STIR/SHAKEN is a framework used by telecom providers to combat caller ID spoofing—when scammers fake a phone number to make calls look legitimate.

What the name means

• STIR = Secure Telephone Identity Revisited

• SHAKEN = Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs

Yeah, it’s a bit of a forced acronym, but here’s the simple idea:

How it works (plain English)

1. When a call is made, the originating carrier digitally signs the call using a certificate.

2. This signature confirms:

   • The caller is authorized to use that number

   • The number hasn’t been tampered with

3. The receiving carrier verifies the signature.

4. Based on that, your phone can show:

   • ✅ Verified caller

   • ⚠️ Potential spam / spoofed call