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TCPA & Phone Data Glossary

By — 10 years in telecommunications and marketing · Updated 2026-07-29

What do TCPA and phone data terms mean?

This glossary defines the terms that decide whether an outbound call is lawful and whether it will connect — from prior express written consent and TCPA litigators to line type, the Do Not Call Registry and the Telemarketing Sales Rule. Each entry answers one question directly, with sources.

Outbound calling has a vocabulary problem: the terms that carry the most legal weight are the ones used most loosely. "Scrubbing", "consent", "robocall" and "litigator" all mean something specific, and the gap between the casual and the legal meaning is where expensive mistakes live.

Each entry below answers one question directly and cites its sources. Start with the TCPA compliance guide if you want the whole picture in one read.

Terms

DNC SANThe account number you need to access the Do Not Call Registry. Express Written ConsentThe four things a TCPA consent form has to say. Line TypeMobile, landline, VoIP — and why the area code can't tell you. Reassigned Numbers DatabaseThe FCC database, its safe harbour, and its two blind spots. RobocallWhat legally counts as a robocall — and what doesn't. TCPA LitigatorWho serial filers are, and why technical checks never catch them. TCPA Violations & FinesWhat a violation costs, and who can collect it. Telemarketing Sales RuleThe FTC rule that sits alongside the TCPA — and differs from it.

Longer guides

TCPA Compliance in 2026Consent, revocation, penalties and a working checklist. What Is Phone Number Scrubbing?The five checks, what each removes, and what it costs.
Not legal advice. These definitions summarise publicly available federal rules for general information. TCPA and state telemarketing law change frequently and apply differently depending on your business and consent records. Consult qualified counsel before relying on any of it.

Founder, NumberBroom · 10 years in telecommunications and marketing

Cameron Hoffman is the founder of NumberBroom and has spent 10 years working in telecommunications and marketing. He built NumberBroom after repeatedly watching outbound teams dial purchased lists that were full of dead numbers, landlines and TCPA litigators.

Put the definitions to work.

NumberBroom validates every number at the carrier level and removes known TCPA litigators in one pass over your CSV. $0.044 per row, no subscription.

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