# Forbidden message categories for SMS and MMS in the US and Canada > The following messaging use cases are not allowed on SMS or MMS in the United States or Canada. The below information applies to long code messaging with the rollout of the new A2P 10DLC system, in addition to short code and Toll-Free messaging. Lastly, w - Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/phone-system/a2p-registration/forbidden-message-categories-for-sms-and-mms-in-the-us-and-canada - Section: Phone System / A2P registration - Reading time: 7 min - Modified on Thu, 3 Sep at 2:28 AM --- SMS Compliance # Prohibited and Restricted SMS/MMS Message Categories in the US and Canada Understand which business types and message categories are prohibited or restricted for SMS and MMS messaging to maintain compliance and avoid carrier penalties. What You'll Learn GHL Customer Care restricts or prohibits certain business types and message categories across SMS and MMS. Some categories are completely prohibited, while others are restricted and may be permitted only under specific conditions such as age gating, proper consent documentation, or use with particular number types. This article explains which categories are prohibited, which are restricted, carrier-specific enforcement mechanisms including T-Mobile Severity-0 fines, and compliant alternatives when available. Table of Contents [1Policy Overview](#section-1) [2T-Mobile Severity-0 Fines](#section-2) [3Prohibited Message Categories](#section-3) [4Restricted Message Categories](#section-4) [5Consent and Privacy Violations](#section-5) [6Alternative Communication Channels](#section-6) [7Related Articles](#section-related) [8Frequently Asked Questions](#section-faq) ## 1Policy Overview GHL Customer Care restricts or prohibits certain business types and message categories across SMS and MMS communications. Messaging eligibility depends on content type, sender classification, destination country, carrier requirements, and whether additional safeguards such as age verification, consent documentation, or specific number types are required. This article focuses on US and Canada messaging restrictions. These policies apply across long code (10DLC), toll-free, and short code number types unless otherwise specified. Carriers enforce these restrictions through filtering, suspension, or financial penalties. Important Selecting an A2P Campaign use case does not automatically make restricted content eligible. Campaign approval and content compliance are separate evaluations. Review prohibited and restricted categories before configuring campaigns. ## 2T-Mobile Severity-0 Fines T-Mobile Severity-0 fines represent one carrier-specific enforcement mechanism within the broader messaging compliance framework. These fines apply when prohibited traffic is detected on T-Mobile networks. GHL Customer Care policy may prohibit activity independently of whether a specific T-Mobile fine applies, and other carriers enforce their own rules. T-Mobile categorizes violations into three tiers based on severity. Each tier carries a different fine amount per incident: | Tier | Fine Amount | Example Violations | | --- | --- | --- | | Tier 1 | $2,000 | Illegal substances, phishing/smishing, S.H.A.F.T. content | | Tier 2 | $1,000 | Deceptive marketing, non-compliant loan offers | | Tier 3 | $500 | Debt collection, lead generation without proper consent | Note Fine amounts and tier classifications are subject to change by T-Mobile. These fines are in addition to potential number suspension, filtering, or account termination. ## 3Prohibited Message Categories The following message categories are prohibited for SMS and MMS across all number types in the US and Canada. These restrictions apply regardless of consent status, campaign use case, or other factors. Category Phishing, Smishing, Fraud, and Social Engineering Any attempt to deceive recipients into providing sensitive information, credentials, or financial details through impersonation, misleading links, or false pretenses. This includes fake delivery notifications, account verification scams, prize claims, and urgent-action requests designed to exploit trust. Category Controlled, Regulated, and Restricted Substances Promotional messaging for cannabis, CBD, prescription drugs, or other controlled substances is prohibited across SMS and MMS channels. This applies even when products are legal in specific jurisdictions. **Examples:** Cannabis dispensary promotions, CBD product sales, prescription medication offers, controlled substance advertising. Category Gambling Gambling traffic is prohibited in the US and Canada on all number types. This includes sports betting, online casinos, sweepstakes requiring payment, lottery-related promotional content, and fantasy sports platforms. **Examples:** Casino app promotions, sports betting offers, online poker invitations, paid sweepstakes entries, daily fantasy sports advertising. Category Sexual Content Sexually explicit content, adult services, and age-restricted sexual material are prohibited across all SMS and MMS messaging. **Examples:** Adult entertainment services, explicit imagery, dating services with sexual focus, escort services. Category Hate-Related Content Content promoting hate, discrimination, violence, or harassment based on protected characteristics including race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. Category High-Risk Financial Services Certain high-risk financial products and services are prohibited due to predatory lending concerns or regulatory restrictions. **Examples:** Payday loan offers, short-term high-interest loan promotions, third-party auto loan solicitations, third-party mortgage loan marketing, student loan debt relief schemes, high-risk investment solicitations promising guaranteed or outsized returns, cryptocurrency investment promotions. Category Third-Party Debt Collection Third-party debt collection agencies contacting consumers about purchased or assigned debt are prohibited from using SMS and MMS. **Prohibited example:** A third-party debt collector messaging purchased or assigned debtors about outstanding balances. **Potentially permitted example:** A business communicating directly with its own customer about an existing account balance through a first-party relationship, assuming valid consent and compliance with applicable debt communication regulations. Category Get-Rich-Quick Schemes Schemes promising unrealistic earnings, guaranteed income, or high returns with minimal effort or investment are prohibited. **Examples:** Guaranteed-income schemes, pyramid or multi-level marketing centered on unrealistic earnings claims, high-risk investment solicitations promising guaranteed returns, "make money fast" programs. Category Third-Party Lead Generation Companies that buy, sell, or share consumer contact information for marketing purposes cannot use purchased or shared consent for SMS messaging. SMS consent generally cannot be transferred from one unrelated business to another simply because contact information was purchased or shared. **Examples:** Purchasing consumer leads and messaging them about unrelated services, sharing opt-in lists between unrelated companies, selling consumer contact databases with claimed SMS permissions. ## 4Restricted Message Categories The following categories are restricted and may be permitted only under specific conditions. Restrictions vary by content type, number type, and whether additional requirements such as age verification are met. | Category | Long Code (10DLC) | Toll-Free | Short Code | Additional Requirements | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Alcohol | May be permitted | May be permitted | May be permitted | Age gating required where permitted | | Tobacco | May be permitted | May be permitted | May be permitted | Age gating required where permitted | | Vaping / E-Cigarettes | May be permitted | May be permitted | May be permitted | Age gating required where permitted | | Firearms | May be permitted | May be permitted | May be permitted | Compliance with applicable regulations required | Important Restricted categories require case-by-case evaluation during campaign registration. Meeting technical requirements does not guarantee approval. Verify current eligibility with GHL Customer Care support before configuring campaigns involving restricted content. ## 5Consent and Privacy Violations Otherwise legal content can violate messaging policy when proper consent has not been obtained or privacy requirements are not met. The following consent and privacy violations are prohibited: **Missing or Invalid Consent** — Messaging recipients who have not provided explicit opt-in consent for SMS communications from your business. **Purchased Consent** — Using contact lists purchased from third-party lead providers without obtaining direct consent from recipients for your specific business. **Shared Consent Between Unrelated Businesses** — Transferring opt-in permissions from one business to another unrelated business without recipient authorization. **Ignoring Opt-Out Requests** — Continuing to message recipients after they have requested to stop receiving communications. **Missing Required Disclosures** — Failing to clearly identify your business or provide opt-out instructions in compliance with applicable regulations. Related Topic For detailed guidance on obtaining and documenting valid SMS consent, review GHL Customer Care's A2P opt-in compliance documentation and best practices for consent collection. ## 6Alternative Communication Channels Depending on the business type, content, location, and applicable platform rules, another GHL Customer Care communication channel may be available when SMS or MMS is restricted or prohibited. GHL Customer Care Email may be appropriate for some business types that are restricted on SMS channels. For example, cannabis or CBD businesses operating in jurisdictions where these products are legal may use email for promotional messaging, subject to age verification requirements and local regulations. Important Using a different communication channel does not remove legal, platform, consent, or industry-specific requirements. Confirm that the content is permitted on the alternative channel and that you meet all compliance obligations before sending. ## 7Related Articles - [A2P 10DLC Campaign Approval Best Practices](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/phone-system/a2p-registration/a2p-10dlc-campaign-approval-best-practices) - [A2P 10DLC Campaign Use Cases](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/phone-system/a2p-registration/a2p-10dlc-campaign-use-cases) - [How to Prevent SMS Filtering by Carriers: Error 30007 8](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/phone-system/messaging/how-to-prevent-sms-filtering-by-carriers-error-30007) ## Frequently Asked Questions Q: Does selecting an A2P Campaign use case make restricted content eligible for SMS? No. Campaign use case selection and content compliance are separate evaluations. Choosing a specific use case during A2P registration does not override prohibited or restricted message category policies. Review content restrictions before configuring campaigns. Q: Can I message customers about a first-party debt they owe my business? Potentially, if you are the original creditor communicating directly with your own customer about an existing account balance through a first-party relationship, and you have obtained valid consent and comply with applicable debt communication regulations. Third-party debt collection messaging is prohibited. Q: Can I send cannabis or CBD messages if the products are legal in my state? No. Promotional messaging for cannabis and CBD is prohibited across SMS and MMS channels regardless of local legality. Consider alternative channels such as GHL Customer Care Email, subject to age verification requirements and compliance with local regulations. Q: Can I use consent from a lead provider to send SMS from my business? No. Purchased or shared consent generally cannot be transferred for SMS messaging. SMS consent must be obtained directly by your business for your specific communications. Third-party lead generation using purchased contact lists is prohibited. Q: Are alcohol and tobacco always prohibited on SMS? No. Alcohol and tobacco are restricted categories that may be permitted under specific conditions, including age gating and compliance with carrier-specific requirements. These categories require case-by-case evaluation during campaign registration. Verify current eligibility before configuring campaigns. Q: Do these restrictions apply to toll-free and short code numbers? Yes. Prohibited message categories apply across all number types including long code (10DLC), toll-free, and short code. Some restricted categories may have different eligibility rules depending on number type — review the Restricted Message Categories section for details. Q: Can I use email if SMS is prohibited for my business type? Potentially, depending on the business type, content, and applicable regulations. Using a different communication channel does not automatically remove legal, platform, consent, or industry-specific requirements. Confirm that your content is permitted on the alternative channel and that you meet all compliance obligations before sending. Q: What happens if prohibited traffic is detected on my account? Prohibited traffic can result in carrier filtering, number suspension, financial penalties including T-Mobile Severity-0 fines, or account termination. The specific enforcement action depends on violation severity and carrier policies. Review prohibited and restricted categories carefully before configuring campaigns. --- Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com