Why This Rejection Happens
The reviewer or automated crawler identified a phone number input field on your website (e.g., Contact Us, Checkout, Newsletter) but found no accompanying legal disclosure text.
Common Triggers: Contact forms requesting "Phone Number" without a disclaimer, or "optional" phone fields that lack consent language.
Root Cause Analysis
Primary Triggers
- Silent Collection: Asking for a phone number for "shipping updates" without explicitly mentioning SMS/Text messaging.
- Buried Terms: Hiding the consent language inside a "Terms of Service" hyperlink rather than displaying it near the submit button.
- Legacy Forms: Older "Contact Us" pages that were never updated for 10DLC compliance.
Required Elements
| Element | Required Language (Example) | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Name | MyCompany | User must know who is messaging them. |
| Message Frequency | Message frequency varies | Sets expectations for volume. |
| Fee Disclosure | Msg & data rates may apply | Mandatory carrier requirement. |
| Help/Stop Info | Text HELP for help, STOP to cancel | Clear opt-out instructions. |
Step-by-Step Remediation
Add Disclosure Text Immediately Above/Below "Submit"
Place a static disclosure block near the Call-to-Action (CTA) button. It must be visible to the un-aided eye (no tiny fonts).
Compliant Example
By clicking "Subscribe", I agree to receive recurring marketing text messages from [Brand Name] at the number provided. Consent is not a condition to purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. View our Privacy Policy.
Non-Compliant Example
We respect your privacy.
Update Privacy Policy Links
Ensure the disclosure text includes a direct hyperlink to your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Broken links here often trigger Code 7101.
MyTCRPlus Tools That Can Help
Consent Language Validator
Copy/paste your website disclaimer to check for missing required phrases.
Remediation Focus Package
Get specific templates for "Contact Us" vs "Checkout" page compliance.
Pre-Resubmission Checklist
Related Rejection Codes
Still Not Sure About Your Language?
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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes regarding 10DLC compliance and does not constitute legal advice. TCPA regulations carry significant penalties; consult legal counsel for specific guidance.
What reviewers check for code 803
For web opt-ins the reviewer opens the URL you supplied and inspects the form where the phone number is collected. The consent language must sit next to the phone field or the unchecked consent checkbox, in readable type, not hidden behind a link or in a footer. The reviewer checks that the form names the brand, describes the messages, states frequency, includes "Msg & data rates may apply", gives HELP and STOP instructions and links to the privacy policy and SMS terms. A checkbox must be optional and unchecked by default for marketing consent.
For code 803 (Website Missing Opt-in Language), the missing piece is the full disclosure set. Every opt-in point needs the complete disclosure set in one place: the brand name, a description of the messages, message frequency, "Msg & data rates may apply", HELP instructions, STOP instructions, and links to the privacy policy and SMS terms. Missing any one of these, or spreading them across separate pages, fails review.
Where code 803 comes from
Code 803 is a vetting rejection reason applied during brand or campaign review and passed back to you by your CSP. It identifies the specific deficiency the reviewer found, so fixing exactly that item is the fastest route to approval. It is marked High severity: it blocks approval, but it is fully fixable by correcting the submission and resubmitting.
Example: web opt-in form for a physical therapy clinic
The example below uses a fictional physical therapy clinic, Motion Works PT, to show the difference between a submission that triggers code 803 and one that passes.
Rejected:
[ ] Sign me up for texts.
Approved:
[ ] I agree to receive appointment reminders and home-exercise tips from Motion Works PT by text at the number provided. Up to 6 msgs/month. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help. Reply STOP to opt out. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Privacy Policy: motionworkspt.com/privacy | SMS Terms: motionworkspt.com/sms-terms
Fix and verify before resubmitting
- Load the opt-in URL in a private browser window on a phone and confirm the form is visible without logging in.
- Add the full disclosure set where code 803 flagged it, using the approved wording for Motion Works PT's program shown above.
- Check that the consent text is adjacent to the phone field and at least as legible as the surrounding copy.
- Confirm the marketing checkbox is unchecked by default and not required to submit the form.
- Click the privacy policy and terms links from the form and confirm both load over HTTPS.
- Submit a test number and confirm the confirmation text arrives with the same disclosures.
- Resubmit with a note that references code 803 and quotes the corrected full disclosure set.
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 Motion Works PT:
Motion Works PT corrected the deficiency reported as code 803 (Website Missing Opt-in Language). Changes made: load the opt-in URL in a private browser window on a phone and confirm the form is visible without logging in; add the full disclosure set where code 803 flagged it, using the approved wording for Motion Works PT's program shown above; check that the consent text is adjacent to the phone field and at least as legible as the surrounding copy. 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 803 coming back
- Showing some disclosures on the form and the rest only in the terms page.
- Describing the opt-in in the campaign but providing no public page or attachment that shows it.
- Using different wording in the campaign than on the live opt-in.
- Fixing the form on desktop while the mobile layout still hides the disclosure.
Related rejection codes
- Code 30909: Call-to-Action Verification Issue
- Code 861: CTA Flows Non-compliant
- Code 806: CTA Location Unclear
- Code 30893: Invalid Sample Messages
- Code 2128: Opt-in Form Missing HELP Instructions
- Code 2126: Opt-in Form Missing STOP Instructions
- Code 2139: Form Missing Phone Input Field
- Code 2129: Attachment Missing Opt-in Form
Frequently asked questions about code 803
Does code 803 mean the whole campaign is non-compliant?
No. Code 803 points to one gap: the full disclosure set in your web opt-in form. Fix that gap, check the rest of the submission against the same checklist, and resubmit. Reviewers often list only the first deficiency they find, so a full self-check prevents a second rejection.
Where exactly should the full disclosure set appear?
Put the disclosure directly under the phone number field or beside the SMS consent checkbox. Every opt-in point needs the complete disclosure set in one place: the brand name, a description of the messages, message frequency, "Msg & data rates may apply", HELP instructions, STOP instructions, and links to the privacy policy and SMS terms.
Do I fix my live web opt-in form or only the campaign text?
The live page. Reviewers open the URL and read the form itself, so the change must be published before you resubmit.