If your Toll-Free verification request fails for eligible reasons, you can correct and resubmit your request. For a full list of eligible rejection reasons see below. If eligible, you can resubmit your Toll-Free verification after correcting the identified content violation.
Rejection types eligible for resubmission
Each of the following below are rejection reasons for TFN Verification. To resolve these issues, please take the corrective action(s) outlined in the table below, and then re-submit your Toll-Free Verification request with the updated information.
Rejection category |
Rejection reason |
Correction needed |
Submission Error | Number not provisioned to your Organization | Reach out to Sinch to make sure the phone number is properly provisioned and resubmit the TFN |
Content Violation - SHAFT - Alcohol with no robust age gate |
Age gate on site or in submission was similar to: “Are you 21+” “Click Yes or No” |
Changing the Age gate to be collecting the Birthday in the form of Month/Day/Year. Alcohol-related content is allowed in the US only for TFN. The minimum legal drinking age is 21 in the US.
Example: Please Enter Your Birthday: MM/DD/YYYY |
Campaign Violation - Age Gate Not Present / Not Acceptable - Eligible for Resubmission with Robust Age Gate implemented |
Age gate on site or in submission was similar to: “Are you 18/21+” “Click Yes or No” |
Changing the Age gate to be collecting the Birthday in the form of Month/Day/Year.
Example: Please Enter Your Birthday: MM/DD/YYYY |
High Risk - Public URL Shortener - Correct to branded URL domain |
URL link is a free public domain link associated with high abuse rates
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If you are using a URL shortener, we strongly recommend using a proprietary one. The URL shortener should be unique to each business to make it clear to consumers what the content is and where they’re being directed to.
Update URL link to show brand or paste full unshortened link to website
Example: http://bit.ly/12345 -> https://sunshinecafe.com/12345 |
High Risk - Non-secured URL - correct to https:// |
Rejected for insecure URL in message contents - only secure URL links may be sent for A2P Messaging |
Adding the https protocol
Example: sunshinecafe.com -> https://www.sunshinecafe.com |
Message Program Detail Issues - Message Content Does Not Align with Use Case or is Incomplete |
Sample messages does not align with the use case you selected.
Sample messages field was filled with “N/A”, “see attached” or not included. Submission should include sample messages of the content that the end-user/mobile handset will be receiving in the SMS. |
Update your sample message content to accurately reflect the approved use case.
Ensure all required message components are included (business name, opt-out instructions, etc.)
Include SMS messages that the end business will be sending out to the customer’s mobile handset.
Remove any content that doesn't align with your stated messaging purpose
Example:
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Message Program Detail Issues -Confirmation Message Missing Required Details |
The confirmation message example provided in your submission is missing required elements. These may include:
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Update your confirmation message to include all required details:
Ensure clarity and consistency across all messaging examples |
Message Program Detail Issues - HELP Keyword Response Must Meet Compliance Requirements |
The HELP keyword response provided in your submission does not meet compliance requirements. Common issues include:
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Update your HELP response to include:
Ensure the response is concise yet complete
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High Risk - No Business Name (Branded) in the Messages Samples Provided = SPAM |
The message samples provided are not branded with the business name, which may be flagged as spam and/or have the number blocked with the wireless carriers. |
Check if the Business Name is included in the message samples and every message to avoid the number from being filtered or blocked with the wireless carriers.
Example:
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Business Information Issues - Business Information Could Not Be Verified - Contact, Email, Address, or URL Is Invalid |
End-user business information could not be verified, was not provided, is not valid |
Check if the end-user business is registered in their country/state’s database and provide the end business information in all fields
Example:
Please see this page for more information on checking a business address and registration status: 10DLC, Toll-Free and Short Code Number Brand Identity Resources |
Business Information Issues - Business Email Address Must Use an Official Domain | The email address provided in your business information does not use an official business domain. Free or personal email services (like Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) may not be accepted unless they can be verified on your official business website as a legitimate contact method for your business. |
Update your submission with an email address that uses your business domain (e.g., contact@yourbusiness.com)
If you don't have a business domain email, create one through your website hosting service
If you must use a free email service, ensure it's listed on your business website as an official contact method. |
Business Information Issues - Contact Name Must Belong to a Business Representative | The contact name provided does not appear to be an actual person authorized to represent the business. Generic names or titles such as "Admin," "Support," or incomplete names are not accepted. |
Provide the full first and last name of an authorized business representative.
Ensure the person listed holds an official role within the business.
Do not use generic titles, roles, or partial names. |
Business Information Issues - Business Name Must Match Official Records |
The business name provided in your submission does not match what appears on your corporate website or other official documents. This may include situations where:
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Update the business name to exactly match what appears on your website or official documentation.
If you operate under a DBA name, update the DBA field in your submission and provide supporting documentation.
Ensure consistency between your verification submission and your web presence. |
Business Information Issues - Official Business Registration Documents Are Required |
KYC research is unable to verify a brand’s legitimacy and additional information is needed. |
Provide certified business registration documents that confirms a business's legal existence and compliance with local/country regulations, allowing it to operate and engage in business activities. The following documents are acceptable such as:
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Business Website Issues -Website Must Be Established and Active |
The website provided in your submission appears to be:
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Business Website Issues -Social Platform Must Be Established and Active |
The social media platform provided as your business's web presence appears to be:
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Submit a more established social media account that demonstrates business legitimacy
Ensure your social profile includes:
Alternatively, provide a functional business website instead of a social media profile. |
Business Website Issues -Website Is Password Protected or Requires Login |
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Provide a publicly accessible version of your website that allows verification of business information |
Business Website Issues - Invalid or Inaccessible Website URL |
Corporate URL link/Website provided did not resolve, is not yet live, says “Coming Soon”, password protected, 404 error… etc. |
Ensure the Corporate URL link/Website is live, working, and publicly accessible.
Make sure that the business website URL is not in a private state that requires a login/password.
Example: https://www.sinch.com/ |
Business Website Issues -Business website URL must display branding |
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Business Website Issues -Privacy Policy or Terms & Conditions URL Is Missing, Inaccessible, or Lacks Content |
Privacy Policy and/or Terms and Conditions URL in your submission:
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Message Program Detail Issues -Projected Message Volume Exceeds Use Case Limits |
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Invalid Information - ISV Contact Information Provided, Need Assigned End User |
Business information provided is an ISV (ISV (Independent Software Vendor/Reseller) and not the actual business name that will be on the TFN’s welcome/confirmation message, HELP message, or STOP message. |
Providing the end-business name, address, first and last name contact, email address, and URL link that will be directly engaging with the SMS subscriber/mobile handset
Example:
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Business Information Issues - Doing Business As (DBA) Name Must Be Accurately Provided |
The business name or brand listed in your submission does not align with your registered business details. This inconsistency may be due to:
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Business Information Issues -Charitable Organization Must Be 501(c)(3) and Provide Valid Accreditation URL for donation solicitation |
Your organization is identified as a charitable entity soliciting donations, but:
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Message Program Detail |
No Campaign Verify Token was provided upon submission associated with the business. This verification is mandatory for all political messaging campaigns. |
Business information provided is for a political campaign. All Political Campaigns must be tokenized thru Campaign Verify (SC, 10 DLC and TFN).
Campaign Verify is a secure, campaign-friendly, non-partisan, not-for-profit verification solution for U.S. political actors seeking to verify their identity and engage with voters via text messaging.
To register, please visit Campaign Verify: https://www.campaignverify.org/.
Once your form has been submitted, Campaign Verify will review the information, and you will be issued a six-digit PIN code.
Log in to Campaign Verify and enter this PIN code to generate & receive your token. This token will allow you to complete your TFN Verification. Please provide this token upon submitting your TFN Verification form. |
Message Program Detail |
Business is considered a 527 organization, which is a party, committee, association, fund or other organization (whether or not incorporated) organized and operated primarily for the purpose of directly or indirectly accepting contributions or making expenditures, or both, for an exempt function.
Such as influencing or attempting to influence the selection, nomination, election or appointment of an individual to a federal, state or local public office or office in a political organization. |
Only 527 Organizations with a FEC filing (federal campaigns/FEC ID) will have to provide their status, which is displayed immediately after the Campaign Verify (CV) token is provided upon submission.
To register, please visit Campaign Verify: https://www.campaignverify.org/. |
Message Program Detail Issues - Use Case and Use Case Summary Inconsistent |
There is a mismatch between the selected use case and the use case summary in your submission. For example:
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Message Program Detail Issues - Opt-In Workflow Must Match the Submission Details |
The opt-in workflow description in your submission doesn't match the actual opt-in example provided. For example:
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Opt-in and Consent Issues - Marketing Messages Require Express Written Consent |
Use case is Marketing/Promotional, but does not show express written consent in the opt-in |
Express written consent is when someone explicitly agrees, either in writing or digitally, to receive marketing/promotional messages such as calls or texts.
This approval cannot be part of a transaction, terms of service, or privacy policy page. It must be a stand-alone approval for sending SMS messages when user signs-up.
Example:
Please see this page for more information on opt-in requirements: What opt-in documentation is required for Toll-Free sender verification? |
Opt-in and Consent Issues - Single Opt-In for Multiple Use Cases Is Not Allowed |
Mixing two or more use cases (i.e. promotional/marketing, informational, OTP/2FA...etc.) within the same opt-in agreement.
Opt-in text that doesn't differentiate between different message types and/or combining multiple use cases under one consent mechanism |
The goal is to have the submission clearly states what messages a Toll-Free Number will be sending and the opt in should gather consent properly per use case.
Separate the use cases into separate opt-in agreements for each message type (e.g., promotional, informational) with checkboxes included. This ensures users can select which message types they want to receive independently.
Remember opting into an SMS campaign has to be optional, not mandatory, so please be careful when designing the opt in.
Example of Promotional/Marketing:
Example of Appointment:
Example of 2FA/OTP:
Please see this page for more information on opt-in requirements: What opt-in documentation is required for Toll-Free sender verification?
Please see this page for more information on opt-in for 2FA/OTP alerts: What type of consent is required for 2FA or OTP message programs on TFN? |
Opt-in and Consent Issues - Opt-in - Consent for messaging is a requirement for service |
Opt-in provided does not include language that the mobile user is consenting to receive SMS messaging. Users signing up their email address is not consent for SMS. |
There must be clear and visible language where the customer understands giving their phone number means they are signing up to receive SMS.
At a minimum, the user must be informed something like "By entering your number, you agree to receive text messages…" upon sign-up.
This does not include the customer simply providing their phone number as part of a transaction, filling out a form, agreeing to their T&Cs or Privacy Policy etc.
Please see this page for more information on opt-in requirements: What opt-in documentation is required for Toll-Free sender verification? |
Opt-in and Consent Issues - Agreeing to Receive Messages Must Be Optional |
Your opt-in process requires users to consent to receiving messages as a condition for completing unrelated actions such as:
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Opt-in and Consent Issues - Opt-Ins Must Clearly Reflect the End Business |
For submissions by Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) or platform providers, the opt-in examples provided:
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Opt-in and Consent Issues - Opt-In Does Not Match the Use Case |
There is a mismatch between the opt-in language or method and the use case described in your submission.
Examples include:
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Opt-in and Consent Issues - Opt-In Checkbox is Pre-selected |
Your opt-in process uses pre-selected or pre-checked options for consent, which fails to provide users with a clear choice. This includes:
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Opt-in and Consent Issues - Opt-In Example Must Be Complete, Branded, and Legible |
The opt-in example provided is insufficient for verification because it is:
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Opt-in and Consent Issues - Verbal Consent Script Must Be Provided for Approval |
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Opt-in and Consent Issues - Opt-in - No opt-in provided |
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Please see this page for more information on opt-in requirements: What opt-in documentation is required for Toll-Free sender verification? |
Privacy Policy or Terms and Conditions Issues - Privacy Policy Required if Personal Data Is Collected |
Your business collects personal data but:
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Create and publish a comprehensive privacy policy on your website.
Ensure your privacy policy includes:
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Privacy Policy or Terms and Conditions Issues - Opt-In Data Cannot Be Shared, Transferred, Rented, or Sold to Third Parties |
Opt-in language and/or Privacy Policy page includes that SMS will come from another business the customer is signing up with but also from other affiliates, partners, etc. |
Opt-in must be 1-to-1, can't be shared with 3rd parties, and can't be implied.
Update Opt-in language and Privacy Policy to make it clear that users’ personal info. will not be shared or sold to third parties for the purpose of marketing and/or sweepstakes.
Ensure your business practices maintain consent as a direct 1:1 agreement between consumer and message sender. |
Business Information Issues - Toll-Free Number Cannot Be Shared Across Multiple Businesses |
One number is being used to send messages for multiple businesses. A toll-free verification has been received for a toll-free phone number that is assigned to multiple businesses. The toll-free phone number must be 1:1 with a single business, it cannot be used for multiple businesses. VSFs should be submitted for one TFN per end business. |
Use the toll-free phone number for only one business.
Example:
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Additional Information Requested - Justification for more than 5 numbers / business |
More than 5 numbers listed with the same business name and address.
Verification supports up to 5 Toll-Free phone numbers for a single entity in a verification submission with no additional information required. |
Explain why 1 business at 1 location/address needs more than 5 numbers. Are they for different agents at one location? Are they used for different departments in a single location? Different locations (like a franchise) - if so, provide the address to each location
Example:
For ISVs or aggregators who provide messaging service to businesses, it's expected that the information provided represents the entity (your customer) that is engaging with the opted-in consumer. Therefore, a toll-free verification should not be associated with the ISV.
Exceptions may apply when the use case clearly showcases that the ISV manages opt-in mechanisms and is the sole message content creator. |
Unverified toll-free numbers (TFNs) and Pending Verification toll-free numbers (TFNs) are subject to industry-wide message blocking. Unverified toll-free numbers are TFNs that have not completed the toll-free sender verification process. Pending Verification toll-free numbers are TFNs where a verification request has been submitted, but the request is pending review and approval.
Note: In the past it was possible to send messages from an Unverified TFN or Pending Verification TFN. However, as a result of industry-wide changes, all toll-free numbers, regardless of the use case, must be Verified to originate traffic.
UNVERIFIED toll-free numbers (TFNs) are subject to industry-wide message blocking, effective November 8, 2023.
PENDING VERIFICATION toll-free numbers (TFNs) are subject to industry-wide message blocking, effective January 31, 2024.
All toll-free numbers (TFNs) must be in a VERIFIED state in order to originate traffic.
Unverified TFNs and TFNs pending verification will be blocked with Sinch error code 64 “Blocked due to exceeded quota”. Please see Toll-Free Delivery Report Errors for a full list of Sinch Toll-Free error codes.