Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. The information provided about STIR/SHAKEN, caller authentication, and compliance is not legal advice and should not be interpreted as guaranteeing legal validity or compliance. Always consult a qualified legal or telecom professional before implementing any compliance measures.
Key Takeaways
- Caller verification isn’t just about compliance—it’s how your business builds trust and boosts answer rates.
- Attestation levels determine whether your calls are seen as verified or flagged before they ever connect.
- With BatchDialer’s verified calling, reputation monitoring, and compliance tools, you can call confidently and stay ahead in 2025’s competitive calling landscape
If you’ve ever wondered why your legitimate business calls sometimes get marked as spam or why customers hesitate to answer unknown numbers, the answer often lies in caller authentication. That’s exactly what STIR/SHAKEN was built to fix.
STIR/SHAKEN is an industry-developed protocol designed to combat illegal call spoofing and reduce robocalls by verifying a caller’s identity. It’s a key part of branded calling, giving businesses a secure way to ensure their calls are trusted and compliant.
What Is STIR/SHAKEN?
STIR stands for Secure Telephony Identity Revisited, a set of technical standards created to confirm that a caller is authorized to use a specific phone number.
SHAKEN, or Signature-Based Handling of Asserted Information using Tokens, provides the governance framework for implementing STIR across IP-based networks.
Together, STIR/SHAKEN ensures every legitimate call carries a digital signature that verifies its authenticity. When a call travels through multiple carriers, this digital signature helps the recipient’s phone company confirm that the number displayed on the Caller ID is real, not spoofed or manipulated.
Why It Matters: Compliance and the TRACED Act
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made STIR/SHAKEN mandatory for all U.S. communications service providers (CSPs) under the TRACED Act, which took effect on June 30, 2021.
This federal mandate was designed to protect consumers from scams, fraud, and robocalls by establishing a “chain of trust” across every call path, from the originating provider to the recipient’s carrier.
For businesses that rely on outbound calling, using a dialer with STIR/SHAKEN support ensures:
- Calls are authenticated before they reach the recipient’s carrier
- Your business stays compliant with federal requirements
- Your caller ID is protected from misuse or spoofing
How does STIR/SHAKEN Protocol Work
Here’s a simplified look at how the process unfolds behind the scenes:
- Call Origination: When a call is placed, the originating service provider (OSP) requests a digital token that proves the phone number is valid and linked to the authorized caller.
- Certificate Authority Verification: The token is verified by a trusted certificate authority (CA) that issues a digital certificate to the provider.
- Call Signing: Using this certificate, the OSP attaches a digital signature to the call.
- Call Delivery: As the call passes through carrier networks, the recipient’s provider validates the signature and assigns a trust rating based on the level of verification received.
If everything checks out, the recipient’s phone may even show a “Verified Caller” label, which builds immediate trust and improves answer rates.
What are Attestation Levels in Caller ID
Under STIR/SHAKEN, every call receives an attestation level A, B, or C depending on how confidently the originating provider can verify the caller’s identity and number ownership.
These levels directly affect whether your calls get through cleanly or risk being marked as spam.
A. Full Attestation
“This is my customer, and I gave them this number.”
- The provider originates the call on its IP network.
- The caller’s identity is authenticated.
- The provider confirms the caller is authorized to use that number.
Result: Highest trust rating. The least chance of being flagged or blocked.
B. Partial Attestation
“This is my customer, but I didn’t assign this number.”
- The provider knows the customer’s identity.
- However, they cannot confirm the number’s ownership.
Result: Moderate trust rating. May appear as “Unknown” or risk lower answer rates.
C. Gateway Attestation
“This call originated outside my network.”
- The provider can’t verify the caller’s identity or number ownership.
- Common with international gateways.
Result: Lowest trust rating. High likelihood of being filtered, flagged, or blocked.
For outbound sales teams, achieving A-level attestation is critical, as it signals to carriers and consumers that your calls are legitimate. Lower attestation levels increase the risk of your calls being mislabeled as spam.
How BatchDialer Helps You Stay Verified and Compliant
For businesses that rely on outbound calling, achieving full attestation and maintaining trusted numbers isn’t optional; it’s essential. That’s where BatchDialer comes in. It integrates with telecom providers that support STIR/SHAKEN verification, helping ensure your calls are signed, authenticated, and trusted from the moment you dial.
Combined with BatchDialer’s other advanced tools, like Smart Local Presence, number reputation monitoring, and AI-powered call analytics, you get a complete solution for:
- Protecting your brand identity
- Staying FCC-compliant
- Boosting contact rates and call efficiency
With BatchDialer, you can call confidently knowing your outreach is legitimate, compliant, and far less likely to be flagged as spam.
Sign up for a 7-Day Free Trial Today!
Final Thoughts
STIR/SHAKEN has quickly become the cornerstone of trusted outbound communication. Verifying every call and preventing spoofing helps businesses protect their reputation, maintain FCC compliance, and reach more leads without being flagged as spam. Fast forward to 2025 with a highly competitive calling environment, verified caller IDs aren’t just about compliance, they’re about earning confidence and driving meaningful conversations.
Take control of your call reputation and ensure your numbers stay trusted. Check your phone numbers for spam labels or start verified calling today with a platform built for compliance, performance, and trust.
FAQs
What is STIR/SHAKEN in simple terms?
STIR/SHAKEN is a call authentication framework that verifies a caller’s identity and prevents phone number spoofing. It ensures your business calls are trusted, reducing the chances of being marked as spam or “Scam Likely.”
What do attestation levels mean?
Calls are graded A, B, or C depending on how confidently your provider can verify your identity and number ownership. Level A has the highest trust and the best chance of reaching your contact.
How can my team keep calls compliant?
Use a dialer that supports verified calling standards and FCC regulations. It protects your brand reputation, ensures compliance, and prevents your calls from being mislabeled as spam.
How can I check if my phone numbers are marked as spam?
You can use BatchDialer’s Number Reputation Check Tool to see if your caller IDs are flagged. Regular monitoring and STIR/SHAKEN-enabled dialing help keep your numbers clean and improve answer rates.
Why are my business calls getting flagged as spam?
Carriers flag calls that lack proper verification or appear suspicious. Even legitimate businesses can get caught in spam filters if their numbers aren’t authenticated. Verified caller frameworks help ensure your calls are recognized as trustworthy.
How can my sales team make sure every call looks legitimate?
Use a dialer that works with compliant telecom providers, monitors number reputation, and supports digital call authentication. It’s the most reliable way to prevent spam labels and keep your outbound efforts FCC-compliant.
