​

North American wireless carriers require businesses to adhere to certain SMS messaging guidelines such as obtaining opt-in permission from customers before sending messages and keeping records of those opt-ins. While VerityPay provides an automated opt-out process, regulation-friendly messaging, and other SMS compliance features to make make things very simple, text message compliance responsibilities (obtaining opt-in permission, record keeping, etc.) must be managed by you as the business sending the messages.

​​

Why is Opt-In Important?

​

Compliance requirement aside, collecting opt-in has many benefits. 

​

Opt-in ensures that:

• Your recipients expect your messages (high acceptance rates, less questions)

• Your messages always get delivered (no worry about landing in spam)

• Your reputation remains strong and protected

​

​

What Qualifies as a Valid Opt-In

​

A compliant opt-in must be:

​

1. Explicit
The user clearly agrees to receive SMS messages.

​

2. Informed
They understand:​

​

• Who is sending the messages (your business)

• What kind of messages they will receive (in this case: payment notifications and reminders, billing notifications and reminders, etc.)

• That they can opt-out at any time by replying "STOP"

• That message & data rates may apply

• Messaging frequency ("Messaging frequency may vary" in this case)

​

3. Documented
You must be able to show:

​

• When the user opted in

• How they opted in

• What they were shown at the time of opt-in

​

​

Common Ways Businesses Collect Opt-In

​

You are free to choose the method that best fits your workflow. Below are widely accepted and recommended approaches:

​

1. Web Forms

​

Customers enter their phone number through:​

• Signup pages

• Account registration flows

• Checkout experiences

• Dedicated opt-in page

​

Key considerations:

• Include clear consent language near the phone field

• Avoid pre-checked consent boxes​

​

Examples:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

2. Paper or In-Person Forms

​

Collected in physical environments like:

• Offices

• Events

• Retail locations

​

Key considerations:​

• Consent language must be visible and clear

• Forms should be stored or digitized for records

​

Examples: 

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

3. Verbal Opt-In (with Documentation)

​

Collected via phone or in person.

​

Key considerations:

• Must be clearly stated and agreed to

• Should be logged in your system (date, time, context)

• Often paired with a follow-up confirmation

​

4. Existing Customer Workflows

​

Opt-in can be integrated into:

• Account agreements

• Service enrollment processes

• Ongoing customer interactions

​

Key considerations:

• Consent must be separate and explicit (not buried in general terms)

• Customers must understand SMS is included

​​​​

​

Your Responsibility in the Process

​​

While VerityPay takes care of a lot behind the scenes for you...

 

You are responsible for:

• Designing your opt-in collection method (We are happy to answer questions in this process)

• Maintaining records of opt-in

• Your company's compliance posture

​

You will need to provide:

• Proof of your opt-in method (photo/link/copy)

• A brief description of your opt-in process

• A link to your companies Privacy Policy

• A link to your companies Terms and Conditions (if applicable)

​

Key Takeaway

​

There is no single “correct” way to collect opt-in but there is a required standard:

Clear permission + clear expectations + clear records

As long as your process meets those principles, you’ll be set up for a success!.

​

​

If you have any additional questions regarding SMS opt-in and compliance, please contact your VerityPay onboarding manager. They are standing by to help wherever they can! 

​