TL;DR
Quick Answer
TL;DR
Key Facts
- A-Level Attestation: Confirms that the originating provider knows the caller and has verified the caller's right to use the phone number.
- STIR/SHAKEN authentication: Verifies caller ID information and helps reduce illegal spoofing but does not determine caller reputation.
- Call analytics: Spam and scam labels are generally generated through reputation and analytics systems that operate independently of STIR/SHAKEN.
- Reputation signals: Consumer complaints, calling patterns, call volume, and historical number behavior may influence labeling decisions.
- Different trust signals: Authentication evaluates caller ID integrity, while analytics evaluate call reputation and behavior.
- Authenticated calls can still be labeled: Calls with A-Level Attestation may still display Spam or Scam labels if analytics systems identify elevated risk.
- Authentication is not deliverability: Caller authentication can improve trust and traceability but does not guarantee answer rates, call completion, or removal of spam labels.
Does A-Level Attestation Prevent Spam Labels?
No. A-Level Attestation does not guarantee that a call will not be marked as spam.
Under Secure Telephone Identity Revisited and Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs (STIR/SHAKEN), A-Level Attestation represents the highest level of confidence that the originating provider knows the caller and has verified the caller's right to use the telephone number being displayed.
However, STIR/SHAKEN was designed to authenticate caller ID information and help prevent illegal spoofing. It was not designed to determine whether a call is wanted, unwanted, or likely to be perceived as spam.
Spam labels are generally applied through separate reputation and analytics systems that evaluate calling behavior, complaint activity, and other risk indicators. Because call authentication and call reputation address different questions, a fully authenticated call can still receive a Spam, Scam, or Potential Spam label.
For businesses, this means STIR/SHAKEN authentication is important, but it should not be viewed as a complete solution for call labeling or call answer-rate challenges.
How It Works
How Does A-Level Attestation Work?
STIR/SHAKEN allows originating providers to digitally sign calls before they enter the voice network.
An A-Level Attestation indicates that:
- The provider knows the customer placing the call.
- The provider has authenticated the customer's identity.
- The provider has confirmed the customer's right to use the calling number.
As calls move through the network, downstream providers can verify that authentication information to determine whether the caller ID is likely legitimate and has not been spoofed.
How Do Spam Labels Work?
Spam labels are generally generated through call analytics and reputation systems that operate separately from STIR/SHAKEN authentication.
These systems may evaluate:
- Consumer complaints
- Historical number reputation
- Calling frequency
- Call volume patterns
- Dialing behavior
- Scam indicators
- Other behavioral signals associated with unwanted calling activity.
The goal of these analytics systems is to estimate whether a call is likely wanted or unwanted by the recipient.
Why Can an Authenticated Call Still Be Labeled as Spam?
A-Level Attestation and reputation analytics answer different questions:
- A-Level Attestation: Is the caller authorized to use this phone number?
- Call analytics: Is this call likely wanted by the recipient?
Because those questions are different, a call can pass STIR/SHAKEN authentication and still receive a spam label if analytics systems identify negative reputation or behavioral signals.
Why This Matters
Why Doesn't A-Level Attestation Guarantee Better Answer Rates?
Many organizations assume that obtaining A-Level Attestation will automatically resolve spam labeling issues and improve call answer rates.
In reality, authentication and reputation are separate trust mechanisms. A business may successfully authenticate its calls while still experiencing spam labels if analytics providers identify risk signals associated with the calling number or calling behavior.
This distinction is important because organizations that focus only on STIR/SHAKEN implementation may overlook other factors affecting call performance.
Why Should Businesses Monitor Call Reputation?
Authentication verifies caller identity information, but reputation affects how calls are ultimately presented to recipients.
Businesses should monitor:
- Phone number reputation
- Spam label activity
- Consumer complaints
- Calling patterns
- Number performance over time
Managing reputation alongside authentication can help organizations better understand why calls may be labeled and where remediation efforts should be focused.
What Is the Best Approach?
The most effective approach combines multiple trust signals:
- STIR/SHAKEN authentication
- Verified business identity
- Responsible dialing practices
- Reputation monitoring
- Spam-label remediation when necessary
- Consistent number management
Authentication helps establish that a caller is authorized to use a number. Reputation analytics help determine how that caller is evaluated by carriers, analytics providers, and recipients. Both play an important role in successful call delivery and communications trust.
Common Questions
Can calls with A-Level Attestation still be labeled as spam?
Yes. Calls with A-Level Attestation can still receive Spam or Scam labels if analytics platforms identify negative reputation or behavioral signals.
Does STIR/SHAKEN remove spam labels?
No. STIR/SHAKEN authenticates caller ID information but does not control how analytics providers or carriers label calls.
Does A-Level Attestation improve caller reputation?
A-Level Attestation may contribute to broader trust signals, but it does not automatically improve reputation scores or remove existing spam labels.
What is more important: attestation or reputation?
Both are important because they address different risks. Attestation supports caller ID authentication, while reputation influences how calls are evaluated and displayed.
Can legitimate businesses receive spam labels?
Yes. Even legitimate businesses with authenticated calls may receive spam labels based on reputation analytics, complaint activity, or calling patterns.
Our platform empowers organizations to manage branded calling, improve caller id reputation, and stay compliant with evolving regulatory and industry standards. FAQs and Glossary terms like this are designed to provide clear, actionable guidance backed by our expertise in verified identity, call labeling mitigation, and spam prevention.
To explore how Numeracle supports trusted and effective outbound communications, visit www.numeracle.com.
