5 Smart Ways to Protect Your VoIP Phone Number from Spam & Scammers
VoIP phone systems offer flexibility, mobility, and crystal-clear calling. They are also more secure than your typical landline due to STIR/SHAKEN certificates and Business Branded Calling. However, it can still be vulnerable to spam calls, scams, and unwanted interruptions. While no solution can block every suspicious call, taking a proactive approach can significantly reduce the risk.
Before we dive into our tips, here’s one free tool worth using:
The National Do Not Call Registry (https://www.donotcall.gov/) This website will allow you to opt out of telemarketing calls. It won’t stop scammers completely, since they rarely follow the rules, but it does reduce legitimate sales calls and gives you a good baseline of protection.
From there, here are five practical ways to keep your VoIP phone number safer and more secure.
1. Use Your Provider’s Built-In Call Blocking Features
A lot of VoIP services include tools like spam filtering, call blocking, or “anonymous caller rejection.” Enabling these features can automatically screen out many unwanted calls before your phone ever rings. If your provider offers advanced protection (like reputation scoring or AI-powered spam detection), make sure it’s turned on.
It is important to note, that NCWCOM currently only offers call screening for our residential customers.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on Your VoIP Account
Your biggest risk isn’t just spam calls, it’s someone gaining access to your VoIP account. By enabling 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication), you add an extra layer of protection that makes it much harder for scammers to spoof, port, or hijack your number. 2FA is an extra security layer requiring two different types of proof to access an account, like your password (something you know) and a code from your phone (something you have), making it much harder for hackers to get in even if they steal your password
You should be able to setup 2FA on your VoIP service portal.
3. Avoid Using Your VoIP Number for Online Sign-Ups
Every time you enter your phone number on a website, you increase the likelihood of it being shared, sold, or scraped. The term “scraped” is when automated software gathers your info instead of a actual person. Whenever possible, use an email address or a secondary number for things like online accounts, surveys, forms, or contests. Your main VoIP number should stay private and used only for trusted contacts.
How do you get a secondary number? Get a free number from Google Voice or use apps like Burner for online sign-ups to keep your personal number private. Here’s a link to Google Voice: voice.google.com
OR NCWCOM can provide you a discounted second number for $10.95/mo.
4. Be Cautious About VoIP Phone Apps & Integrations
This is more of a tip for businesses or people who work form home. If you use your VoIP number across multiple apps (softphones, CRM tools, calling apps), make sure each one comes from a reputable source. Insecure apps can leak call data or expose your number to outside parties. Keep your apps updated and remove any that you’re not actively using.
5. Don’t Answer Calls from Unknown or Suspicious Numbers
One of the simplest ways to prevent future spam is also the most overlooked: DON’T PICK UP!
Scammers often mark active numbers as “verified,” meaning answering their call can cause you to receive even more spam. If it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail, legitimate callers always do.
Bonus Tip: Report The Number To The FTC
You can report spam numbers to the government. It’s free, takes minutes, and while it may be a drop in the bucket, it will stop that specific number and as an added bonus, allow you to get some revenge on the person bothering you at home. You can report scam phone numbers here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
Last Thoughts
Protecting your VoIP phone number is all about limiting exposure, enabling built-in security tools, and staying cautious with unknown callers. No method is perfect, but using these tips together can dramatically reduce spam and help keep your phone line safe and reliable.
If you are interested in learning more about our VoIP services for home and businesses, please visit this link: NCWCOM VoIP Services
If you are a customer of ours and have additional questions or concerns, you may also call or email us.