Screenshots

Earlier today, I blogged of a Screenshots reader who responded to yesterday's blog entry: SMS Scam: Hidden Agenda & Anti-JeffOoi.com.

Beware of short code 22564, the reader said.

This morning, I alerted Screenshots readers that we are now no longer facing just a case of 3xxxx short codes that rogue CPs used to scam the mobile users.

This is because, as has been pointed out, the 2xxxx are short codes are reserved for Celcos. When junk SMS are spammed via 2xxxx and NOT 3xxxx, industry insiders I consulted sais this is a living proof that even Celco-centric short codes are now being abused in SMS Spoofing and Short Code Masking, which are fraudulent acts.

Swiftly, another Screenshots reader responded to the matter, which I received hours ago. It is equally revealing. I contacted him to discuss the issue, and to find out which Celco actually owned the 22564 short code.

Here's a recap of what he experimented and discovered by testing out to "interact" with 22564.

Basically, 2xxxx short-codes are Telco-owned.

Btw, the fastest way to know a short-code owner is, send "Help" to the said shortcode.

What was interesting in the test that i did by merely sending "help" to the said short-code, I now appear to be subscribed to their MBlog services!!!

The response i received to my Help request was:

1/2: Welcome to MBlog! Go to http://www.mblog.com.my via WAP and WEB. Login via WEB with your mobile no and password. Your password is xxxxxxx

2/2: By registering for MBlog, you have agreed to be bound by Maxis Terms as specified in http://www.maxis.com.my/personal/general/tnc_mblog.asp

This is ridiculous! If a 3rd party CP were to do that, the short-code would be suspended!

Another blatant double standard practice brought to you by an esteemed Malaysian corporation... Irrespective if I was charged or not, this is ethically wrong!

But then again, ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility seem to be water and oil these days...

Shalom!

Meanwhile, reader SS Quah wrote in from Penang telling us the following:

Jeff,

I received a new variant of SMS spam today. It's not the message that I'm curious about; it's the Sender's ID. Not the regular 3xxxxx code but 222000020000. I don't know what to make of it. Perhaps you'd like to take a look:

FREE: Hi, Lonely? Need love? Find your love here! Type LOVE to 32100. (Boring? Inginkan teman? Temui cinta & caranya disini! Taip CINTA ke 32100). Free Register.

Sender:
222000020000
Sent:
12:16:10
16-06-2007

I contacted Quah to obtain further information. He said he has already complained to MCMC.

Movie tickets and goodies bag

MEANWHILE, a girl called up yesterday to alert me that I have won four free movie tickets to a GSC cineplex nearest my home, jointly courtesy of Maxis, Celcom and DiGi. A goodies bag will be sent to my home latest by Monday. Her number was 03-91x20515.

Another caller reached me on another phone, making the same offer. Her phone number was 03-7x20-0000.

NEXT: The Henry Goh - baba SMS to Screenshots