Prohibited Third Party Collections

Why This Rejection Happens

"Debt Collection" is a restricted vertical on 10DLC. Carriers only allow First Party collections (the original creditor, like a bank or utility company). Third Party debt collection agencies (who buy debt or collect on behalf of others) are strictly prohibited from using 10DLC for debt recovery messages.

• Agency name in samples ("Smith Recovery Services").
• "We are attempting to collect a debt" disclosure in samples.
• Collecting for "various clients" mentioned in description.
• Sending messages about "past due accounts" from a non-creditor domain.

Root Cause Analysis

Primary Triggers

• Aggressive Content: Third-party collection messages often generate high spam complaint rates and blocks from consumers, leading carriers to ban the entire category.
• Misidentification: Even if you are the original creditor (e.g., a Dentist collecting unpaid bills), if your language sounds like a "debt collector," the automated filters may flag you as Third Party.

First vs. Third Party Distinction

Step-by-Step Remediation

Self-Identify Honest Status

If you are a collection agency, you cannot proceed with 10DLC for debt collection messages. You must use voice or mail. Attempting to disguise your nature will result in fines.

Clarify for First Party

If you are a dentist, gym, or utility company collecting your OWN bills, edit your description to say: "First-party account alerts and billing reminders for existing customers of [Brand Name]. No third-party collections."

Pre-Resubmission Checklist

• I confirm I am the original creditor (First Party).
• My sample messages identify my brand clearly.
• I have removed aggressive "debt collection" legal disclosures if not required for First Party.

Vertical Scan

Ensure you aren't flagged as Third Party.

Collections Agency?

10DLC is likely closed to you. Consider voice or email channels.

What reviewers check for code 7010

Code 7010 is reported as "Prohibited Third Party Collections". Third-party debt collection is prohibited on most 10DLC routes because collectors message consumers who never opted in with them. First-party collection by the original creditor to its own customers may be permitted with proper consent. Reviewers reject campaigns where an agency collects debts on behalf of others.

Where code 7010 comes from

Code 7010 is a campaign review reason code used to report a specific deficiency found during manual campaign vetting. CSPs surface it in the rejection notice alongside any other codes found in the same review, so check for companion codes before resubmitting. It is marked Critical: it describes content or a business model carriers do not permit, so the campaign cannot be approved until that content is removed, not just reworded.

Fix and verify before resubmitting

1. Confirm whether the sender is the original creditor or a third-party collector.
2. Third-party collectors should not register 10DLC collection campaigns; use other compliant channels.
3. First-party creditors should describe payment reminders to their own customers with documented consent.
4. Comply with the FDCPA and Regulation F, including opt-out handling and time-of-day limits.
5. Remove threatening or deceptive language from samples.
6. Resubmit with a note that references code 7010 (Prohibited Third Party Collections) and lists each change made.

Sample resubmission note

Many CSPs let you add a note for the reviewer when you resubmit. A short, specific note shows what changed and speeds up the second review. Example for Studio Juniper Salon:

Studio Juniper Salon corrected the deficiency reported as code 7010 (Prohibited Third Party Collections). Changes made: confirm whether the sender is the original creditor or a third-party collector; third-party collectors should not register 10DLC collection campaigns; use other compliant channels; first-party creditors should describe payment reminders to their own customers with documented consent. All URLs, keywords and auto-replies were re-tested from an external network before this resubmission, and the campaign text now matches the live opt-in exactly.

Common mistakes that keep code 7010 coming back

• Registering an agency's collection program under the client's brand.
• Using samples with legal threats or pressure tactics.
• Assuming Regulation F texting rules override carrier policy.

Related rejection codes

• Code 2131: Verbal Script Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2128: Opt-in Form Missing HELP Instructions
• Code 2127: Verbal Script Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2126: Opt-in Form Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2124: Verbal Script Missing Frequency Disclosure
• Code 2123: Verbal Script Missing Message Type

Frequently asked questions about code 7010

Can a business send payment reminders to its own customers?

Yes. First-party billing and payment reminders with consent are generally allowed under account notification use cases.

Why does code 7010 apply to agencies?

The consumer's consent was given to the original creditor, not the agency, so carriers treat agency texts as unsolicited.

Legal Disclaimer: Debt collection is heavily regulated by the FDCPA. Carriers add an extra layer of restrictions (Code 7010) banning third-party SMS collection entirely.

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