How to ensure you meet TCPA and other regulations when reaching out to consumers
When reaching out to prospects and leads, it’s crucial to understand and follow legal guidelines that govern consumer communications. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), along with other regulations like the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) and the Truth in Caller ID Act, are designed to protect consumer privacy and prevent unwanted communications.
These laws regulate who you can contact, how and when you can reach them, and what kind of messages you can send—whether by phone, text, or fax.
✅ How to Stay Compliant
While this guide offers general best practices, please note: this is not legal advice. You should always consult a legal professional and stay updated on local and federal laws.
📞 Calling and Texting Restrictions
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Do not use autodialers, prerecorded, or simulated voices to make calls to:
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Residential lines without prior express consent
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Emergency services (e.g. 911, hospitals, law enforcement)
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Guest or patient rooms in hospitals or elder care facilities
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Numbers assigned to paging, cellular, or other mobile radio services
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Any service where the recipient is charged for the call
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🛑 Respect Opt-Outs and Preferences
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Always provide a clear and simple opt-out option in your communications.
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Honor opt-out requests immediately and add these contacts to your internal Do Not Contact (DNC) list.
🕗 Follow Time Restrictions
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Do not contact consumers before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. in their local time zone.
🌐 Check Federal and State Rules
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Regulations can vary by state—make sure you're familiar with the rules in each state where your contacts are located.
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Always verify the most current requirements before launching a campaign.
🆔 Caller Identification Requirements
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Clearly identify yourself or your business in all calls and messages.
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Do not spoof your caller ID—use accurate and transparent contact information.
🚫 Avoid Deceptive or Intrusive Practices
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Never send messages that contain false or misleading information.
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Avoid using ringless voicemail for cold outreach—it may be illegal in certain jurisdictions.
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Do not send unsolicited faxes under any circumstance.
📋 Do Not Call (DNC) Compliance
To comply with the National Do Not Call Registry and related regulations:
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Register for a Subscription Account Number (SAN) through the National DNC Registry.
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Do not call or text numbers listed on the DNC registry.
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Invelo provides DNC information during skip tracing, but you are responsible for verifying and complying with all contact laws.
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Synchronize your contact lists every 31 days to reflect the latest DNC data.
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Maintain an internal DNC list of anyone who asks not to be contacted—and ensure your team honors it.
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Register for all area codes you plan to contact.
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Scrub your call lists regularly against both national and state DNC databases.
🛡️ Additional Best Practices
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Document consent when possible (e.g. forms, emails, checkboxes).
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Skip tracing with Invelo brings back DNC flags for phone numbers. Invelo's DNC filters will help you clean your lists to make sure you stay compliant during outreach.
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Train your team on ethical outreach practices and keep them informed of legal changes.
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When in doubt, consult a compliance expert or attorney.
🤝 Need Help?
If you have questions about how Invelo helps you stay compliant, or if you’d like help using our built-in tools for DNC checks and contact management, feel free to reach out to our support team via the in-app chat or email at support@inveloapp.com. We're here to help!