cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Meta SMS short code service compromised

alexm.565959
Honored Guest

I'm posting this here because it's related to all Meta services – including meta VR accounts – and I can't find another avenue to report this issue.

As I understand, Meta uses a short code number for 2FA that provides users with codes and/or links that are using to sign in to an associated account. The short code that I normally receive notifications from is 89854 and/or 39041. I recently sent "help" to the short code number 89854 in an attempt to see if more options for sign in would be provided.

To my surprise, I received the following response: "Facebook Alerts:Help? https://www.facebook.com/help or call 888510####. Msg freq may vary. Msg&data rates may apply. Reply STOP to end." While the link is valid and takes me to facebook.com, the number leads directly to a call center that attempted to sell me a number of services.

Depending on the time of day, it either directs me to a call center offering a fall detection service for seniors, or a 18+ call center offering phone sex. Regardless of the destination, this is unacceptable and seems like a huge liability.

The normal short code response to "help" is either to not send any response at all, or to send a link – no number included – directing a user to www.facebook.com/help. So, how hasn't this previously been discovered and fixed?

I'm attaching a screenshot of the message I received from your short code service. Please let me know if I can provide any more useful information.

Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 3.59.09 PM.png

5 REPLIES 5

KostiaG
Meta Employee

Hi alexm.565959,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The usage of short codes in different countries may vary. Can you please also share your country and mobile operator name?

I'm located in the USA with country code +1. I received this text using T-mobile on a Apple device. 

Thanks for looking into this. Please keep me updated as I'm concerned that my access codes are compromised. 

KostiaG
Meta Employee

Hi alexm.565959,

Thank you very much for the provided information and your patience!

The phone number help option has been removed as irrelevant. May I ask you to perform a fresh test and let me know if it is fixed now?

I just received a text message from the 89854 SMS code. 

It stated:

Kevin, get back on Facebook by clicking: https://fb.me/1MPydDpoZn3bH2n

Furthermore, this was received to my number that's NOT even registered or associated with Facebook. 

@KostiaG Also, my number is in USA on Google Voice carrier. 

Still need help?

Did this answer your question? If it didn’t, use our search to find other topics or create your own and other members of the community will help out.

If you need an agent to help with your Meta device, please contact our store support team here.

Having trouble with a Facebook or Instagram account? The best place to go for help with those accounts is the Facebook Help Center or the Instagram Help Center. This community can't help with those accounts.

Check out some popular posts here:

Getting Help from the Meta Quest Community

Tips and Tricks: Charging your Meta Quest Headset

Tips and Tricks: Help with Pairing your Meta Quest

Trouble With Facebook/Instagram Accounts?