CityGro is a service that allows businesses to engage with consenting customers through SMS and email. CityGro does not send messages, but rather provides the ability to do so themselves (much like Gmail). CityGro also helps businesses grow their marketing lists by providing business tools that foster the proper collection of consenting consumers.

In general, you need to give your consent to any organization who sends you a text message. However, the method of giving your consent might change based on what kind of text message the organization is sending. Marketing messages are the most strict in terms of consent and require a written form of consent such as checking a box, signing a form, etc. Transactional methods (such as a receipt text) may not require written consent, but might assume consent simply by providing your phone number at the point of sale. For more information on texting regulations, click here.

Text messaging is a great way for a business to engage with its customers. When sending marketing messages, a business is required to get customer consent prior to sending the text. This is both a requirement and a best practice since customers who sign up to receive text messages are much more likely to take action than customers who don’t sign up. Once proper consent is received, a business can text its customers with updates, promotions or to get feedback on its service.

To learn more about CityGro and the tools we offer, click here.

To learn more about texting regulations, click here.

To report a business for misuse of a texting platform:

1. Report the misuse directly to the sender (not the service provider). Often times direct message to the sender will get the sender’s attention and allow them to right the wrong.
2. Report the sender to the service provider. The service provider can often be found by replying HELP to the message received or by searching the sender’s phone number in Google. Remember, the service provider is not the sender of the message, but should be able to shut off access to the sender’s account.
3. Report the business to the FTC by clicking here.

Businesses who are found non-compliant with regards to text marketing regulations can be fined up to $1500 per message sent! This is often conditioned upon the sender’s efforts to be in compliance and whether they knowingly continued to be non-compliant. For more information on TCPA and CTIA texting regulations, please click here.

If you are receiving unwanted text messages, or no longer want to receive messages, there are some steps you can take to remove yourself from the list.

1. Remove yourself from any legitimate text marketing service by replying the keyword STOP.
2. Contact the sender to see why you have not been properly opted out.
3. Report the sender to the service provider which can often be found by replying HELP.
4. If you continue to receive messages, you can report the sender to the FTC here.