What do I do if my number is flagged?

What to do with flagged numbers


If you are seeing numbers flagged when you log into Spam Hammer, our system is already challenging the flag for you! Follow best calling practices while we work our magic.


If you are a Lineage CRM user, do not delete the number from Lineage. This simply resets the challenge clock to zero and restarts the problem with worse odds.



Frequently Asked Question: Do I need to inform you if my number is flagged?


Answer: Nope! If Spam Hammer shows it flagged, we're already working on it. You should, however, let us know if Spam Hammer is showing that the number is clear on a carrier but you are seeing it flagged when calling AND the status has not changed in Spam Hammer for 24 hours.


New Numbers


We are increasingly seeing carriers flag new numbers that users have not called from. This is called reflexive flagging – the carrier sees that the number has been dormant and then, once it's added to Lineage, there's a sudden influx of dialing. They see this as suspicious and immediately flag it, even though you have done nothing wrong!


If your new number was purchased through Lineage, do not delete it. This simply resets the challenge clock to zero and restarts the problem with worse odds.


Instead, warm up the number. Make real calls (to friends, family, colleagues, or even your cell phone!) and stay on the line for at least a minute. Keep your daily call volume low for the first several days and stick to normal use patterns – for instance, don't make 100 calls on day one.


If you have not done so already, review the Phone Number Best Practices Guide.


Cell phone flags on carriers


Carriers rarely flag cell phone numbers on their own system. For instance, if your cell phone carrier is ATT, it is unlikely to flag for other ATT users. However, we have seen a number of "false positives" recently in which numbers are showing as flagged on the same carrier. This is a known bug with the carriers that they have not fixed yet. We are in the process of building a new system that will hopefully filter that issue out in the future.



Note: The carriers have been more aggressively flagging personal cell phones that are calling and mass-texting. They are flagging fast, clearing slowly, and sometimes disabling outbound calling altogether. If you are using a personal cell phone and cannot get another number right now, hold it under ~50 outbound calls per day and 100 per week, and never bulk-text from it.


How long will my number stay flagged?


Unfortunately, the carriers do not give us a timeline. Just over half the time we see flags clear in 1-2 days, but it can take up to a week or so. We rarely see it take longer than that. We check and challenge the flag daily until they release it. One heads up: especially in the first few weeks, a number can clear and then get re-flagged a few times before it stabilizes, so keep checking your dashboard each morning before you dial. If your number is still flagged after two weeks, reach back out and we will pull its full history and take a closer look.


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Updated on: 28/08/2026

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