What should you do when you get a phone call and see “Spam Risk” on your screen? Should you answer? The short answer is no – it’s probably spam.
If your Caller ID screen shows “Spam Risk” (or something similar like “Scam Likely” or “Scam Risk”), it means your mobile carrier identifies the incoming call as spam. It’s generally best to ignore these calls as spam detection algorithms are pretty accurate. Chances are, the person on the other end of the call wants to exploit you by getting you to divulge private information or direct you to malicious websites.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about these calls, including what they are, why you’re getting them, and how to block spam calls on iPhone and Android. First—let’s take a look at what these calls are and why they get flagged.
If scammers have your phone number, it’s possible someone got hold of your private information through nefarious means. It’s important to take steps to protect your digital privacy and one way to stop cybercriminals from getting your data is with a VPN. ExpressVPN encrypts your internet traffic, blocks trackers, and helps prevent your private information from falling into the wrong hands.
What are “Spam Risk” phone calls?
Phone companies flag phone calls they believe could be potential spam. These calls often come from unknown numbers, unwanted robocalls, or telemarketers. When you see “Spam Risk” on your Caller ID screen, it’s a warning from your phone carrier that answering may lead to unwanted conversations or scams.
Scammers often use phishing emails, text messages, and calls to get valuable information from you. They can use any information you give them for fraud, identity theft, or data harvesting. If they gather enough personal information, they can use it to hack your accounts or sell it to data brokers. They may even trick you into “buying” something over the phone—something they never deliver.
Scam calls are not harmless. According to CNBC, fraudulent calls in the United States caused a total loss of about 29.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 alone. Who would have thought those pesky calls fuel a multi-billion dollar industry?
Why does “Spam Risk” appear?
Phone carriers use advanced phone scam detection algorithms to detect spam calls and warn you about suspicious call activity. If a number repeatedly makes high volumes of calls or gets reported as spam, it raises red flags. Carriers then label it as “Spam Risk” to warn you of potential scams or fraud.
Ultimately, whether you answer the call is up to you. The system’s purpose is to give you a heads-up about a potential threat. While it isn’t perfect, it greatly reduces interruptions from unwanted callers and prevents people from falling victim to theft.
The detection systems typically rely on machine learning. An algorithm studies a database of known phone numbers from fraudulent or deceptive sources against behavioral analytics (number of calls, etc.).
When you get a call from a number on the database or one that’s behaving suspiciously, the call gets marked as “Spam Risk”. You can generally trust these warnings, but since the process is automated, some calls may get wrongly flagged. This can lead to you missing important calls.
How accurate is “Spam Risk”?
“Spam Risk” labels are mostly accurate but they’re not perfect. Phone carriers and apps use advanced tools to spot robocalls, scam calls, and sales calls. They look at call behavior and spam reports to determine whether to flag a number.
Can legitimate calls sometimes be labeled as “Spam Risk”?
Yes, unfortunately, legitimate calls can sometimes be wrongly labeled. Phone carriers do their best to detect scams, but since it’s based on prediction, it’s not 100% accurate.
If a phone number consistently makes a high volume of calls, it may get flagged. The problem is some businesses need to make a lot of calls consistently.
For instance, certain sales teams, survey takers, or delivery services that make a lot of calls every day may look suspicious to spam detection tools. Businesses can fix this by verifying their numbers and updating caller ID details. If you notice a mistake, reporting it helps improve accuracy.
If you’re expecting a call from someone not on your contact list, check your call history to make sure that it wasn’t wrongly labeled as spam. Adding the number to your contact list is the best way to avoid missing legitimate calls.
How do carriers and apps detect and label spam calls?
Carriers use algorithms to detect and block scam calls. These tools typically look at:
- Call volume: Numbers making too many calls quickly look suspicious.
- User reports: People reporting spam calls often flag those numbers. If enough people flag a number, it will likely get flagged as high risk.
- Caller ID issues: Fake or changing caller IDs raise red flags.
Systems also use automated call labeling, AI, and real-time data analysis to improve accuracy. This process helps detect phishing scams, fraudulent calls, and other threats while minimizing errors.
How to tell if a number is a potential spam
It’s not always easy to know if you’re dealing with a spam call or a genuine caller. Scammers are crafty and frequently get new numbers, making it tough for phone carriers to keep up with them.
Spam calls may not get correctly flagged—and vice versa. Scams are always evolving, becoming more believable and realistic as they advance. This is why it’s important to stay aware of current scams.
Read more: 10 scams you should know about
Aside from keeping up-to-date with current scams, you can also get a fair idea something might be a scam by watching out for red flags. Here’s how to spot a spam call:
| Red flag | Description |
| Spam Risk” warning | If your phone shows this label, the call may be unsafe. |
| Unknown numbers | If you don’t know the number, be careful. |
| Weird caller ID | Scammers often use fake or incomplete caller IDs. |
| Robocalls | Pre-recorded messages offering “free” deals or threatening identity theft are scams. |
| Pressure tactics | Scammers may create a sense of urgency, claiming you must act immediately to avoid penalties, fines, or account lockouts. |
| Requests for personal or financial information | Be wary if the caller asks for sensitive details such as your Social Security Number, bank account, or passwords. Legitimate entities rarely request this over the phone. |
| Too good to be true offers | Calls promising free vacations, large sums of money, or other unrealistic deals are likely scams. |
| Unfamiliar area codes or international numbers | Numbers from unknown area codes or foreign countries can be a red flag. These are often used to bypass local regulations. |
| Call spoofing | Some scammers disguise their number to look like it’s from a trusted source, local numbers, or even your own phone number. |
| Repeated calls from the same number | If a number is calling you multiple times a day, it’s often a robocall or spam attempt. |
| Odd voicemail messages | Spam calls may leave voicemails with vague or generic greetings like, “This is an urgent message from the IRS.” These are rarely legitimate. |
| Inconsistencies in caller information | If the caller claims to represent a well-known company but cannot provide clear details about who they are or why they’re calling, it’s suspicious. |
| Background noise or poor quality | Scam calls often originate from noisy call centers or have poor audio quality, which can be a sign they’re not legitimate. |
| Generic greetings | Legitimate callers usually address you by name. A spammer might use broad phrases like “Dear customer” or “Hello, valued user.” |
How to block spam calls
If you’re getting a lot of unwanted calls, you might want to find a way to stop them from interrupting your day. In this section, we’ll show you how to block spam calls on iPhone and Android.
How to block “Spam Risk” calls on iPhone
You can enable the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature to stop numbers outside your contacts from calling. This setting will send the call directly to voicemail, silencing the call notifications. However, the numbers will still appear in your call history, which means you can call them back if you wish.
This setting silences calls from unknown callers and private numbers—regardless of whether it’s a spam call or just someone you haven’t saved as a contact.
Here’s how to silence unknown callers on iPhone:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on Phone.
- Toggle Silence Unknown Callers on.
How to block “Spam Risk” calls on Android
You can filter spam calls on Android using an app from the Google Play Store. To do this, you’ll need to install the “Phone by Google” app and set it as your default calling app. You can download this app from the Google Play Store.
Once you’ve installed the app on your Android, follow these steps:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Go to Apps.
- Tap Default apps.
- Under this section, choose Phone by Google as the default.
Once this is done, enable spam filtering by adjusting the app settings:
- Open the Phone by Google app.
- Tap the three-dot menu next to the search bar.
- Select Spam and call screen.
- Turn on See caller and spam ID.
- Switch on Filter spam calls.
If you wish to customize your filtering, Android phones have a feature called “Verified Calls.” This shows you information about who’s calling and why.
Here’s the difference between a regular call and a Verified Call screen.
Follow these simple steps to enable the “Verified Calls” setting. Just a heads-up, you’ll also need the Phone by Google app for this.
- Set the Phone by Google app as the default phone app.
- In the app, access Settings from the three-dot icon in the search bar.
- Next, tap on Spam and Call Screen.
- Scroll to Verified Calls and toggle it on.
- Lastly, select Yes I’m In.
Blocking spam risk calls on landline phones
If you’re in the U.S., a free and easy way to filter out telemarketers via your landline is to add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry via the website or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register.
You should receive fewer telemarketing calls within 31 days of registering. However, this method doesn’t filter scammers who get your mobile phone number through nefarious means or unscrupulous companies who ignore the registry.
What happens if you answer a “Spam Risk” call?
Answering a spam risk call can lead to several problems. Here’s what could happen:
- You may receive scam pitches: Scammers might try to trick you with offers of “free” prizes, fake investments, or fake warnings about your accounts. These scam calls often aim to steal your data and/or money.
- Risk of identity theft: Sharing personal details like your name, address, social security number, or financial information increases the chance of identity theft. Scammers can use this data for fraud or sell it to data brokers.
- More spam calls: Answering a spam call tells scammers your number is active. They may sell your number to other spam callers, leading to more unsolicited calls.
- Exposure to phishing scams: Many spam calls include phishing attempts where scammers pretend to be legitimate businesses. They might ask for sensitive information such as your passwords, bank details, or verification codes.
- Potential malware risks: Some scammers direct you to malicious websites or apps. These could contain malware, compromising your data security or stealing sensitive information on your mobile device.
Advanced tips to prevent spam calls
Stopping spam calls takes more than just ignoring unknown numbers. Here are six advanced steps to protect your phone, data, and privacy:
Use a VPN to protect your privacy
If you’re receiving a lot of unsolicited calls, it’s important to understand how the callers got your number in the first place. Not protecting your personal data makes it easier for data brokers and cybercriminals to access your contact information.
VPNs help safeguard your personal information against malicious actors by keeping your digital activity private. ExpressVPN encrypts your internet traffic, blocks trackers, and prevents DNS leaks. It’s compatible with all popular devices and a single subscription lets you connect up to 8 devices at once.
Avoid sharing your phone number online
It’s never a good idea to share your personal contact details publicly. Be careful where you share your phone number as the information may be harvested and sold to spam callers and scammers. Avoid entering your phone number into websites or applications unless absolutely necessary.
Register with the National Do Not Call Registry
If you live in the U.S., you can sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry to block telemarketing calls. It stops legitimate businesses from calling you without permission. If you’re outside the U.S., it’s worth calling your phone service provider to ask what you can do about preventing spam calls.
While it won’t completely block unsolicited calls, it greatly reduces them. If you still receive spam calls, you might want to consider reporting them to protect others.
Use call-blocking and screening apps
Download call-blocking apps like Truecaller or Whoscall from the App Store or Google Play. These apps detect spam calls, block scam numbers, and screen suspicious callers. Some apps even offer spam phone call detection and real-time alerts for potential spam or fraud risks.
Set up built-in call filtering on your device
Most phones now offer built-in tools to block spam calls. On iPhones, you can enable “Silence Unknown Callers” in settings. For Android devices, turn on spam protection under your phone settings. These features automatically filter unknown numbers, suspicious calls, and robocalls so they don’t interrupt you.
Block and report spam calls with carrier and government tools
Check if your carrier provides a service to mark calls as potential spam and block them automatically. These tools can save you from dealing with unwanted interruptions.
You can also report fraudulent calls to local authorities or consumer protection agencies in your region. Many countries have organizations dedicated to fighting phone scams. Reporting these calls improves spam detection systems and makes it harder for scammers to target others.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about spam risk calls
Why do I keep getting spam calls?
Your phone number might be in a spam caller database, leaked by data brokers, or shared online. Spammers use automated systems to dial large numbers of numbers. While carriers use spam detection algorithms to flag suspicious phone numbers, new scams frequently emerge. Avoid sharing your number and enabling call-blocking features to minimize spam-risk phone calls.
Should I ever answer spam risk?
It’s generally advised to avoid answering spam-risk calls. Simply answering the phone confirms to them that your number is active. They may use this as a reason to sell your phone number, which will result in you getting even more calls.
How can I report spam risk calls?
Report spam risk calls to your carrier or agencies like the FCC or FTC (if you’re in the U.S.). Use carrier tools like Verizon Call Filter to block and report fraudulent calls. Reporting helps enhance spam detection algorithms and protects society against phishing scams.
Are all spam calls dangerous?
Not all spam risk calls are scams—some may be harmless telemarketing. However, many are phishing scams aimed at stealing personal information. Use spam-blocking apps to filter both scam calls and potential spam calls. Always treat unknown calls with caution, especially those requesting sensitive information.
How do spammers get my number?
Spammers acquire a list of numbers from data brokers, online forms, or hacked databases. Numbers listed publicly or shared on unverified platforms are also vulnerable. To stop spam phone calls, protect your data security with a reliable VPN. This helps you prevent your phone number visibility, and avoid unnecessary online submissions.
How do I stop spam risk calls completely?
It is challenging to stop all spam-risk calls, but you can reduce them by using call-blocking apps, enabling spam-blocking features, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry. Learn how to block spam calls on iPhone or Android and avoid engaging with spam callers.
Why does my number show up as a spam risk?
If your number is marked spam risk, it might resemble patterns seen in suspicious phone numbers. High call volumes or unverified caller ID and spam filtering settings may cause this. Businesses should verify their numbers and improve call verification to avoid false flags.
Is answering a spam risk call dangerous?
Answering a spam risk call exposes you to phishing scams or attempts to steal personal information. Scammers may sell your active number to other spam callers, increasing spam phone calls. Tools like the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature can prevent such calls from reaching you.
How do spam risk calls differ from scam calls?
The difference between spam risk and scam likely lies in intent. Spam risk calls are flagged as potentially unwanted but may include telemarketing. Scam calls are malicious and often involve fraud or theft.
Why am I getting so many spam risk calls?
Frequent spam risk calls suggest your number is public or targeted. If your phone number is on a public database or sold by data brokers, you’ll get more spam calls. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to keep your contact details and protect your digital privacy with a VPN that blocks trackers and encrypts your internet traffic.
Should I ever answer spam risk?
It’s usually best to avoid answering spam risk calls, as they are flagged for potential fraud or unwanted solicitations. Answering such calls can confirm to spammers that your number is active, leading to more spam phone calls.
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Comments
Blocking all numbers not saved into contacts is completely different from blocking only all calls already automatically tagged with “Spam Risk.” Apple could easily add this feature since they’re already being tagged. Writing this sort of article and glossing over a major detail like that is part of the problem Greg, all due respect. Great respect level intended due to how killer your bio is, but come on man.
I agree with SH; I want to block calls labelled as “Spam Rick” not all that are not on my contact list! Since I do business all the time with people not on my contact list, blocking everybody not on my contact list would be business suicide! Come on Apple, forget developing more emojis and add an option to block calls you already identify as “Spam Rick”.
I agree it’d be great if they could automatically block spam calls. However, current systems rely on behavioral analytics to determine if a call is potentially spam. It’s essentially guesswork, so legitimate calls sometimes get marked as “Spam Risk,” too. This is probably why Apple and the other companies don’t blanket block “Spam Risk” calls.
A mí solo me llamaron tres días una sola vez.Y quiero que dejen de llamar a otras personas.
i want spam risk to stop calling my phone for good because i dont answer to them at all i want them block out all callers out now sing amy nagy
Main call nahin kar pa raha hun