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unsolicited texts, short codes
Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 11:57 pmI got a text: "Hey, is this still [.... .....]'s number?"
I typed a reply saying No, and that I've had this number for 12 years, so maybe they mis-dialed.
(Maybe it is inappropriate and old-fashioned to use the word "mis-dialed". Should one say "mis-typed" instead? But that's ambiguous. You'd need to say "mis-typed the number". So using "mis-dialed" seems simpler, even though most phones haven't had dials in a long long time.)
When I clicked to send the Reply, Android showed the message "Messages would like to send a message to 67329. This may cause charges on your mobile account".
That's when I noticed that the text hadn't come from a normal 10-digit phone number. So I clicked Cancel, and searched online for "67329". It seems to be this company: https://messagemedia.com/
Whoever sent the message must be using that company's texting service rather than sending texts from their own phone number. So it's probably a collection agency.
But still, Android's message confused me (could replying to that text cause me to get charged money? Could it be a scam?), so I looked up more info about it. Those 5 digit numbers are called "short codes", and are treated as potentially "premium SMS", which can incur extra charges. But a lot of companies use them for sending messages, and I've received texts from those kind of numbers before, without ever being charged for it.
So how does one end up getting charged? If it is really a premium SMS, can simply replying to an innocuous sounding text like the one I received subscribe you to a premium service? How could one ever be sure if it is safe to reply to such a text or not?
I've wondered about those kind of text numbers before, when watching TV programs like American Idol or what-not, that tell you to send a text to this number or that number, to vote for contestants. Or TV ads asking for donations. Or radio ads. Those may sometimes mention that there will be a charge, but I'm not sure. Is there any warning of what the exact charge will be, or confirmation that you really want to accept the charge, when you send such a text?
And is it even possible to incur such a charge or sign up for a premium service, if you're on a pre-paid phone plan? How would they charge you the money?
..
Oh, by the way.... Several web pages I found gave instructions on how to enable or disable Premium SMS (which I think is what happens when you click the "Remember my choice" checkbox on the Android warning message). But the menu selections they listed didn't match my phone (Android 7.1.1).
This is how to get to it on my phone:
Settings - Apps - [ click Gear icon at the top of the page ] - Advanced / Special Access - Premium SMS access.
I typed a reply saying No, and that I've had this number for 12 years, so maybe they mis-dialed.
(Maybe it is inappropriate and old-fashioned to use the word "mis-dialed". Should one say "mis-typed" instead? But that's ambiguous. You'd need to say "mis-typed the number". So using "mis-dialed" seems simpler, even though most phones haven't had dials in a long long time.)
When I clicked to send the Reply, Android showed the message "Messages would like to send a message to 67329. This may cause charges on your mobile account".
That's when I noticed that the text hadn't come from a normal 10-digit phone number. So I clicked Cancel, and searched online for "67329". It seems to be this company: https://messagemedia.com/
Whoever sent the message must be using that company's texting service rather than sending texts from their own phone number. So it's probably a collection agency.
But still, Android's message confused me (could replying to that text cause me to get charged money? Could it be a scam?), so I looked up more info about it. Those 5 digit numbers are called "short codes", and are treated as potentially "premium SMS", which can incur extra charges. But a lot of companies use them for sending messages, and I've received texts from those kind of numbers before, without ever being charged for it.
So how does one end up getting charged? If it is really a premium SMS, can simply replying to an innocuous sounding text like the one I received subscribe you to a premium service? How could one ever be sure if it is safe to reply to such a text or not?
I've wondered about those kind of text numbers before, when watching TV programs like American Idol or what-not, that tell you to send a text to this number or that number, to vote for contestants. Or TV ads asking for donations. Or radio ads. Those may sometimes mention that there will be a charge, but I'm not sure. Is there any warning of what the exact charge will be, or confirmation that you really want to accept the charge, when you send such a text?
And is it even possible to incur such a charge or sign up for a premium service, if you're on a pre-paid phone plan? How would they charge you the money?
..
Oh, by the way.... Several web pages I found gave instructions on how to enable or disable Premium SMS (which I think is what happens when you click the "Remember my choice" checkbox on the Android warning message). But the menu selections they listed didn't match my phone (Android 7.1.1).
This is how to get to it on my phone:
Settings - Apps - [ click Gear icon at the top of the page ] - Advanced / Special Access - Premium SMS access.