SMS Terms & Conditions

SMS and Telephone Communications Agreement

By providing your mobile telephone number and opting into the Legal Online Directory SMS program, you are entering into a legally binding agreement regarding communications from us and our network of legal service providers. Legal Online Directory is a lead-generation marketplace, not a law firm. We facilitate connections between consumers and third-party attorneys, law firms, and legal funding partners.

This agreement is designed to comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227; the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), 16 C.F.R. Part 310; and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules regarding one-to-one prior express written consent (47 C.F.R. § 64.1200).

1. Scope of Consent and One-to-One Authorization

In accordance with the FCC’s Second Report and Order (FCC 23-107) and the subsequent amendments to 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200, we do not utilize "blanket consent" for marketing partner lists. When you submit your information through our directory to find an attorney, you are providing "prior express written consent" to be contacted by Legal Online Directory and specific, identified legal service providers through the following methods:

• Autodialed text messages (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).
• Artificial or prerecorded voice messages.
• Automated telephone dialing systems (ATDS).

Your consent applies to the specific attorney or law firm you selected during the intake process, or the limited number of targeted providers displayed to you at the time of consent. This consent is not a condition of purchasing any property, goods, or services.

2. Message Frequency and Nature of Content

Message frequency varies based on your interaction with our directory and the status of your legal inquiry. You may receive high-frequency messaging during the initial "matching" phase, followed by periodic updates. Content generally includes:

• Lead Verification: Codes to verify your identity and phone number.
• Case Matching: Alerts when an attorney or law firm has reviewed your inquiry and wishes to speak with you.
• Referral Updates: Notifications regarding legal funding partners or document preparation services if requested.
• Affiliate Promotions: Occasional offers for ancillary legal services, provided you have opted into marketing communications.

3. Compliance with Federal and State "Mini-TCPA" Laws

Legal Online Directory operates in compliance with both federal mandates and increasing state-level restrictions on telemarketing. We adhere to the most restrictive standards where state laws differ from the TCPA:

We respect all state-specific "quiet hours," generally restricting automated messaging to between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM in the recipient's local time zone, or more restrictive windows where required by law.

4. Revocation of Consent (Opt-Out Instructions)

Under 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200(a)(3), you have the right to revoke your consent to receive SMS communications at any time. We utilize a "one-to-one" revocation model.

• Standard Opt-Out: Text STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT to our short code or long code number at any time.
• Confirmation: You will receive a one-time confirmatory text message acknowledging your opt-out. Following this, you will receive no further messages unless you re-initiate a request on our platform.
• Scope: Opting out of Legal Online Directory SMS prevents further messages from the directory platform. If your lead has already been sold or referred to an attorney, you may need to opt-out separately with that specific law firm, as they maintain their own compliance obligations.
• Revocation via Other Channels: While SMS is the most efficient method, you may also revoke consent by contacting us through our Contact page.

5. Technical Requirements and Fees

To participate in our SMS program, you must have a wireless device capable of two-way messaging, be a subscriber to a participating mobile service provider, and be a resident of the United States.

• Carrier Charges: Legal Online Directory does not charge for its SMS program. However, "Message and Data Rates May Apply" according to your specific mobile carrier plan and the terms of your wireless service agreement.
• Carrier Liability: Mobile carriers (e.g., T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T) are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Delivery is subject to effective transmission from your network operator.

6. Data Privacy and Use of Information

The data we collect through SMS interactions (including your mobile number, time and date of messages, and message content) is subject to our Privacy Policy and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the CPRA, Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.100 et seq.

We do not sell your SMS opt-in data or consent to third parties for their independent marketing purposes. Your mobile information is used strictly to facilitate the legal referrals you have requested. We implement "Global Privacy Control" (GPC) signals and honor "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" requests as required by state laws in CA, VA, CO, CT, and UT.

7. Attorney Professional Responsibility and Disclosures

Legal Online Directory is a "legal optimizer" and lead generator. Our SMS communications are intended to be compliant with ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct 7.1 through 7.3 regarding attorney advertising and solicitation.

• Not a Law Firm: Receiving a text from us does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship is only formed when you sign a formal retainer agreement with a licensed attorney.
• Referral Fees: We may receive a fee for the transmission of your data or lead information to an attorney. In states where attorney fee-sharing with non-lawyers is restricted (pursuant to ABA Model Rule 5.4), we structure our compensation as a flat "advertising fee" or "participation fee" rather than a percentage of the legal fee, unless state specific rules (such as in Arizona or Utah) allow for alternative business structures.

8. Prohibited Content

Users are prohibited from using the platform to send any content that is:

• Unlawful, defamatory, or libelous.
• In violation of the CAN-SPAM Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 7701-7713) or the TCPA.
• Intended to bypass carrier filters (e.g., through "snowshoeing" or rotating numbers).

9. Arbitration and Class Action Waiver

To the extent permitted by law, any dispute related to the SMS program shall be resolved through individual binding arbitration, rather than in court. You waive your right to participate in a class-action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration regarding any alleged TCPA or FTSA violations. This provision is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).

10. Contact

If you have questions regarding this SMS policy, need assistance, or wish to exercise your data rights (including "Right to Know" or "Right to Delete" under state privacy laws), please visit our Contact page.