Beginning January 1, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission's [FCC] rule change will require ALL custom toll-free phone numbers to be verified. The verification process will need to be completed before sending the first message with a Custom Toll-Free Number. These restrictions will prevent your members from receiving your text/SMS communications. This change is an industry-wide requirement and not under our control.
*Limits are not applicable when a Custom Toll-Free number has completed verification.
Pro Tip* After verification, we suggest paying out your toll free number to avoid having to start this process over if the payment method were to fail at any time.
Verification Benefits
Verified as a REAL Person, Business, or Organization
No “possible spam” Notification
Reduced Filtering on all major networks in the US and Canada
Higher Member Engagement
Verification Process
Complete all questions. N/A is not an acceptable answer.
Submit the completed form when you have answered all questions.
Check back for a status update from 12 to 72 hours under your custom phone number selection.
Status must go from pending to Active in order to send text out from this number.
NOTE:
Missing information will result in delays in processing your verification.
The opt-in cannot be part of the terms of service. From the Toll Free carrier partner's perspective, if the opt-in to SMS is embedded in the terms of service, people are forced to agree to SMS a a condition of using the services, and therefore opt-in was forced and will not be acceptable.
Opt in Type: Consent and Opt-in workflow
Note: We are required to show how you gained permission to text message your contacts. (i.e. URL to contact sign-up, URL to QR Code, URL to PDF/DOC)
Verbal
Web Form There needs to be a distinct and separate opt-in for SMS specifically such that end users must be able to choose whether or not they want to receive SMS with a check box
Paper Form-Needs to identify the Business information and what type of messages are expected to be sent.
Via Text/ Keywords - Add a text keyword to your account and attach it to a group.
You will need to screen shot the text response showing that the member provided consent. Here is a sample of what they will see if they text the keyword to 24251.
Mobile / QR Code
The option to rescind messages is considered opt-out, and does not bypass the need for optional opt-in.
Toll-Free Number Verification Categories
Restricted: previously “Unverified” status means that your Toll-Free number has not been submitted for verification. Carriers will filter and block your text/sms.
Pending: Submitting your completed verification form, will place your Toll-Free number(s) in a Pending Verification status if all data is valid and meets the standards.
Verified: Upon a successful review of your verification submission and carrier approval, your number(s) will be moved to "Verified" status. Verified numbers have full access to begin sending Text/SMS Toll-Free traffic toward all major networks in the US and some in Canada.