Call Recording Disclosure Script

Overview

Script templates for disclosing call recording to consumers at the beginning of telemarketing and customer service calls. This resource addresses the intersection of TCPA compliance, state recording consent laws, and telemarketing best practices.

Federal Requirements

Federal law (18 U.S.C. 2511) permits recording telephone calls with the consent of at least one party to the conversation. However, the TCPA and TSR impose additional requirements for telemarketing calls including mandatory disclosures, opt-out mechanisms, and caller identification.

State Recording Consent Laws

States fall into two categories for recording consent:

• One-Party Consent States: Only one party (which can be the recording party) needs to know the call is being recorded. Most states follow this rule.
• Two-Party (All-Party) Consent States: All parties must consent to recording. States include California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington.

Required Disclosures

For outbound telemarketing calls, the TSR requires the following disclosures promptly at the beginning of the call:

• The identity of the seller on whose behalf the call is being made
• That the purpose of the call is to sell goods or services
• The nature of the goods or services being offered
• If applicable, that the call is being recorded (required in two-party consent states)

Implementation Guidelines

1. Determine which states your calls originate from and terminate in
2. Apply the more restrictive recording consent standard when cross-state calls are involved
3. Include recording disclosures in all call scripts and IVR systems
4. Train agents on proper disclosure delivery and documentation
5. Implement call recording retention policies aligned with regulatory requirements
6. Establish access controls for recorded calls
7. Create procedures for responding to recording access requests

Compliance Monitoring

Regular review of recorded calls is essential for maintaining TCPA compliance. Monitor for:

• Proper delivery of required disclosures at the beginning of each call
• Correct handling of DNC requests during calls
• Compliance with calling hour restrictions
• Accurate representation of products and services
• Proper opt-out mechanism functionality

Record Retention

Call recordings should be retained for at least 4 years (the TCPA statute of limitations) plus additional time for any pending litigation. Some states may require longer retention periods. Implement a documented retention and destruction schedule.

Best Practices

• Always disclose recording at the beginning of every call regardless of state requirements
• Use IVR systems to deliver consistent recording disclosures before agent connection
• Maintain a matrix of state-by-state recording consent requirements
• Document recording consent in your CRM or call management system
• Conduct monthly quality assurance reviews of recorded calls for compliance