T-Mobile today launched a new "Caller Verified" feature that's designed to offer its customers more protection from scammers and spammers who spoof legitimate phone calls to attempt to fool smartphone owners.

Caller Verified uses the STIR and SHAKEN standards that are in place to combat illegal caller ID spoofing.

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Right now, T-Mobile's implementation of Caller Verified is limited. It's only available on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and it is limited to the T-Mobile network.

On the Note 9, calls on the T-Mobile network will be "Caller Verified," with customers able to see that labeling to be sure that calls are authentic and are not coming from a scammer or spammer.

T-Mobile says that it plans to make the Caller Verified feature available on more smartphones later in the year, but it is not clear if that includes Apple's devices.

The feature will also work with calls coming from other carriers once other wireless providers implement STIR/SHAKEN standards.

T-Mobile has other spam fighting tools including Scam ID, Scam Block, and a premium Name ID app.

Top Rated Comments

centauratlas Avatar
69 months ago
Good for T-Mobile. Hopefully it appears in iOS devices ASAP and spurs AT&T and VZW to add similar features.

Spam/scam calls are out of control.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dguisinger Avatar
69 months ago
I'm not sure why people get so upset about scam calls. I have a contact list. When a phone call comes in, I look at the name. If it comes through as a number I don't recognize, I immediately kick it over to voice mail. If it's important, the person will leave a message and I'll get back to them. If not, I don't worry about it.
Because you shouldn't ***** have to? Seriously, they are calling to sell you on a scam, its illegal. Why should I have to deal with it or filter my calls? Wouldn't it be nice to assume I should be able to answer a call from someone not on my contact list..... or like the newer spoofing scams, answer a call from someone that shows up as Apple support, and know its actually from Apple?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
69 months ago
I really hope Apple does not wait until iOS 13 for STIR/SHAKEN.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JRobinsonJr Avatar
69 months ago
I'm not sure why people get so upset about scam calls. I have a contact list. When a phone call comes in, I look at the name. If it comes through as a number I don't recognize, I immediately kick it over to voice mail. If it's important, the person will leave a message and I'll get back to them. If not, I don't worry about it.
Great approach for personal calls, but many of us use our phones for work... and I get many calls a day from colleagues and customers that are not (or not yet) in my contacts. I can't just push customers to voicemail.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
69 months ago
Oh lord please. I get 2-6 calls a day for insurance scams.
I'm not sure why people get so upset about scam calls. I have a contact list. When a phone call comes in, I look at the name. If it comes through as a number I don't recognize, I immediately kick it over to voice mail. If it's important, the person will leave a message and I'll get back to them. If not, I don't worry about it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMcGuire Avatar
69 months ago
I have received more spam calls in the last 4 months than I have in the last 3-4 years. And no, I didn't do anything that I know of to cause it.

Edit: Thanks for the info --- clicking power button twice declines the call in this case (below). Thank you!
I have my phone on silent 24/7 but my Apple Watch buzzes (which I like) when I get a call. Annoys the **** out of me that the iPhone will not give me an option to decline the call if screen is locked. At least my Apple Watch lets me decline it instantly.

Recently, I've been getting blasted with the - "Your social security checks are at risk if you don't call us right away!" As a 33 year old, this is definitely a huge concern of mine (/sarcasm).

I have DND on 7pm-6am and only people on my contacts can call me. Considering turning it on full time - too bad I can't just do it for calls.

I pay Verizon enough $.... I really expect/hope they do something about this soon. And no, I'm not going to pay $9.99/mo for a service.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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