04-10-2025 01:00 PM
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.
04-11-2025 02:25 AM
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?
04-11-2025 07:09 AM
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.
a month ago
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?
3 weeks ago
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.
3 weeks ago
@KostiaG Also, my number is in USA on Google Voice carrier.
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