February 18, 2026
FCC’s Latest NPRM Seeks to Reinforce Caller ID Authenticity
The FCC and leaders in the communications industry have spent years developing techniques to block unwanted robocalls. Despite those efforts, about 52.5 billion robocalls reached consumers in 2025. This alarming number is forcing the FCC to take yet another approach to protecting consumers.
The technology implemented through STIR/SHAKEN has laid a critical foundation for blocking robocalls and verifying caller ID authenticity. Now, the FCC plans to turn its attention to infrastructure providers in the United States. By holding them accountable, the government agency believes it can continue chipping away at the robocall problem.
FCC’s Proposed Change to Combat Robocalls
Most scam calls originate from overseas, putting them outside of the FCC’s enforcement jurisdiction. Since the FCC wants to reduce scam calls, it needs to create safeguards that provide greater transparency and security for U.S. consumers. Some proposed methods include:
Embracing Enhanced Caller IDs
When given the right information, consumers can make reasonable decisions about whether they should answer incoming calls. At a minimum, enhanced caller ID standards would require adding the verified names connected to all numbers. That way, consumers would know the names of people and businesses calling them.
Ideally, companies will take advantage of enhanced caller ID to provide even more information. For example, Verizon’s Branded Caller ID can display the caller’s:
- Name
- Logo
- Reason for calling
This approach improves security and encourages consumers to answer relevant calls.
Verification for Originating Service Providers
Holding originating service providers (OSPs) responsible for vetting every caller’s identity will improve authenticity and security, ensuring that consumers can trust the caller ID information they see.
Blocking Every Contact Point
Until recently, only terminating providers had to block numbers on the Do Not Originate (DNO) list. Since that approach has proven itself ineffective, the FCC wants to expand its call-blocking requirements to every touch point along a call’s path. That would mean all service providers — including originating and gateway service providers — must block all numbers on the DNO list.
Enhanced Targeting for International Robocalls
The vast majority of scam calls originate from overseas. It’s such a problem that a bipartisan group in Congress has put forth a new law, The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act, that would expand public and private efforts to block scam calls from outside the U.S.
The FCC also wants to ensure that American consumers know when calls originate from outside the country, giving individuals more information to help them decide whether to answer calls.
Improving the STIR/SHAKEN Framework
The STIR/SHAKEN framework has already helped improve telecommunications security in the U.S. Unfortunately, it hasn’t stopped all scam calls and robocalls. The FCC and telecom leaders, however, could build on the existing framework to enhance security and give consumers more information. With further regulations, service providers and consumers could take steps to avoid potentially malicious calls.
Tackling Neighbor Spoofing by Blocking Fake Area Codes
Neighbor spoofing isn’t illegal, but it’s a tactic many scammers use to break the law. Neighbor spoofing makes it look like calls are local even when they come from distant areas. When used legally, call centers might spoof your area code to improve answer rates and benefit customers.
It’s illegal to use neighbor spoofing for malicious reasons. STIR/SHAKEN helps combat this, but it’s only effective when calls originate within the U.S. Since most scam calls come from other countries, STIR/SHAKEN doesn’t solve this issue.
Regulators want to find a fair approach to stopping malicious neighbor spoofing without interfering with legitimate businesses. It will take some time to iron out the details, but blocking fake area codes would make it much harder for scammers to target American consumers. Legislators and regulators are already working toward rules that would regulate neighbor spoofing.
How Does Caller ID Authenticity Impact Businesses?
Some legitimate contact centers use overseas agents for valid reasons, such as lowering their operating costs or offering 24/7 customer service. The latest proposals could affect those businesses as well as scammers trying to take advantage of consumers.
The FCC will take necessary steps to protect Americans while considering the needs of legitimate companies. Still, it’s always possible that your phone numbers will get flagged or blocked when you use overseas agents. Falling short of expectations could also mean the FCC fines your business.
Taking control of your caller ID authenticity and reputation now puts you in a good position for when the FCC starts enforcing new regulations.
Caller ID Reputation’s cloud-based solutions give you insight into all of your numbers. With Caller ID Reputation, you get real screenshots from mobile devices connected to popular service providers, letting you see what your customers’ caller ID screens display. If your numbers get flagged or labeled, our remediation experts can resolve the problem quickly.
Want to learn more about how Caller ID Reputation can help you connect with customers and stay ahead of regulations? Contact our team now.
