Why Is My Phone Number Flagged as a Scam or Spam Likely? Causes and Fixes

Q: How do I unspam a mobile number?

Register your mobile number with the FTC’s 'Do Not Call Registry' and the Free Call Registry to get your phone number off the spam list.

William Anderson

Published 25 February 2025

Why are Some Numbers Flagged as Scam Likely?

Table of contents

Is your phone number constantly flagged as spam or marked as “Scam Likely”? You’re not alone. Many individuals and businesses are frustrated with their numbers being labeled as spam, even when using legitimate numbers.

When a number is considered spam, it prevents you from reaching the intended recipient. Even if your call reaches its destination, it can be ignored or blocked. This can cause significant interruptions, whether running an enterprise or contacting your loved ones.

But don’t worry! There is a simple solution. You can register your phone number as not spam by just contacting carrier providers. In this blog, we’ll learn why some numbers are flagged as “Scam Likely,” how to check if your numbers are on the spam list, and tips to avoid it. Firstly, let's understand about spam phone numbers.

What are Spam Phone Numbers?

A spam phone number is a phone number used to send unsolicited texts or make unwanted calls with a hidden caller's identity. Generally, individuals use these numbers for advertising, phishing, scamming, or distributing malware.

Spam or Scam numbers are used to sell products, promote services, or trick people into giving away personal information or money. These numbers can contact you in various forms, such as robocalls, promotional calls, or text messages claiming unpaid bills, announcing false prizes, and other fake offers.

📖 You may also read: What is Spam Risk?

How Do You Check If Your Phone Number is on the Spam List?

Use number lookup services, contact carrier providers, or simply call a user with spam detection apps on their mobile phones to know if your phone number is on the spam list.

Phone Number Lookup Service: Phone number lookup services like Truecaller offer Spam Number Lookup and Scammer Phone Number Lookup services. To check your number's legitimacy on Truecaller, enter your phone number in the search bar to see spam stats and a detailed breakdown of your number activities.
Check With Carrier Providers: Phone carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have built-in spam filters that automatically identify and block spam calls. So you can contact the support department and ask whether your number is on the spam list.
Search Online: Scam numbers are often reported by others, and they can be found on forum posts or websites that provide a list of known scam phone numbers. So, explore such sites to see if your number is also there.
Call a User With Spam Detection App: Call a person from your contacts who has installed an app to detect scams on their cell phones or enabled auto scam detection. Then, ask them what is shown in their caller ID. If your number is not legitimate, it’ll show as a spam phone number.

Why are Some Numbers Flagged as Scam Likely?

Your number might be flagged as spam if you call the same contact frequently in a short period and disconnect the call repeatedly. Moreover, if your number was previously used for scams and spam calls or has an inconsistent call history, your phone number is flagged as a spam phone number.

High Call Volume: Making 100+ calls/hour mimics robocallers or telemarketers.
Short Call Duration: Frequently hanging up under 5 seconds signal spam.
Calls Going Straight to Voicemail: If your calls are directly sent to voicemail, this may also indicate that the receiver considers your number a robocall or spam.
Previous Use By Spammers: Scammers might have previously used your number.
Users Report: Multiple recipients marking your number as spam can also red-flag your number as spam.
Caller ID Spoofing: Scammers might use caller ID spoofing to clone your number and taint its reputation.
Inconsistent Call History: Frequently Calling strangers at odd hours (e.g., late nights) represents the behavior of scammers or spammers.

📖 You may also read: Why Am I Getting So Many Spam Calls?

How to Register Your Phone Number to Avoid Being Marked as a Scam?

Register your phone number with carrier providers, the Free Call Registry, or the Federal Trade Commission to get your phone number off the spam list.

1. Register With Carrier Providers

Carriers partner with spam-filtering services to review flagged numbers:

Verizon: Submit a request via their Spam Reporting Tool.
AT&T: Works with Hiya—contact support for reevaluation.
T-Mobile: Partners with First Orion; use their Reporting Form.

2. Join the Free Call Registry

You can also register your number with the Free Call Registry. It is a streamlined service started by First Orion, Hiya, and Transaction Network Services’s partnership to remove your phone number from the spam list.

3. Register With the FTC

While designed to block telemarketers, joining the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)’s registry signals legitimacy. To register with the FTC, follow these steps:

Visit the National Do Not Call Registry.
Enter up to three numbers and your email and submit.
Click the verification link sent within 72 hours.

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How to Avoid My Phone Number Being Labeled as Spam?

To prevent your number from being flagged as spam likely, ensure you always make a call at the appropriate time while considering the frequency of calls. Also, remember to get your phone number from a legitimate provider only.

Use Proper Calling Practices: If you are running a business, call at a convenient hour, such as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each time. When making phone calls, comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and other local terms.
Rotate Your Phone Numbers: Consider using multiple numbers. This method is useful for businesses that regularly make frequent calls. Although it requires you to get multiple phone numbers, it prevents you from making repetitive calls with a single number.
Monitor Your Number Regularly: Frequently check your phone numbers with Caller IDs or spam detection features of multiple carrier providers to ensure your number has not been flagged as a scam.
Engage With Recipients: Ask your customers to save your number in their contact lists. Also, request them to report any wrongful detections and mark your phone number as “Not Spam.”
Do Not Just Call: Instead of just calling, contact someone using different communication channels, such as SMS or email, to build trust.
Leave Voicemails: Scammers usually do not leave voicemails. They hang up as soon as a call isn’t received. So, make sure you leave voicemails every time your calls go unanswered.
Ensure Your Calls Are Received: When many calls go unanswered, it can suggest that you are a potential scammer, prompting your number to be included in the carrier providers’ scam list. So, make a call only when your calls are likely to be answered.
Acquire Phone Numbers Legitimately: Lawfully get your phone numbers from an authorized source. To get a legitimate phone number, provide the necessary details, such as your real name, address, and email.

Conclusion

When your phone number is marked as spam, it can affect your business’s reputation when contacting a client. Alongside following inappropriate calling patterns, getting a phone number from a non-reliable provider is the key reason your number is labeled spam.

That's why it's always important to acquire phone numbers from a licensed dealer. If you’re looking for a reliable phone number online, consider Calilio. We offer legitimate virtual phone numbers from more than 100 countries. Sign up today!

Frequently Asked Question

What happens when a number is marked as spam?

When your number is marked spam, the receiver may not answer your call, as the spam detection system may send your call directly to voicemail instead of ringing your recipient.