When I signed up for this service the entire motivation behind it was preventing phones on my account from billing ringers, games, etc to the account (three of the four phones are Android based and therefore the users can use their own credit cards to pay directly for these things), and also to prevent what can only be called "cramming". My definition of cramming is having charges (usually 9.99/month) show up on the phone bill saying things like "premium messaging" for things like horoscopes, sports scores, etc. when you (the user) didn't sign up for them. One of the biggest reasons these charges may occur is somehow the company gets your number, it gets put on the list, you are signed up unless you send a "STOP" message to them and then sometimes they stop (after the first 9.99 charge which isn't reversed) or (more often) they use that as a sign that the number can receive messages and you get "signed up" for more of those message services.
Since I signed up with the intention of not having any surprises on my bill (i.e. I want a stable bill EVERY MONTH) can someone please explain to me why notices from Banks and Credit Unions are included in the "blacklisted" shortcodes list? My understanding is most banks provide this service free of charge and those that actually charge for this service don't need to bill the cell phone carrier for the charges as they have access to your actual bank account and could charge for this service as a direct account debit for each use or per month.
I am trying to use 2 factor authentication with my credit union and it just won't work. I didn't get charged for this message in any form with my previous carrier and now the message just won't come through at all.
Also, My Coke Rewards states in their terms of service for mobile messaging:
The My Coke Rewards text-messaging service is provided without charge, outside of the standard text messaging and data rates for text messages sent and received from a participant’s handset according to the terms and conditions in their wireless calling plan (only Message and Data Rates May Apply). The My Coke Rewards text-messaging service may be subject to fees and charges imposed by a participant’s wireless service provider under their mobile plan. Text messaging and wireless service are not available in all areas. Not all handsets may be supported.
Supported Carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile ®, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Nextel, Boost, ALLTEL, Cincinnati Bell, U.S. Cellular®, Virgin Mobile, and Cellular South.
And yet... whenever I attempt to send a message to "2653" (their shortcode), I get the following message: "Free Msg: Unable to send message - Message Blocking is active."
If this service is intended to prevent 3rd party charges then why is it blocking messages from content providers that send them for FREE (as in only the normal SMS costs are incurred without an "unlimited plan")?
I don't want the ability for people/companies to add charges to my mobile phone bill but I also want the ability to send messages to providers that do not charge for these messages. Does this mean T-Mobile might not be the ideal carrier I thought it was?