Texts from PayPal 62 226

Butch_Dingle

Bought a few high value items from eBay last week and paid through PayPal. Shortly after paying, received a text on my mobile from 62 226 asking me to reply with 1 if it was a genuine PayPal transaction or 2 if it wasn't. Its something which my CC provider (MBNA) also do occasionally so wasn't too surprised but nevertheless was still a bit wary. After looking here, it appeared to be a genuine message from payPal so I replied to the texts confirming that the transaction were genuine.

Anyway checking my latest mobile bill from EE, it seems EE have charged me for texts to 62 226 - I guess these are chargeable numbers by EE despite having unlimitedt texts on my EE plan. Not a huge amount (13p per text) but surely Paypal shouldn't be using such numbers to get customers to confirm transactions? If MBNA (and other banks also) can use free/standard charge SMS reply systems, why can't PayPal? Is it worth reporting PayPal to OFCOM because it seems they are profiteering? I guess instead of replying to the text from payPal, you could call them to confirm its a genuine/non-genuine transaction but most people would simply reply to that SMS as its far quicker.

[Deleted User]

Never heard of this but what would happen if you simply didn't answer?

Butch_Dingle

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Never heard of this but what would happen if you simply didn't answer?

I guess PayPal could block the transaction if they didn't receive a response. If you google "Paypal 62 226" there's many people reporting the same, ie wondering if its a genuine message from PayPal. But as someone from PayPal here has confirmed, its a genuine message so I'm not doubting its authenticity. At the very least, PayPal should let customers know that by replying to that message it will cost them >10p and give them the option to confirm the transaction through other methods, eg their app or via their 0800 freephone number. I have a feeling Ofcom might be interested in this...

mobilejunkie

I think I had something similar from paypal once. I seem to recall calling them and avoiding replying to the text.

alanwsg

Quite a lot of people wouldn't be able to reply to that anyway as they're a on an MVNO that doesn't support SMS to short codes like 62226.

I know mine (Plusnet mobile) doesn't, I don't think sky does either.