First, let’s take a quick look at the reasons why a call may be flagged:
- Call recipients manually flagging your number as spam
- Inconsistent call volume
- Cold starting numbers (for example, if you go from zero calls to over 100 in an hour). It is common for the first few calls you make to be flagged as spam, as the carriers do not recognize the number.
- Short-duration calls, which are typically under five seconds
- Triple calling
- Too many ignored calls are sent straight to voicemail
Disclaimer: The factors contributing to numbers being flagged are ever-evolving and often vary by carrier. Additionally, recommended actions to safeguard against or respond to flags are evolving as well. We cannot guarantee the applicability of this information to your particular situation, so due diligence is recommended.
Steps to reduce the likelihood of flags:
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Register with the Free Caller Registry (FCR): It’s imperative that you add all your numbers to the FCR. It’s a free site, run in partnership with the major U.S. carriers and the analytics engines that support them. By registering, you provide critical data that helps affirm that your calls are valid and should go through to subscribers with a limited risk of being flagged.
- Note: For numbers you purchase through PhoneBurner, our team can submit your numbers for you at no cost and help you mitigate flags when they appear. To opt in, simply complete your Business Verification, navigate to the Carrier Registration page under Number Settings, and switch the toggle to Enabled.
- Use smart calling discipline: It's important to practice good call etiquette and avoid actions that could upset the person on the other end of the line. This is crucial as reports from call recipients can lead to your number being flagged. To prevent this, refrain from engaging in any suspicious or fraudulent behavior. Additionally, avoid any action that could be seen as bothersome, such as repeatedly calling the same person or abruptly ending the call.
- Maintain consistent call patterns: It is important that you maintain consistent call volume and call patterns and build up a "history" on your phone numbers. This consistent usage helps carriers see that you're not a spammer (who buys and replaces numbers constantly). If your new number is marked as spam, read this.
- Understand the laws: It's important to know the laws regulating telemarketing on federal, state, and local levels to avoid incorrect marking of your number.
What to do if your number is flagged as spam:
If you believe that your legitimate calls are being flagged, take steps to remediate them with the carriers. If you are using PhoneBurner numbers, we can help and remediate on your behalf. If the number is your own, see each carrier's spam remediation website below. While we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of this approach, it's possible that these links may help you remove the spam label. We want to emphasize that PhoneBurner.com is not associated with these companies.
- Verizon - https://voicespamfeedback.com/vsf/
- TMobile - https://calltransparency.com/
- AT&T - https://hiyahelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=824667
Need further assistance?
If you still have questions and want to request a direct consultation, email us at trust@phoneburner.com.
More info is also available in our blog post: Why You're Marked Scam Likely, and How to Fight Back
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