Lead Compliance Checklist
Before you make your first call, send your first text, or launch your first email — make sure you're compliant. Use this interactive checklist to verify you've covered every legal requirement for buying and working internet leads.
Why Compliance Matters (More Than You Think)
Fines: $500-$1,500 per TCPA violation — per call or text. A single day of calling an unscrubbed list of 200 leads could expose you to $100,000-$300,000 in fines.
Lawsuits: Class action attorneys actively monitor for systematic TCPA violations. One complaint can trigger regulatory scrutiny and legal action that costs far more than any lead campaign could generate.
Reputation: A single compliance violation can damage your professional reputation, jeopardize your license, and destroy trust with prospects and partners.
The good news: Compliance is straightforward once you have a system. This checklist IS that system. Check every box, document everything, and you're protected.
Key Regulations Explained
TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) — Governs all phone calls and text messages to consumers. Requires prior express consent, DNC scrubbing, and calling hour restrictions. For a deep dive, see our DNC compliance guide.
CAN-SPAM Act — Governs commercial email. Requires accurate sender identification, physical mailing address, functional unsubscribe mechanism, and honest subject lines. Violations are up to $51,744 per email.
FCC 1:1 Consent Rule — The FCC's newer ruling requiring one-to-one consent for lead selling. This changes how lead generators collect and transfer consent. See our FCC consent rule guide for how this affects aged leads specifically.
State laws — California (CCPA/CPRA), Florida, New York, and several other states have telemarketing and privacy laws that are stricter than federal rules. Always check the requirements for the lead's state, not just your state.
FAQ
Do I really need to DNC scrub aged leads?
Yes — fines are $500-$1,500 per violation, per call. Aged leads may have added themselves to the DNC registry since the original inquiry. The small cost of scrubbing (pennies per lead) is negligible compared to the risk. Scrub every list, every time, regardless of what your vendor promises.
What if my vendor says leads are pre-scrubbed?
Trust but verify. Even if your vendor scrubs against the National DNC Registry, the list changes daily. A lead that was clean when the vendor scrubbed it could be on the DNC list by the time you call. Best practice: scrub again yourself before every campaign. It's cheap insurance against expensive fines.
Can I get in trouble for calling an aged lead?
Only if you violate TCPA/DNC rules. The consumer gave consent when they filled out the original form, and that consent covers follow-up contact. As long as you DNC scrub, call during legal hours, display your real caller ID, and honor opt-out requests, you are protected. Follow this checklist and document everything.
Get sales tips delivered to your inbox
Join The Lead Brief — weekly insights for sales professionals on converting leads into customers.
Compliant and Ready? Get Aged Leads Now
- 1DNC-scrubbed data from a trusted vendor.
- 2Documented consent and source transparency.
- 3Return policy for bad data — your compliance safety net.
Use Promo Code: BILLRICE to get 10% off — every order!