How did they do that?

[Merlin]

Hi all,

I got three election SMSes from the DA over the last two days.

When you look at the SMS inbox on my phone, it says that the messages are from 'DA'.

I've checked with two of my friends, but only I seem to have experienced this...

It's the only group of messages I've ever gotten that had a name to them without being in my Contacts.

How did they do that? =D

 

[bex.cpt]

Lucky YOU. I got a PLEASE CALL ME from the ANC

 

[Merlin]

Lucky YOU. I got a PLEASE CALL ME from the ANC

Hahaha!

 

[ColinR]

It's part of the SMS protocol to allow the "called id" to be set. From what I recall, it's not allowed in ZA (?), and it makes the sms un-repliable.

 

[Merlin]

Thanks Colin.

So far I'm the only one who could see it amongst my group of friends. Maybe it doesn't work on all phones...

I'm sorry I deleted them now.

 

[latro]

From what I recall, it's not allowed in ZA (?)...

Yeah, I don't think it's illegal, since Vodascum's name always appeared on sms'es they sent me, yet it was not in my phonebook, and not a vodacom phone . I have since seen the light and moved to Cell C

 

[latro]

Lucky YOU. I got a PLEASE CALL ME from the ANC

hahaha oh the irony!

 

[ColinR]

Yeah, I don't think it's illegal

I'm basing the "allowed" on bulk sms providers only allowing the sender name to be set on sms destined for outside ZA. It may just be that our providers don't allow it.

 

[Creag]

Lucky YOU. I got a PLEASE CALL ME from the ANC

lol

 

[zahpat]

Lucky YOU. I got a PLEASE CALL ME from the ANC

LOL top1. I also got 3 Sms's from the DA, but just 3 long different numbers.

 

[Speedster]

I got the sms's but no sender ID - just the long numbers

 

[6ghost]

They have the ability to do that , the cellphone networks, send a message with a name, no number needed, therefore you can't reply, some countries allow you to send anonymous messages like this. It's been around for a while now.

 

[seedat77]

I got 1 SMS from the ANC. Where do they get our numbers from?