Voice Fraud & Compliance Wiki

    Call Authentication

    CNAMCaller Name

    The legacy caller-name lookup system in which the terminating carrier queries a database to find a name associated with the calling number.

    In traditional CNAM the calling party does not send a name at all. The terminating carrier performs a dip against a CNAM database keyed on the calling number and displays whatever it finds, limited to 15 characters.

    Because CNAM records are loosely governed and the lookup is based purely on the number, a spoofed number produces a convincing but entirely false name on the handset.

    Why it matters to carriers

    CNAM offers no protection against spoofing, which is precisely the gap Rich Call Data and branded calling are designed to close.

    Handling cnam on your own switch

    SipShield scores live SIP traffic with patented AI so the controls behind this term run automatically — and leave the audit trail regulators expect.