Why Your SMS Audit Trail Matters
How proper record-keeping protects your business from TCPA lawsuits.
SMS Audit Trail Importance
If you're sued under TCPA, your audit trail is your defense. Here's what to keep.
What to Document
Consent records - When, how, and what they agreed to
Message logs - Every text sent with timestamp
Opt-out records - When processed and confirmation sent
List sources - Where each number came from
Consent Documentation
For each subscriber, record:
Phone number
Date and time of consent
Method (web form, keyword, etc.)
IP address (for web forms)
Exact language they agreed to
Any confirmation texts sent
How Long to Keep Records
TCPA statute of limitations:
4 years for most claims
Recommendation: Keep records 5+ years
Using Your Audit Trail
In a legal dispute, you can show:
"This customer opted in on [date] via [method]"
"They saw and agreed to [specific disclosure]"
"All messages were sent during legal hours"
"Opt-out was processed within [timeframe]"
Hermes Audit Features
Our platform automatically maintains:
Complete consent history
Message delivery logs
Opt-out processing records
Exportable compliance reports