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Understanding toll-free number registry use cases: Acceptable and restricted categories

Toll-free use: OTPs, alerts, marketing allowed with limits; restricted for high-risk finance, debt collection, etc.

Laarni D avatar
Written by Laarni D
Updated over a month ago

Acceptable use cases for toll-free numbers

Toll-free numbers are widely utilized in various transactional and customer-centric scenarios. The following use cases are considered acceptable:

  1. One-Time Password (OTP) or verification codes

    Toll-free numbers are suitable for delivering secure verification codes and OTPs to customers, ensuring secure access to accounts and services.

  2. Account-related alerts, reminders, and notifications

    Businesses can leverage toll-free numbers to send account-related alerts, reminders, and notifications, such as payment reminders, order confirmations, and service updates.

  3. Customer care messaging that includes some automated messaging (i.e., surveys)

    Toll-free numbers can be used for customer care messaging, including automated features such as surveys or feedback requests, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction.

  4. Marketing (with restrictions)

    While marketing is an acceptable use case, there are certain restrictions in place to prevent abusive practices. Toll-free numbers can be used for marketing purposes, but businesses must ensure compliance with regulations and industry guidelines.


Restricted use cases for toll-free numbers

Not all businesses receive successful verification. If your business campaign falls into any of these inappropriate categories, you might need to review this list:

Category

Examples

High-risk financial services

Businesses engaged in high-risk financial services, such as

  • Payday loans

  • Short-term high-interest loans

  • Third-party auto loans

  • Third-party mortgage loans

  • Student loans

  • Cryptocurrency

Third-party lead generation services

Companies that buy, sell, or share consumer information

Debt collection or forgiveness

Toll-free numbers cannot be used for

  • Third-party debt collection

  • Debt consolidation

  • Debt reduction

  • Credit repair programs

“Get rich quick” schemes

Work-from-home programs

Risk investment opportunities

Pyramid schemes

Illegal substances

Businesses involved in the

  • Cannabis (United States)

  • CBD (United States)

  • Prescription drugs

Gambling

Casino apps

Gambling websites

"S.H.A.F.T." use cases

Toll-free numbers cannot be used for promoting or engaging in activities related to

  • Sex

  • Hate

  • Alcohol

  • Firearms

  • Tobacco

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