CNAM Database Limitations: Caller Name (CNAM) lookup databases are primarily national. When an international “phone number caller” places a call, the receiving country’s CNAM database typically won’t have a corresponding entry for that foreign number. This is why many international calls display only the number, or a generic “International Call” designation, rather than a name.
Regulatory Discrepancies: anti-spoofing laws, enforcement varies globally. A “phone number caller” spoofed in a country with lax regulations might pass through a gateway and appear legitimate in a country with strict rules, before the receiving network can detect the fraud. This creates loopholes for international scammers.
Lack of Universal Identity Verification
There isn’t a single global system for verifying the authenticity of caller ID information across all international carriers. Efforts like STIR/SHAKEN are gaining traction, but their global adoption and interoperability between disparate networks are ongoing processes.
Time Zone and Cultural Nuances: While not directly technical, managing incoming international calls also requires consideration of time zones and cultural communication preferences. A “phone number caller” from a seemingly legitimate overseas business might be calling at an inconvenient time for the recipient.
The Rise of International Scams:
The complexities of international caller ID make it a fertile ground for global dataset cammers. They often:
Operate from Countries with Lax Enforcement: Making it difficult for victims’ national law enforcement to prosecute.
Leverage VoIP and Global Gateways: Using technologies that allow them to easily spoof numbers and route calls globally, often appearing as local calls (neighbor spoofing) to targets in other countries.
Utilize International Premium Rate Numbers (IPRNs): Some scams involve tricking recipients into calling expensive international premium rate numbers, generating revenue for the fraudsters.
Efforts to Improve International Caller ID
Global Interoperability of STIR/SHAKEN: Telecom requests for sensitive personal information industry gro.
ups are working to extend belgium numbers STIR/SHAKEN-like frameworks across international borders to build a chain of trust for caller ID verification on global calls.