer the phone. What do we offer?
Instant carrier reputation scan
We do comprehensive cross-carrier look-ups that reveal every spam, fraud, or nuisance tag attached to your number in real time.
Smart warm-up & rotation
We place normal-behavior calls from multiple trusted carriers and automatically swap in clean numbers when needed.
STIR/SHAKEN attestation monitoring
Get alerts the moment your signature slips below “A” level so you stay FCC-ready and fix problems before losing leads.
Want to see how it works?
Why is your phone number showing as spam?
Your legitimate calls face suspicion because phone carriers use complex systems to protect consumers from unwanted calls. Sometimes these systems catch innocent businesses in their nets.
The problem stems from several interconnected factors that carriers and third-party apps use to identify potential spam.
Carrier algorithms and artificial intelligence patterns
Phone companies deploy sophisticated AI systems that analyze your calling behavior for suspicious patterns.
- Conversations that end after brief interactions
- Sudden spikes in call volume from new numbers
- Making calls that last only a few seconds repeatedly
- Using brand-new numbers without any calling history
- Calling the same number multiple times quickly (rapid dialing)
- Having many recipients consistently decline or ignore your outbound calls
Call blocking apps and carrier systems learn from these patterns to identify potential scam likely calls.
User feedback creates lasting damage
When people report your phone number as spam through carrier apps or by declining calls, those reports accumulate. Once enough people flag your number, carriers automatically apply the scam likely label.
The Do Not Call Registry, managed by the FTC, allows consumers to block telemarketing calls.
While legitimate businesses check these lists, many spammers ignore them completely. This creates general distrust toward unknown numbers.
People can also report unwanted communications to the FTC and FCC, or forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM). These reports contribute to your number’s reputation problems.
STIR/SHAKEN protocol complications
The STIR/SHAKEN framework helps combat illegal robocalls by verifying caller ID authenticity. This technology is mandatory for US voice service providers.
The system digitally signs calls to verify that calling numbers are legitimate. Calls receive attestation levels (A, B, C) based on how well carriers can verify the caller’s identity and their authorization to use that number.
When your calls lack proper attestation – perhaps due to incorrect setup or non-compliant service providers – they’re more likely to get flagged. Low attestation levels lead directly to blocking and “Scam Likely” labels.
Why are legitimate calls being blocked by caller ID?
Carriers and third-party apps prioritize consumer protection above all else. They’d rather block a few legitimate calls than let spam slip through their defenses.
The sheer volume of robocalls has made people incredibly wary. Most recipients won’t answer calls from flagged numbers they don’t recognize, even when those calls are perfectly legitimate.
This defensive approach means your genuine business communications often get caught in call blocking filters designed to stop bad actors.
The algorithms can’t always distinguish between legitimate outreach and unwanted solicitation, especially when calling patterns look similar.
What’s the real impact of a scam likely on your business?
A scam likely label devastates your sales and marketing efforts. For B2B marketers and cold calling teams, it creates massive barriers to reaching prospects.
Your connect rates plummet dramatically
About 87% of Americans refuse to answer calls from unknown phone numbers. When scam likely appears on caller ID, that percentage climbs even higher.
Over 75% of consumers simply ignore unidentified calls completely. This means your carefully crafted cold call scripts and valuable sales pitches never get heard.
Your time and resources get wasted
Your sales development representatives spend valuable time dialing numbers that get blocked, sent straight to voicemail, or immediately dismissed. This creates misleading metrics where high dial volumes don’t translate into actual conversations.
Around 80% of cold calls end up in voicemail anyway. Combined with scam likely labels on caller ID, the chance of getting a callback drops to nearly zero.
If your team makes hundreds of daily calls and a quarter get flagged, that represents a significant portion of their effort producing no results.
Financial losses mount quickly
Missed calls translate directly into missed opportunities and revenue gaps. You lose substantial amounts due to unanswered calls and spam flags.
The cost extends beyond immediate sales. It impacts lead nurturing, customer service, and overall business growth potential.
Your brand reputation suffers long-term damage
Repeatedly appearing as scam likely damages your business’s brand image. This makes future outreach even more challenging.
Your customers and prospects might view your company with suspicion, even when your intentions are completely legitimate. This perception problem can persist long after you fix the technical issues with your caller ID.
How can you remove scam likely label from your business phone number?
Restoring your business phone number’s reputation requires a systematic approach. You’ll need to work with multiple entities and maintain consistent effort.
Taking these steps can significantly improve your call answer rates and restore trust in your communications.
Register with call analytics providers
These companies influence how carriers label your calls. Registration helps them understand that you’re a legitimate business.
Free Caller Registry serves as your crucial starting point for US businesses:
- Prevents mislabeling across various carriers that use their data
- Allows you to provide business information so companies can correctly identify your calls as legitimate
Register your business phone numbers with major analytics providers like First Orion, Hiya, and TNS.
First Orion’s Business Number Registration offers direct access to a key player in caller ID management:
- Visit their business number registration portal
- Complete the straightforward, quick, and free process
- Provide detailed business information for verification
This influences how your calls get labeled and enhances your brand presence on Caller ID.
Some carriers have their own transparency initiatives. T-Mobile, for example, partners with businesses to improve call transparency, allowing companies to register numbers and names for accurate Caller ID display.
Contact major carriers directly
While often lengthy, directly appealing to carriers whose systems flag your calls can be necessary. Provide thorough details and remain patient throughout the process.
| Carrier | Where to submit / navigate | Steps to follow | What to include / notes |
| Verizon – Call Filter | voicespamfeedback.com/vsf/ → “Report a Spam Call” form | 1. Open the form. 2. Complete all fields and submit. | Your phone number Date & time of each mislabeled call Detailed explanation of legitimate business activity. |
| AT&T – Call Protect (via Hiya) | hiyahelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115014815387 → “Troubleshoot issues with your Caller ID” or “Report a Number” | 1. Click “Submit a request.” 2. Choose the relevant option and fill in details. 3. Attach supporting evidence. | Request for review & delisting. Proof of legitimate operations (e.g., website, business license). |
| T‑Mobile – Scam Shield | callreporting.t-mobile.com/ | 1. Log in / open the portal. 2. Submit your number for review. | Specific call examples (dates, times). Business credentials to verify legitimacy. |
For other major carriers (Sprint, US Cellular), search their support pages for “report mislabeled calls” or “caller ID issues.” Many provide online forms or dedicated customer service lines for this purpose.
Check STIR/SHAKEN compliance and attestation
Ensuring proper call attestation is critical for preventing “Scam Likely” labels. This process verifies your identity as the legitimate caller.
FCC Registration requirements for high-volume calling businesses:
- Get an FCC Registration Number (FRN)
- Get an Operating Company Number (OCN)
- File FCC Form 499A (Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet)
Digital certificates require working with certified authorities (often your voice service provider) to acquire certificates that allow call signing under the STIR/SHAKEN framework.
Strive for A-level attestation, which signifies that your service provider knows your identity and confirms your authorization to use the calling number. This significantly reduces flagging likelihood.
If your calls consistently receive lower attestation levels (B or C), investigate with your voice service provider immediately.
Monitor your phone number reputation
Fixing reputation problems requires ongoing vigilance, not just one-time efforts. You need to monitor your numbers regularly to catch flagged numbers before they damage your outbound calls.
At EmailWarmup, we specialize in monitoring and managing caller ID reputation:
- Helping ensure proper call authentication and labeling
- Allowing number verification, brand name display, and call performance analytics
- Monitoring and managed services to track flagging status across carriers and apps
Regular monitoring involves periodically checking your primary outbound phone numbers using free online tools or calling different carrier numbers yourself to see how they appear on caller ID systems.
How do you verify your business phone number for caller ID?
Verification involves proving your phone number’s legitimacy to carriers and analytics providers. This goes beyond simple registration to establish a trustworthy digital identity for your outbound calls.
The process requires consistency across all your business communications and careful attention to technical details that affect caller ID display.
Maintain consistent caller ID information
Ensure your caller ID name (CNAM) stays consistent across all phone systems, CRM platforms, and carrier registrations. Inconsistencies often lead to flagged numbers and call blocking issues.
Use strategic local presence dialing
While not direct verification, using local area codes can increase answer rates and build trust by indicating legitimacy to recipients.
Establish directory listings
Make sure your business phone number appears consistently in online directories (Google My Business, Yelp, industry-specific directories) with accurate information. This provides public validation of your number’s legitimacy and helps prevent scam likely labels.
Work closely with your voice service provider
Your VSP plays a crucial role in STIR/SHAKEN attestation:
- Confirm their compliance with STIR/SHAKEN protocols
- Discuss how they handle attestation for your outbound calls
- Ensure accurate business detail registration for proper call signing
How can you stop your outgoing calls from showing as spam risk?
Prevention proves far more efficient than trying to fix problems after they occur. Smart calling practices help you maintain a clean caller ID reputation and avoid the frustration of blocked communications.
Understanding what triggers flags
Phone numbers get flagged for erratic call patterns, high volumes of short calls, and repeated attempts to reach numbers that don’t answer or report them. Understanding these triggers helps you avoid them.
Smart dialer configuration and rotation
This represents one of the most effective strategies for high-volume callers to avoid flagged numbers.
Dynamic Number Rotation (DID Rotation) distributes call volume across multiple phone numbers instead of overwhelming a single line.
EmailWarmup offers sophisticated rotation features with dialer configuration options, which can dramatically improve answer rates. Some businesses have seen blocked calls drop from 8-10% to less than 2%.
Also, it prevents any single phone number from being overwhelmed
You can try ” cooling” flagged numbers, which involves temporarily removing problematic phone numbers from rotation.
During this period, their scam likely status may naturally diminish as they generate no suspicious activity.
Also, you can go for local presence dialing. While not directly preventing call blocking, it uses local phone numbers for geographic targets to increase answer rates — indirectly reducing the likelihood of calls being ignored and reported.
Maintain regulatory compliance
Compliance forms the foundation of legitimate calling practices.
TCPA
Telephone Consumer Protection Act guidelines require rigorous adherence, especially regarding consent for automated calls and texts.
DNC
Do Not Call Registry compliance means scrupulously checking and scrubbing calling lists against national and state registries. Calling listed numbers can lead to reports and substantial fines.
FCC
FCC regulations for telemarketing and robocalling require staying updated on current guidelines and requirements.
Adopt ethical dialing practices
Beyond legal compliance, ethical calling behaviors reduce negative recipient experiences.
Moderate call volume
Avoid excessively high volumes from single numbers in short periods
Appropriate call duration
Aim for calls lasting longer than a few seconds. Consistently very short calls signal automated systems or unwanted outreach.
Vary call scripts and pacing
Avoid robotic or repetitive sounds. Natural, varied conversations are less likely to trigger algorithmic flags.
Use clean, targeted contact lists
Data hygiene requires regularly cleaning contact lists and removing inactive or invalid phone numbers that could trigger call blocking.
Lead quality focus means calling qualified leads who are more likely to engage, leading to longer, positive interactions and fewer ignored outbound calls.
Connect with more prospects with a clean caller ID reputation
Your phone numbers are critical sales assets. When they show as scam likely or get flagged status, you lose qualified leads before conversations even start.
At EmailWarmup, we help you maintain pristine caller ID reputation across all carriers, ensuring your outbound calls reach prospects instead of getting blocked, offering:
Higher connect rates
Get up to 31% lift from day one with improved caller ID reputation
Build brand trust
Your calls show your business name instead of ‘Unknown’ on mobile phones
FCC-ready compliance
Our services ensure your phone numbers get proper STIR/SHAKEN attestation checks
Data-driven rotations
Our API swaps your numbers automatically before carriers can create flagged numbers
We’ve helped countless successful cold calling campaigns across the globe improve their outbound calls performance, and we can do it for you too.
Let’s schedule a call?
(And let us be the last people who see your number as “Scam likely”)
Frequently asked questions about caller ID reputation
Here’s everything you need to know about caller ID reputation and how you can improve it to prevent call blocking.
Carrier spam filters analyze factors such as frequency, short call durations, and complaint reports to determine if a number is suspicious. Even legitimate numbers can resemble spam patterns. If several recipients flag a number as unwanted, the system begins marking future calls from that number as “Scam Likely.”
Add the number to your contacts. Most carrier apps, such as T-Mobile’s Scam Shield or Verizon’s Call Filter, have sections for “allowed” or “trusted” numbers. Adding the legitimate number there ensures it doesn’t get filtered out.
On iPhone, go to Settings → Phone → Silence Junk Callers and ensure your carrier’s identification services are enabled under Call Blocking & Identification. Android users should turn on built-in spam protection via the Phone app’s settings. Third-party apps offer extra protection, but review permissions and privacy policies first.
Register your business number with carrier-level registries, such as Free Caller Registry, Hiya, and TNSI. Ensure your number complies with STIR/SHAKEN protocols and that your CNAM (caller ID name) is set correctly. Once registered, request removal from spam databases and follow up if your number is still flagged by carriers.
Start by registering with services like Free Caller Registry, Hiya, and First Orion. Verify that your number has STIR/SHAKEN attestation and that the correct CNAM configuration is in place. After allowing time for carriers to update, use the specific carrier delisting portals and follow their respective reporting processes. Finally, monitor and continue following calling guidelines to avoid re-listing.
Enable both Scam Shield and Scam ID via the T-Mobile app or by dialing #662#. In the app, you can add numbers to a trusted list and report mislabels using the “Report Scam” or “Not Scam” options. This feedback helps retrain the system to recognize your contacts as safe.
AT&T’s Call Protect classifies calls based on dynamic analytics. If a legitimate number is misidentified, whitelist it using the app’s “Allow List.” You can also reduce filtering aggressiveness via settings and report incorrect labels back to AT&T. These corrections help the system better recognize trusted contacts.
Open Verizon’s Call Filter app, navigate to Settings → Spam Filter, and reduce the filter’s strictness or disable it altogether. Use the “My List” feature to manually whitelist contacts. When a real call gets wrongly filtered, mark it “Not Spam” to help train Verizon’s algorithms.
Yes, but there are trade-offs. On iPhone, disable “Silence Junk Callers” in Phone settings. Android users can turn off spam protection in their Phone app. Keep in mind this allows all calls—including spam—to ring through, putting you at greater risk of nuisance calls. Disabling is a workaround rather than a fix.
Add the mislabeled contacts directly to Nomorobo’s whitelist within the app. Visit the app’s settings to lower call blocking sensitivity. Every time a trusted number gets flagged, mark it as “Not Spam” – these reports feed back to improve the app’s filters over time.
