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Help Difference between "short text messages" and text messaging

S

suzbuffgt750

Lurker
I have a question concerning the difference between SMS "text messaging" and short text messaging using the carrier email domain name. In my case with my carrier (Page Plus (PP)): xxxxxxxxxx@vtext.com.

My dilemma: I'm moving from Bank "A" to Bank "B". With Bank "A" they use SMS to send alerts and other banking info. And it works fine on my new (to me) Galaxy S3. For some reason Bank "B" wanted my cell carrier in addition to my cell #. Again, with PP it is @vtext.com.

My new phone will not receive these messages. I've tried to send myself a message on my PC (Gmail) with my "Ph.number@vext.com" and it will not work! I've searched and searched many forums for ideas and settings to get my phone to receive them. I've read where other PP users have no problem with this. I would bet it's just a setting on my phone??

I've even heard of calling PP and having them activate "Premium Text Messaging" sometimes works. Any ideas out there?
 
Thanks Mike for your quick reply!

Yah, I think that thread was a different problem. That guy was doing some weird funky thing and then got mad when others tried to help him.

My S3 sends and receives "normal" text messages fine. My bank "A" above uses SMS and I get all my alerts. Now I move to another bank ("B") and they won't let you just enter a phone number. They also insist on asking for your cell carrier. I'm sure they have a good reason for it (security?) but it's driving me crazy!

I hope someone here has some ideas.
 
suzbuffgt750 said:
Thanks Mike for your quick reply!

Yah, I think that thread was a different problem. That guy was doing some weird funky thing and then got mad when others tried to help him.

My S3 sends and receives "normal" text messages fine. My bank "A" above uses SMS and I get all my alerts. Now I move to another bank ("B") and they won't let you just enter a phone number. They also insist on asking for your cell carrier. I'm sure they have a good reason for it (security?) but it's driving me crazy!

I hope someone here has some ideas.
Click to expand...
Short codes have to be enabled from the carrier. Some cheaper prepaid networks charge extra and some don't offer it at all.
 
Bank B needs to either send SMS to your phone, or email to a valid domain - like your Gmail.

The feature you describe is being deprecated everywhere, hasn't been widely used since feature phones, and the bank's IT department has to be well aware of that.

Insist on talking to someone in IT at the bank - in many states, they can't refuse you.

Ask them if they want your phone number or your Gmail address, because using phone-to-email gateways is deprecated and therefore insecure.
 
EarlyMon, I think you hit the nail on the head. I had the feeling this was an old way of doing things and the bank needs to get with the program. I'm going in on Tuesday (closed on Mon) and talk to my Branch Manager (a neighbor and friend).
 
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