SMS short code

This isn't a broadband related question but I'm struggling to find an expert and/or other platform/ forum for help, and I know there are some intelligent people on this platform.

I *think* sometime around 22 Sep 22 I replied to a SMS message from a phone case company "Mous" with STOP. My first and only order was delayed and I think I was receiving lots of SMS from "Mous". Since this date, I've not been receiving Amazon SMSs that ask me if I've just logged on in location XXX. I no longer receive OTP messages from Amazon for 2FA. I think that the STOP reply to "Mous" has somehow opted my mobile out of SMS for Amazon. I have set up a 3rd party app for Amazon 2FA so I am secure.

Amazon says everything was working until 22 Sep. From that point onwards messages which Amazon send receive a response "Number is opted out". I've removed my mobile from my Amazon account, thinking this may perform a reset, but I cannot re-associate it with Amazon because the OTP never arrives.

Other OTPs from other organisations are fine. I've swapped the SIM, tried different phones (Android/IOS) and I do not receive a message from Amazon. A PAYG SIM with a different number works fine with Amazon.

EE says - not their issue
Amazon is helping but I feel I'm at Level 2 support when really I need to be at Level 4 / Subject Matter Expert
Mous - I've asked about my SMS preferences - because there is nothing noted on my online account.

I've found lots of info about the rules for shortcode messages and this website. https://www.short-codes.com/ To me, it looks like there are providers for short code messages . I've emailed a couple of the providers but no reply - it is a slow period of the year.

Does anyone know about short codes? Is there a database with my number in it with an opt out for Amazon.

Can Amazon provide you with an SMS method to opt back in?

Unfortunately not.

Amazon did send messages with an origin of 65551 but have now moved to sending messages with an origin of "Amazon". I can message 65551 but I receive a "default help message" response - which suggests (as I know) the number is no longer in service.

From what Amazon has said they send the message but it bounces back with "opted out" - as though a 3rd party system is involved.

Someone is Amazon must know what is happening but it's difficult climbing the tree to the correct level. Perhaps I need the CEO to descend from the top.

@BarkingMad,

Have you checked your Amazon account on a different device in a web browser? There should be a section labelled "Login & Security". Within that section you can reset your 2FA. You might need to remove the 2FA first then reset it back to your primary phone number.

HTH,

There is a guide to opt back in at:

https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sns/latest/dg/sms_manage...

"Opting in a phone number that has been opted out

You can view which phone numbers have been opted out of receiving SMS messages from your account, and you can opt in these phone numbers to resume sending messages to them.

You can opt in a phone number only once every 30 days.

Sign in to the Amazon SNS console


In the console menu, set the region selector to a region that supports SMS messaging.

On the navigation panel, choose Text messaging (SMS).

On the Text messaging (SMS) page, choose View opted out phone numbers. The Opted out phone numbers page displays the opted out phone numbers.

Select the check box for the phone number that you want to opt in, and choose Opt in. The phone number is no longer opted out and will receive SMS messages that you send to it."

I thought the OP was talking about Amazon the shop, not Amazon Web Services?

Have you blocked it on your phone and the message is going into the spam/blocked (phone dependant) option on your phone? Have you tried putting your SIM in a phone that is factory reset and seeing if the message comes through to rule the phone out.

@mking90031

I've tried different browsers without success. I didn't know a change had occurred on 22 Sep 22 - I had noticed I wasn't receiving "have you logged on messages" but thought maybe Amazon had changed something.

In mid Nov, when using Edge on W10 I started to see prompts to enter an OTP when logging in, but wasn't receiving them. I tried Firefox and that worked without a need for a OTP. But then later Firefox started to prompt for a OTP.

I couldn't logon from a W10 device. My Amazon account was still logged on Safari on the Ipad. Looking at my Amazon settings I hadn't configured OTP. but I did have my mobile number of my account. I assume the OTP requests on Edge and Firefox were due to Amazon enhancing their security and saying "this guy is using two many different browsers/devices - let's confirm it is genuine".

When trying to set up OTP using SMS I discovered no message arrived. I removed my mobile from my Amazon account, in an attempt to reset and attempted to re-add but cannot re-add due to OTP not being received. I've added a 3rd party authenticator app to my Amazon account so I am secure and can logon from a W!0 device.

It's a strange problem.

@MattL

I've tried my SIM in two different phones (IOS/Android) and I've not blocked "Amazon" on etiher.

Amazon say they receive a response "opted out" which to me suggests something between them and my SIM thinks I have "opted out".

But opting out of OTP messages doesn't make sense.

Yes, I was posting about the shop and not AWS. I wouldn't be surprised to find Amazon using one of their AWS products.

I'd found a good Amazon contact through their telephone contact point called "James D from Ireland" who works in Account Change. He submitted a couple of tickets to different departments and has been helping to resolve. I'm waiting for him to make contact.

I would at this stage, get hold of a spare number and do this.

Add new number to amazon account

remove your auth device from amazon.


log out of amazon and log back in - do you then get an OTP text.


Tbh getting sms mesgages are insecure so i don't know why you are perusing enabling an insecure route...

On a side note do you have the amazon app on your phone as well?

@Taras,

I've tried different PAYG SIMS as part of my investigations - added to my Amazon account and OTP is fine. But for some reason once I added the temp number I couldn't remove it from my Amazon account- no option. The Amazon "James D" had to remove it.

I don't want to use SMS for my primary 2FA method. I want to add my mobile number to my account and have the option of SMS as a backup to my 3rd party authenticator app.

I don't have the Amazon apps installed. I prefer the browser. I could install to see if I receive a different outcome.

In reply to a post by BarkingMad:

@Taras,

I've tried different PAYG SIMS as part of my investigations - added to my Amazon account and OTP is fine. But for some reason once I added the temp number I couldn't remove it from my Amazon account- no option. The Amazon "James D" had to remove it.

you can't delete it but just edit it to another number.... Semi stupid but there you go.

In reply to a post by BarkingMad:

I don't want to use SMS for my primary 2FA method.

thats good

In reply to a post by BarkingMad:

I don't have the Amazon apps installed. I prefer the browser. I could install to see if I receive a different outcome.

the app can do some authentication requests.


sidenote. when i go into the security bit for the number, amazon says its sent the code to my phone and email - my phone never gets that code, so something is up on the sms side

The problem has now been resolved.

I'd ordered from a 3rd party website and they used Amazon to fulfil the order. The order was delayed and I replied STOP to a one of the many "order delayed" messages from 65551 thinking it was the 3rd party but it was Amazon. I was charged £0.19p for the service by EE.

Numerous calls to Amazon and attempts to remove the block failed. Letters to Amazon HQ didn't appear to have an effect. Email CEO UK and after second attempt received a reply to say they would look into it.

Just logged on today and it allowed me to add my mobile to my account and sent me a OTP to verify the number.

Happy.

Glad you got this sorted