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What are potential spam calls & how to block them
In an effort to combat spam calls, phone carriers have developed systems to label suspicious calls as “potential spam” or similar warnings.
In this guide you’ll discover what “potential spam” calls are, how carriers identify them, and the various methods you can use to block these calls on both iPhone and Android devices.
Updated on: 30 September, 2026
What are potential spam calls? (& how to block them)
What is a “potential spam” call?
“Potential spam calls” are calls flagged as potentially fraudulent. Verizon assigns the “Potential Spam” label when a caller ID is suspected of being spam—either because the number has been reported or due to patterns typical of spam campaigns.
Every major US carrier runs its own version of this system, and each one uses different wording. Here’s what the labels mean:
| On-screen label | Who shows it |
| “Potential Spam” | Verizon, T-Mobile, Frontier |
| “Spam Risk” / “Fraud Risk” | AT&T |
| “Scam Likely” / “Nuisance Likely” | T-Mobile |
| “SPAM?” | Verizon home phone lines |
T-Mobile splits the two: “Potential Spam” marks an unwanted sales or solicitation call, while “Scam Likely” marks a call the network believes is fraudulent.
All of these labels come from the carrier’s own network analysis—risk scores, calling patterns, and reports from other customers—not from anything on your phone. A number can be flagged one week and clear the next, depending on how its calling pattern changes.
How to block potential spam calls?
iOS and Android have helpful features that block incoming calls from numbers that aren’t on your contact list. Although not explicitly designed to block “potential spam” calls, this feature will filter out calls based on your contact list.
The exact steps differ from phone to phone. Our main guide to stopping spam calls has them in full:
- Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone
- Block spam calls on Android
- Block an individual contact permanently
Related: How to block calls from private numbers
Use the spam-filter features offered by your carrier
All three major US carriers now include basic spam labeling and blocking at no cost, with paid tiers for the extras. Check with your carrier about which options they offer. Below, we list spam-call protection features provided by the top three US carriers.
Scam Shield from T-Mobile
T-Mobile’s Scam Shield is a comprehensive set of tools that claims to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to protect customers from unwanted calls, scams, and robocalls. The service can block spam calls automatically and provides enhanced caller ID. The free tier labels suspected scam calls and can stop them before your phone rings—dial #662# to turn blocking on. Settings now sit in the T-Life app, and a paid Premium tier adds category blocking, reverse number lookup, and voicemail-to-text.
Call Filter from Verizon
Verizon’s Call Filter is designed to help customers identify and block spam calls, robocalls, and potential fraudsters. It offers several features to enhance call security, including spam detection, spam filter, spam risk meter, and the ability to report spam numbers. The free version covers spam detection and sends high-risk calls to voicemail. Caller ID, personal block lists, and the risk meter need Call Filter Plus, at $3.99 a month per line. Verizon has said Call Filter is moving into its Verizon Protect service.
ActiveArmor from AT&T (formerly Call Protect)
Reporting spam phone calls is a great way to prevent them from calling you again. But even if you do, you’ll inevitably continue receiving spam from other phone numbers. There are two ways to help you thwart future large-scale spam campaigns. You can report a number inside your carrier’s app, and file a complaint with the FTC at donotcall.gov/report.
Report spam and prevent it from happening
Reporting spam phone calls is a great way to prevent them from calling you again. But even if you do, you’ll inevitably continue receiving spam from other phone numbers. There are two ways to help you thwart future long-term spam attempts.
Register with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Do Not Call Registry
While it won’t be effective for scam calls, you can reduce spam by registering your phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry. It’s a free service and will reduce the number of spam calls you receive, as telemarketers are legally required to comply.
Remove your personal information from the internet
Spammers get your number from online sources. Even if you didn’t share it on social media, it can still end up on people search sites. Remove your personal info from the internet to cut down on spam and scam calls.
There’s a second benefit. Carriers score numbers partly on complaint volume and calling patterns, so a number that spammers have used as a fake caller ID can end up labeled as “potential spam” through no fault of its owner. The fewer lists your number sits on, the smaller the chance it gets used that way.
Another option is to use a removal service like Incogni. We’ll send data-removal requests on your behalf to the 420+ data brokers we cover, saving you hundreds of hours. Our yearly plan helps ensure your personal information doesn’t make its way back onto broker lists after it’s removed.
What to do if you answer a “potential spam” call
It’s best not to answer incoming calls with the caller ID labeled as “potential spam.” Let these calls go to voicemail to avoid any risk of fraud.
If you do pick up a phone call despite the spam warning, don’t speak. Wait for them to talk first instead. If you answer with “yes,” scammers may argue you gave consent for them to act on your behalf or agreed to something you didn’t intend to.
Once you realize you answered a spam or scam call, hang up and block the number using your phone settings.
Related content
- How to block private numbers
- How to find the number behind “no caller ID”
- “I got a call from myself”: scam alert!
- How to call privately on iPhone: 4 easy methods
- “No caller ID” vs “Unknown caller” and how to stop anonymous calls
- What is Dynata? Why are they calling?
- How to block a number on a landline
- How to stop spam robocalls
- Why are you getting so many spam calls all of a sudden?
- How to stop Medicare calls?
FAQ
How does the iPhone know potential spam?
The incoming caller is identified by your phone carrier rather than your device. Carriers use registers and algorithms to mark calls as potential spam. This information is displayed on your phone as “spam risk,” “potential spam,” or “scam likely,” depending on your carrier.
Why is my number marked as “potential spam?”
Your number could be marked as potential spam because someone has reported it to the phone carrier or because your calling pattern looks suspicious (e.g., you make very frequent and short calls). Contact your carrier if you believe your number has been mislabeled.
Does potential spam mean spam?
There’s a good chance that numbers flagged as “potential spam” are spam. However, the system carriers use to identify spam isn’t perfect, and some calls identified as “potential spam” are legitimate.
