Just a few years ago, the FCC determined text messaging does indeed fall under the TCPA umbrella. For some companies, this may have come as a surprise — particularly for Jiffy Lube with their now-famous SMS mishap.
But no need to get discouraged or abandon the idea of text messaging for your financial organization altogether. There are a few easy ways to make sure your company complies with the TCPA and never misses a beat.
Best Practice #1: Include a Disclaimer
It is always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to letting your customers know what communication they will receive via SMS, now and in the future. A friendly disclaimer should include how they can opt-in or out of text messages, as well as stating how carrier SMS charges may apply.
Best Practice #2: Consistent Opt-In and Opt-Out Messaging
Utilizing predefined content not only saves you and your company time, but it also ensures compliance is covered for every text message recepient. Have your legal team or compliance officer review such messaging prior to implementation.
Best Practice #3: Always Be Clear
There must be clear consent during the opt-in process. A great way to do this is through digital written consent. For example, a simple way to do this is adding written consent within the existing digital journey your customer takes when completing a loan application.
While these best practices are not exhaustive by any means, they do provide a great place to start your planning. Once your financial organization understands the steps it takes to be TCPA compliant, everything else will fall into place.