Beware the recycled short code

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Beware the recycled short code

Jama

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#12359 13-Mar-2007 13:18

I am testing a device and needed to make sure it could text a 3 or 4 digit short code. I couldn't think of one so searched 'SMS short code' under NZ on Google. A cursory glance down the list revealed '1212' as something related to Rugby so I sent a 'hi' text to see what the response would be.

Well the response was 'thanks for your donation to the Auckland rescue helicopter, $3.00 has been deducted from your account '.

Lucky it wasn't $30!

Filterer

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#63575 13-Mar-2007 14:32

At least it went to a good cause rather then a "text scam"
Its always funny when we have to occasionally have to dig through the database, seeing the texts that have come in from people txtn the wrong shortcode after midnight on friday/saturday and it comes to us instead.

Give me free credit
IOU
etcetc

mostly its incoherent babble between a drunk and a computer responding that it doest understand. You'd be amazed how long these conversations can go on for

pɐǝɥ sıɥ uo ƃuıpuɐʇs

paradoxsm

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#63598 13-Mar-2007 16:59

I wouldn't scoff at that. I'm a sponsor myself :-) if it was "tahnks for your subscription to XYZ . SCAM then i'd be seriously @#$%^& off. I wonder if the SPCA have a donation number also? I might offload some of the credit on these 025's.

Jama

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#63599 13-Mar-2007 17:08

Yes, but I live in Wellington so a long way for the helicopter to fly if I am in trouble. What is needed is some sort of web site that has a list of all the active short codes and what they are currently assigned to. I think I will make a submission to government along those lines. I am sure I could get Ernie Newman on board. Just imagine (for arguments sake) that you go to use a short code that has been reassigned and you didn't know it and suddenly you are getting a $5 ring tone per/day as opposed to the SPCA that you thought you were donating money to. Sounds like a story for Fair Go.

Filterer

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#63622 13-Mar-2007 18:39

However you would need to take into account that note all numbers are for use by the public, some organizations will have shortcodes setup that they might not want publicised, even if this website said private by these private numbers people would then know they are in use even if it didn't sat who by or if it cost etc.

Would however work if the website only listed current public shortcodes, it would also have to be separated by network, shortcodes can be setup to work on one network but not the other

pɐǝɥ sıɥ uo ƃuıpuɐʇs

Felix

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#63743 14-Mar-2007 21:04

come on Jama, you know I gots da good stuff... can hook you up brother... first ones free... you know you want it ;-)

Jama

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#63747 14-Mar-2007 21:26

Since I left the family business Felix I am missing the luvin. Hook my up brother and don't be shy.