TCPA compliance is one of the highest-stakes concerns for any business that sends SMS messages or makes outbound calls. A single violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act can result in penalties of $500 to $1,500 per message, and class-action lawsuits in this area regularly reach into the millions. Phone validation TCPA strategies — verifying line types, detecting reassigned numbers, and confirming deliverability before sending — are among the most effective ways to reduce your legal exposure.
What Is the TCPA?
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act is a U.S. law regulating telemarketing, SMS, and robocalls. Originally enacted in 1991, it has expanded to address modern communication channels.
Key requirements include:
- Obtaining “prior express consent” before texting or calling consumers
- Following stricter rules when using autodialers or automated systems
- Exercising caution with certain phone types (landlines, reassigned numbers)
- Providing consumers with opt-out mechanisms and honoring them promptly
Even business-to-business messages may trigger TCPA obligations if sent to personal devices without proper authorization.
Common TCPA Compliance Mistakes
- Sending SMS to landline numbers
- Messaging reassigned or deactivated numbers
- Treating VoIP numbers as exempt from TCPA rules
- Using outdated lead lists without verifying consent
- Neglecting to confirm line type before outreach
- Disregarding number portability when tracking consent history
Where Phone Validation Comes In
Real-time phone validation helps businesses prevent TCPA violations before sending communications. Services like CheckThatPhone provide the data points your compliance team needs in a single API call.
Line Type Detection
Validation tools identify whether numbers are mobile (SMS-eligible), landline (risky for SMS), or VoIP (stricter treatment under TCPA).
Ported Number Checks
Numbers may be ported between carriers after consent is obtained, requiring validation to confirm current status.
Deactivation Detection
Inactive numbers pose compliance risks when contacted, as messages may reach unintended recipients. CheckThatPhone flags deactivated and suspended numbers so you can suppress them before outreach.
Reassigned Number Protection
Checking for recent reassignment helps avoid contacting users who never consented to communications.
Validation at Point of Collection
To minimize compliance risk:
- Validate numbers during signup or form submission
- Record line type and porting status
- Confirm consent before messaging, particularly for VoIP or mobile numbers
- Track changes over time for established customers
Getting Started
TCPA violations carry penalties ranging from $500 to $1,500 per message, making phone validation TCPA compliance not just a best practice but a financial necessity. Proper validation systems can substantially reduce legal exposure while maintaining communication effectiveness.
Review the CheckThatPhone API documentation to see which fields support your TCPA compliance workflow, or explore pricing plans to start validating numbers before your next campaign.