is 1232 a genuine ee text number?

donnajunkie

i got a text from the above offering a free £5 credit if i text back. is it genuine?
it would be so much easier if networks had a list of their genuine numbers on their websites to save people from worrying.

diamonds

https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=opera&q=ee+1232+free+£5&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8


Seems random - but thats not unknown for EE, they should always use 150 in my opinion. Prob get worse under BT.

Ian011

In general (on mobile networks), other than the well-known numbers from 100 to 119 (not all of which are allocated) and 123, special call and text numbers starting 1, 2, 3, 4 or 9 are run by or are specific to that network.

Numbers starting 5, 6, 7 or 8 are mobile shortcodes run by third party operators, e.g. voting on a TV show, etc.

donnajunkie

Ian011 wrote: »

In general (on mobile networks), other than the well-known numbers from 100 to 119 (not all of which are allocated) and 123, special call and text numbers stating 1, 2, 3, 4 or 9 are run by or are specific to that network.

Numbers starting 5, 6, 7 or 8 are mobile shortcodes run by third party operators, e.g. voting on a TV show, etc.

Sorry I might be being a bit dense but does this mean it's safe and can't be a scam?

Ian011

The fact that it is a number starting 1, 2, 3, 4 or 9 makes it far less likely to be a service operated by a third party.

Whether this particular mobile network is scamming their own customers. I couldn't possibly say.

dvs

We used to use an sms provider at work to communicate to customers and we were able to choose what was displayed as the sender name so even if it said 'EE' or '1232' you couldn't be sure it was genuine.

Ian011

dvs wrote: »

We used to use an sms provider at work to communicate to customers and we were able to choose what was displayed as the sender name so even if it said 'EE' or '1232' you couldn't be sure it was genuine.

While it is possible to show a fake number as being the sender, if the message asks people to text that number back, they will be unable to do so.

donnajunkie

It's sorted Now. Ee have told me it's genuine.

dvs

Ian011 wrote: »

While it is possible to show a fake number as being the sender, if the message asks people to text that number back, they will be unable to do so.

Agree but the message could have a link or ask the user to call a number. Quite a few of EE's message come through as 'EE' which you can't respond to. They often say to call a number instead (admittedly, usually 150).

Ian011

dvs wrote: »

Agree but the message could have a link or ask the user to call a number. Quite a few of EE's message come through as 'EE' which you can't respond to. They often say to call a number instead (admittedly, usually 150).

If you're asked to call a shortcode starting 1, 2, 3, 4 or 9 (other than the widely recognised 101, 105, 111, 112, 116, 118, 999) you can be reasonably sure that the number is controlled by the network.

If you're asked to call
- an access code or shortcode starting 5, 6, 7 or 8,
- a personal number starting 070,
- a mobile number starting 071-075, 07624 or 077-079 or
- a premium rate number starting 084, 087 or 09,
then it is very likely to be a scam.