Number shows as spam
Why your business number shows as spam or scam likely on mobiles, and how to get it changed.
Symptom
Section titled “Symptom”When you call mobiles, your number shows as “Spam”, “Scam likely”, “Fraud likely” or “Telemarketer”, or with the wrong name.
Likely cause
Section titled “Likely cause”Many mobiles have a caller-ID filtering app, either built in (as on Samsung phones) or installed by the user. These apps show a reputation for the calling number, and often a name.
The listings are community-driven: any app user can mark a number as spam, scam or telemarketer. When enough users mark a number, the app shows the warning to all its users.
Common apps include:
- Hiya
- Samsung Smart Call (powered by Hiya)
- Truecaller
- Showcaller
- Whoscall
- Should I Answer?
A number can also carry a listing from a previous owner. Numbers are reissued after a quarantine period once a service is cancelled, but most apps don’t expire their records.
Ask the app to update the listing
Section titled “Ask the app to update the listing”Contact each app’s developer and ask them to update the listing for your number. Each app has its own process, usually starting from a request in its support section. Only the current owner of the number can ask for a listing to be changed or removed.
Register with Apple Business Connect
Section titled “Register with Apple Business Connect”Apple Business Connect lets verified businesses register their phone numbers, so iPhones show accurate caller details.
Use a different number for caller ID
Section titled “Use a different number for caller ID”If the listing can’t be fixed, get a new number and use it as your outgoing caller ID. See Order phone numbers and Set caller ID.
Keep your number’s reputation good
Section titled “Keep your number’s reputation good”- Leave a voicemail when a call isn’t answered.
- Follow up unanswered calls with an email, so people know the call was genuine.
- Spread outgoing calls across several numbers.
- Slow your dialling rate if few calls connect.
- Check the quality of your leads.
When to contact support
Section titled “When to contact support”Your provider can’t remove a listing from these apps, and can’t guarantee a new number has never been flagged. The apps’ databases are private, so numbers can’t be checked against them. Contact the support team if you need a replacement number.