Spam calls can overwhelm your team, inflate call volume, and waste time. This guide walks through practical steps you can take to reduce inbound spam calls using built in tools and call routing strategies.


Before you start

  • Your account already blocks hidden or private caller ID calls.

  • Spam callers often spoof local numbers, so blocking individual numbers alone is not reliable.

  • The most effective approach is layering detection plus friction for suspicious callers.

Step 1: Turn on Number Intelligence


Number Intelligence helps identify likely spam and nuisance callers using phone number reputation data.


What it does

  • Detects suspicious numbers before you answer

  • Can help your team quickly recognize spam patterns

  • Reduces time wasted on repeat spam callers


How to set it up

Under Sub-account Settings > Phone System > Additional Settings > Number Intelligence, toggle it on.

Follow the setup steps here

Step 2: Quarantine repeat spam numbers using a “Spam call” disposition plus inbound DND


If Number Intelligence helps but spam is still getting through, the next move is to make spam handling consistent and automated.


The idea:

  1. Your agent marks the call as spam using a custom call disposition.

  2. A workflow automatically enables inbound DND for that contact so future calls from that number do not ring your team.


2A: Create a custom disposition called “Spam call”


Under Sub-account Settings > Phone System > Voice > Custom Dispositions, Add Disposition. Use a simple, consistent name like:

  • Spam call



2B: Trigger a workflow when “Spam call” is selected


Under Automations/Workflows, Create Workflow from scratch. In your workflow:

  • Trigger: Call Details

  • Filters: Call disposition is “Spam call”

  • Action: Enable/Disable DND. Choose DND Direction as "Inbound" and "Enable DND for all channels"

Step 3: Add IVR screening to stop robocalls and discourage human spam


IVR is one of the most effective spam filters because many robocalls cannot navigate menus. Even human spam callers often quit when they have to press keys and wait.


Recommended IVR approach

  • Keep it simple: “Press 1 to connect” is usually enough.

  • Avoid long menus. Long menus hurt real customers more than they hurt spam.

  • If you serve existing customers, offer a second option like “Press 2 if you are an existing client.”


Where IVR fits

  • Best for numbers published publicly on ads, directories, and landing pages

  • Best when spam volume is high and the team is losing time daily

  • Not ideal for high urgency businesses where every second matters

Suggested setup order

  1. Enable Number Intelligence.

  2. If spam still wastes meaningful time, add “Spam call” disposition plus workflow based inbound DND.

  3. If spam remains heavy on public facing numbers, add IVR screening.

What to expect

  • You will not eliminate spoofed spam completely.

  • You will reduce how often spam reaches your team and how much time it consumes.


Better solutions are in the works.