What types of messages can I send with a TFN?
TFNs are designed for business messaging. You can use them for:
Transactional messages - Use these for informational messages like appointment reminders, shipping updates, order confirmations, alerts, and two-factor codes.
Marketing messages - Use these for promotional messages only like product launches, sales, and loyalty updates — as long as customers have explicitly opted in.
What types of messages can I not send with a TFN?
To keep messaging secure and compliant, carriers prohibit certain types of content on Toll-Free Numbers (TFNs). Sending messages that fall into these categories can result in your number being blocked.
The following content is not allowed:
Personal messaging: These are messages sent between individuals for social or casual conversation that are not tied to a business purpose, customer relationship, or service interaction.
High-risk financial services: You cannot promote payday loans, short-term high-interest loans, auto, mortgage, or student loans, third-party lending, gambling, sweepstakes, stock alerts, or cryptocurrency. All first-party and third-party loan marketing is blocked.
"Get rich quick" schemes: This includes work-from-home programs, risk investment opportunities, and multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes.
Third-party debt collection: You cannot send messages about third-party debt collection, debt reduction, debt forgiveness, or credit repair programs.
Controlled substances: This covers federally illegal drugs, including medical marijuana and cannabis dispensaries, even if legal in your state.
Prescription drugs: Offers for prescription drugs that cannot be sold over-the-counter in the US or Canada are prohibited, even for licensed professionals. Including, but not limited to, GLP-1, GLP-1 compounds, botox/filler, and other injections.
SHAFT content: You cannot send content related to Sex, Hate, Alcohol*, Firearms, and Tobacco. This includes pornography, profanity, hate speech, alcohol products, weapons, and tobacco or vape products.
Indirect marketing and lead generation: Messages must come directly from your brand. You cannot use TFNs for third-party promotions, nor can you sell or share customer opt-in data with third parties.
*Note: While alcohol is generally part of prohibited SHAFT content, you can send alcohol-related messages to United States destinations if you use an approved age gate.
Age verification requirements (US): The recipient must enter their exact day, month, and year of birth to confirm their age during the opt-in process before receiving any messages. A simple checkbox or a yes/no question (e.g., "Are you over 21?") is not accepted.
Canada restrictions: You cannot send any content that requires age gating to Canadian destinations at this time.
To learn more about what kinds of messages you can't send, see our sending guidelines. Check out our global sending guides for more information about sending in the US and Canada.
What if I break the rules?
Failing to follow carrier rules can lead to serious consequences. These actions are designed to protect consumers and can impact your ability to send messages.
Message blocking: Carriers will immediately block messages that violate the rules.
Increased filtering: After a violation, your messages may face stricter filtering, which can harm deliverability even after the issue is fixed.
Number suspension: For more serious issues, your Toll-Free Number may be temporarily suspended.
Permanent shutdown: For severe or repeated violations (like sending spam, fraud, or prohibited content), carriers can permanently disable your number.
Audits: Carriers can audit your account at any time. You will be asked to provide proof of opt-in and message samples. Failing an audit can lead to any of the penalties above.