The “Spam Risk” warning on your phone is not only annoying, but it is also a warning that the caller may be a telemarketer, robocaller, or even a scammer. These calls can disrupt your work and potentially lead to loss of information and finances. Understanding the meaning of this warning label will help you proactively control who can contact you.
So what is “Spam Risk”?
This is a warning displayed by your carrier or call blocking application when the phone number shows signs of being suspicious. It can be an excessive sales call, an automated recorded message, or a scammer trying to steal data. Each carrier uses a different display, for example AT&T says “Spam Risk”, T-Mobile uses “Scam Likely”, and Verizon also reports “Spam Risk”. Although the names are different, the purpose is to help users be aware of unwanted calls.
Why is this warning there?
Carrier spam detection systems rely on artificial intelligence and user feedback to analyze call behavior. If a phone number is found to be behaving unusually, such as calling thousands of numbers in a short period of time or spoofing a local number, it is quickly labeled as a “Spam Risk.”
This label is usually accurate, but sometimes it is misleading. Some legitimate calls, especially from businesses that make frequent outbound calls, can still be flagged. However, carriers are constantly improving their systems to reduce this problem.
If you receive a lot of spam calls, your phone number may have been leaked or is in a database that is being sold by scammers. Even if you only pick up the phone once, you are inadvertently confirming that the number is active, putting it on a scammer’s target list.

Data Leaks & Dark Web: Personal information, including phone numbers, may be sold after data breaches.

Public Sources: Numbers shared on social media, websites, contact lists, etc. may be collected.

Automated Calls: Bad guys use random number generators and make mass calls.

Why are numbers labeled as “spam risk”?
Calling many times in a short period of time, or calling unknown numbers frequently.

Numbers that once belonged to someone else are reported as spam.

The recipient did not save the number and reported it by mistake.

Should you answer a spam call?
Don’t: When you pick up, the scammer knows your number is active.

More dangerous: You may be tricked into revealing information or have your voice recorded for impersonation.

Rare Exception: If you are waiting for a call from a company/hospital but it is mislabeled, let them go to voicemail and call back.

How to identify and block spam
Carriers: Use AI and STIR/SHAKEN technology to detect spoofed numbers.

Spam blocking apps: Based on community reports, reverse number lookups, AI analysis.

Phones:

iPhone: Turn on Mute Unknown Callers in Settings > Phone.

Android: Turn on Block/Spam Call Protection in the Phone app.

How to block spam calls on iPhone
1. Turn on Mute Unknown Callers
Go to Settings > Phone

Select Mute Unknown Callers and turn on the switch.

2. Use Call Blocking & Identification
Go to Settings > Phone

Select Call Blocking & Identification to manage the anti-spam apps you have installed.

3. Manually block a number
Open the Phone app > Recents tab

Find the number you want to block, tap the i icon > select Block this caller > Confirm.

How to block spam calls on Android

1. Enable anti-spam in the Phone app

Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu > Settings

Go to Caller ID & spam protection

Turn on Caller ID & spam protection, then select Block spam & scam calls > Block all.

2. Manually block spam numbers
Open the Phone app > Recent calls list

Select the number you want to block > tap Details/Info (i) > select Block number.

How to block spam calls & protect phone numbers
1. Block spam numbers directly on Android
Open Call log, long press on unknown number.

Select Block / Report spam.

Tick “Report as spam” (if desired) and confirm Block.

2. Use a call blocking app
Download apps like Truecaller, Hiya, RoboKiller (App Store or Google Play). These apps have a large database of spam numbers, automatically identify & block.
3. Block spam calls on landlines
If you use VoIP, ask your carrier about spam blocking services (e.g. Nomorobo).

Traditional landlines can use the *60 code (manual blocking) or install a call blocking device to filter spam numbers.

Advanced tips to reduce spam from the start
Protect your privacy with a VPN
A VPN encrypts your internet connection, hides your IP and personal data, and reduces the risk of your phone number being exposed when using public networks.

Limit sharing your phone number
Do not post it publicly on social networks.

Use a secondary number (Google Voice, eSIM…) when registering for the service.

Register for “Do Not Call” (DNC – if in the US)
Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce calls from legitimate advertisers.

Install an advanced spam filtering app

Truecaller, Nomorobo, Hiya… continuously update spam numbers, helping to block them in real time.
Reporting Spam Calls
After being spammed, you should report it to your carrier or regulator (FTC/FCC in the US). This helps improve the blocking system for the community.
Canada: Report at lntte-dncl.gc.ca (CRTC).
UK: Forward spam to 7726 and log calls at ico.org.uk.
Australia: Report scam calls at scamwatch.gov.au (ACMA).
Singapore: Add your number to the DNC Register and report violations at pdpc.gov.sg.
Elsewhere: Search for “[your country] unwanted call regulator” to find the appropriate portal; most accept online reports.