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Configure Your SMS Numbers

Why a Dedicated Number?​

Unlike email, SMS requires a dedicated local Canadian phone number for your business. This number is used to:

  • Send SMS reminders to your customers
  • Receive SMS replies in your Paymely inbox
  • Ensure CASL compliance (customers see your number, not a generic one)

Get an SMS Number​

  1. In the sidebar, click Settings
  2. Go to the SMS Numbers tab
  3. Click Assign New Number
  4. Select the desired area code (e.g. 514 for Montreal, 416 for Toronto)
  5. Choose a number from the available list
  6. Confirm the assignment

Note: Number assignment uses your subscription quota. Check your limits in Settings → Billing.

Set a Default Number​

If you have multiple numbers:

  1. In the SMS Numbers tab, click ⋮ next to the desired number
  2. Select Set as default
  3. This number will be used automatically for all SMS sends

The SMS Inbox​

When a customer replies to an SMS, their reply appears in SMS Inbox in the sidebar.

SMS Inbox Features​

  • Conversations: Each customer has their own SMS conversation
  • Full history: All sent and received messages
  • Quick reply: Respond directly from the interface
  • Link to customer: If the number is not recognized, manually associate it with a customer

Notification Badge​

A red badge appears on the SMS Inbox icon in the sidebar when you have unread messages.

CASL Compliance​

Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) requires explicit consent before sending commercial SMS messages.

What Paymely does automatically​

  • Each SMS includes an opt-out option (STOP)
  • Customers who reply STOP are automatically excluded from future sends
  • A compliance log is maintained for each customer

What you must do​

  • Obtain your customers' consent before adding them to an SMS schedule
  • Document that consent (signed form, confirmation email, etc.)
  • Do not bypass opt-outs

Important: Paymely cannot verify that you have obtained consent. Legal responsibility lies with you.

SMS Health Check​

Go to Settings → SMS Health to see:

  • The status of each number (active, suspended, error)
  • Send statistics (delivered, failed, unsubscribed)
  • Provider alerts and delivery issues

Customer Phone Numbers​

Paymely validates that customer numbers are valid Canadian phone numbers. Accepted formats:

  • (514) 555-0100
  • 514-555-0100
  • 5145550100
  • +1 514 555 0100

A warning is displayed if the number appears to be non-Canadian — SMS will not be sent.