Numeracle purple spoke. Copyright 2023.
Countdown Timer showing days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining
Get Your Lowest Price on Number Rep Management!
Take advantage of our end of year promos today!
Request Promo pricing
Resources
Stir/Shaken

What Is STIR/SHAKEN?
Resources & Guidance on the FCC’s Call Authentication Framework

STIR/SHAKEN is a framework developed by the FCC to combat illegal robocalls by verifying the caller’s identity. On this page, you’ll find expert guides, regulatory updates, FAQs, and practical implementation tips to help your organization stay compliant and protect call reputation.
Get Started
Learn More
MacBook mockup

Why STIR/SHAKEN Compliance Matters for Your Business

Why STIR/SHAKEN was Mandated

To reduce the volume of illegal robocalls and caller ID spoofing, the FCC mandated STIR/SHAKEN as an industry-wide authentication standard. This framework verifies the identity of the caller at the point of origination, ensuring traceability and accountability across all carriers. It also supports law enforcement efforts through the Industry Traceback Group.

How STIR/SHAKEN Affects You

The FCC requires voice service providers to either implement STIR/SHAKEN or register an alternative robocall mitigation plan. If not, your domestic voice traffic may be blocked. Inclusion in the Robocall Mitigation Database is essential for maintaining call deliverability.

‍Learn More About STIR/SHAKEN

What Is STIR/SHAKEN and Why Does It Matter?

STIR/SHAKEN is a caller ID authentication framework designed to reduce illegal robocalls and call spoofing. It assigns a digital certificate of authenticity to each call as it moves through the telecom network, making call origins traceable and secure.
‍
STIR: Secure Telephone Identity Revisited
SHAKEN: Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information using toKENs

What Are Attestation Levels in STIR/SHAKEN?

Originating providers must “attest” to the legitimacy of a call by signing it with a specific trust level based on their relationship with the caller and the call’s origin. These attestation levels are:

Full Attestation (A) – Known customer using known number
Partial Attestation (B) – Known customer, unknown number
‍Gateway Attestation (C) – Unknown customer or number

Note: These levels don’t guarantee call approval. Carriers and analytics engines may still flag or block suspicious calls regardless of attestation level.

What Is the Green Checkmark and How Do You Get It?

Some devices display a green or gray checkmark if the call passes authentication:

Android: Green checkmark for verified calls
iOS: Gray checkmark in the call log

This visual indicator shows that the call was authenticated under STIR/SHAKEN. However, the display depends on the carrier’s participation and the device’s technical capability.

Numeracle supports the delegated certificate model and can help ensure proper attestation flow once the standards body fully adopts the implementation.
Enterprise STIR/SHAKEN Gif

[A] Full Attestation

source of call + Right to use caller id info
Attestation A

[B] Partial Attestation

source of call + No Right to use caller id info
Attestation B

[C] Gateway Attestation

No known source of call + No Right to use caller id info
Attestation C
iOS Call log screenshot
Robocall Mitigation Database graphic

What Is the Robocall Mitigation Database?

The Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) is a centralized compliance tool created by the FCC to support the STIR/SHAKEN call authentication mandate. All voice service providers (VSPs) operating in the U.S. must file in the database to legally originate or carry calls.

Key Requirement for Providers

Mandatory Filing:

Every voice service provider — including those using STIR/SHAKEN or an alternative plan — must submit a mitigation plan to the RMD.

Mitigation Plan Details:

Providers must describe how they prevent unlawful robocalls. This includes technical solutions, analytics, traceback participation, and authentication procedures.

What's in a Mitigation Plan? A plan might include STIR/SHAKEN attestation practices, caller ID vetting processes, and participation in traceback protocols.

Enforcement Risk:

Providers that fail to file risk having their domestic call traffic blocked by downstream carriers.

Reputation Implications:

Incomplete or vague filings may erode trust with carriers, enterprises, and analytics engines.

Who’s Responsible for STIR/SHAKEN Verified Calls?

Enterprises, BPOs, and Call Centers

If you're a business that places outbound calls — like a call center, BPO, or enterprise brand — you don’t directly implement STIR/SHAKEN. Instead, your voice service provider (VSP) is responsible for authenticating your calls on your behalf.

However, your ability to display Caller Verified indicators (e.g., green checkmarks or branded caller ID) still depends on:

  • The quality of your VSP’s attestation process
  • How well your identity and phone numbers are verified
  • Whether your VSP has filed a Robocall Mitigation Plan with the FCC

Learn how Numeracle helps enterprises display verified calls

‍

Voice Service Providers (VSPs)

As a VSP, you're on the front lines of STIR/SHAKEN compliance. You must:

  • Authenticate all originating calls
  • Know who is placing the calls via KYC (Know Your Customer) methodologies
  • Vet enterprise clients and any intermediary partners
  • Ensure traceability from call origination to termination

Failing to properly identify the calling entity or ensure attestation integrity can result in blocked calls, lower delivery rates, or reputational damage.

‍

Discover how Numeracle enables trusted call delivery for providers

STIR/SHAKEN graphic - caller identity

Leading the Future of Caller Identity and Trust

Numeracle’s Proven Track Record in Telecom Innovation

Numeracle, alongside Comcast, Twilio, Everbridge, and NetNumber, made telecom history by completing the first-ever telephone call powered by authenticated Caller ID and Rich Call Data (RCD) using the STIR/SHAKEN framework.

‍

This pioneering proof-of-concept used RCD PASSporT technology to:

  • Showcase how verified calls appear across devices
  • Demonstrate compliance with the FCC’s TRACED Act
  • Lay the groundwork for trusted enterprise calling at scale

Read the original press release from BusinessWire

Proof of Concept including Numeracle, NetNumber, Comcast, Twilio and Everbridge to present RCD data for branded calling solutions

STIR/SHAKEN Compliance Starts with Verified Identity:
How Numeracle Leads the Way

An Advocate for Enterprise Callers

Numeracle ensures that the voice of the enterprise is represented in the national STIR/SHAKEN discussion. We actively contribute as part of the IP-NNI Task Force (co-authors of SHAKEN standards) and Chair the PACE Communication Protection Coalition, giving enterprise callers a voice in telecom policy and call authentication rules.

Championing Legal Callers & Calls

Numeracle was the first to advocate for technologies that protect and elevate legal call originators within the STIR/SHAKEN ecosystem. We’ve shaped industry standards from day one and remain committed to solving the complexities of compliant enterprise calling.

Industry Service & Education

Education is at the heart of our mission. We provide regular updates, webinars, and custom training for enterprises and service providers navigating STIR/SHAKEN. Have questions or need help explaining the framework to your team? Let us know.

Navigating Complexities

Enterprise call traffic often passes through layers of intermediaries — CX platforms, BPOs, dialers, and more. These layers make it difficult to prove call origin and identity. Numeracle maps these relationships to ensure your calls are trusted from end to end.

Bridging The Gap

STIR/SHAKEN requires linking call origination back to an authenticated identity. We do this by verifying each entity’s right to use specific numbers. Whether you're a call center vendor, a telecom carrier, or the enterprise itself, you can start the process by becoming a verified entity.

Protecting Identity

Verifying who has the authority to originate calls is complex in a multi-layered call environment. At Numeracle, we empower the enterprise — the ultimate source — to claim their number usage rights and protect their reputation across the network.

STIR/SHAKEN BLogs & Resources

Will My Calls Be Blocked on July 1st? Understanding the STIR/SHAKEN Deadline and Robocall Compliance

With the June 30th STIR/SHAKEN deadline here, here’s what it means for call delivery, enterprise attestation, and robocall mitigation requirements.
Read More

Robocall Mitigation Plans: What Providers Need to Know

With the deadline approaching, here's what providers need to know about registering a Robocall Mitigation Plan with the FCC — and why it matters for STIR/SHAKEN.
Read More

Numeracle’s STIR/SHAKEN Implementation Report: Where the Industry Stands

What the Robocall Mitigation Database Reveals About Industry Readiness Before the Deadline
Read More

STIR/SHAKEN FAQ's

Explore answers to the most common questions about STIR/SHAKEN, caller ID verification, and robocall mitigation.

My carrier completed STIR/SHAKEN. Why are my calls still labeled as Spam or Scam?

STIR/SHAKEN only authenticates the identity of the calling party, it does not determine whether a call is spam, scam, or unwanted. The labeling you're seeing is driven by third-party call analytics at the carrier level, not by STIR/SHAKEN itself.

These analytics have been in use since 2017 and assign labels like “Spam Likely,” “Scam,” or “Fraud Alert” based on calling behavior, volume, and consumer feedback, regardless of STIR/SHAKEN compliance.

Bottom line: Even if your number is authenticated, your calls can still be mislabeled due to call reputation algorithms, not a STIR/SHAKEN failure.

Numeracle can help: We offer solutions to clean up number reputation and address mislabeling issues that impact your deliverability and brand trust.

Will STIR/SHAKEN stop all robocalls?

No — STIR/SHAKEN is not designed to eliminate all robocalls. It helps validate the identity of the caller but cannot assess the intent of the call.

That means while STIR/SHAKEN can confirm a call is from a real business or phone number, it can’t determine whether the content of the message is useful or harmful. Legitimate businesses still rely on automated calls for reminders, notifications, and updates.

Additionally, bad actors can still exploit gaps in the system, especially outside the U.S. or through non-participating providers.

✅ STIR/SHAKEN helps:

- Prevent spoofed calls
- Authenticate caller identity
- Increase accountability for call originators

🚫 STIR/SHAKEN does not:
‍
- Block or label calls as scam/spam
- Detect fraudulent content
- Replace the need for call reputation management

What does "calls with a checkmark have been verified by the carrier" mean?

When you see a checkmark icon during a call or in your call log, it means the number has been authenticated via STIR/SHAKEN. This symbol indicates that the caller’s identity has been verified as legitimate and the number has not been spoofed.

It’s a visual signal that the call was originated from a verified source, giving consumers greater confidence in answering.

Keep in mind: This verification doesn't mean the call content is safe or relevant, only that the caller’s identity has been authenticated and hasn’t been faked.

Will Numeracle’s platform manage STIR/SHAKEN for me?

While Numeracle’s platform does not directly attest or sign calls, it enables service providers and platforms to implement policy-based solutions for managing STIR/SHAKEN compliance.

Numeracle helps:

- Verify calling identities
- Authorize phone numbers
- Build enterprise trust for outbound calls
- Elevate your brand into the STIR/SHAKEN framework

Whether you’re a service provider or an enterprise, our platform supports a compliant identity verification process to keep you aligned with FCC requirements and industry standards.

How does Numeracle price their services?

Numeracle pricing is tailored to your unique calling structure. Factors that influence pricing include:

- Number of brands or entities you represent
- Number of phone numbers in use
- Frequency and volume of outbound calls

We offer scalable pricing for services like Number Reputation Management and Branded Calling Solutions.

Interested in branded calling or number protection? Reach out to start a conversation with our team for a custom quote.
It starts with an insight
Ready to take control of how your identity is presented to consumers? 
Are you curious about how your calls are being labeled? Maybe you know you have a problem and don't know where to start?

Contact us today and take the first step towards high quality and trusted connections.
Get STarted