What is the short code 32665?

The short code 32665 is a 5-digit number used for sending and receiving text messages. Short codes are often used by businesses, organizations, and services to enable communication via SMS (short message service). When you text a short code, your message is received by the company or service that owns that code. Similarly, when a company texts you from a short code, you can identify the sender by the code they are texting from.

How do short codes work?

Short codes work by being leased by companies from wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and others. Once a company leases a short code, it can send and receive an unlimited number of text messages to and from that code. Here is a quick breakdown of how short codes function:

• A company purchases a leased dedicated short code from a wireless carrier.
• The short code is assigned to the company for their exclusive use.
• Consumers opt-in by texting the short code or the company captures the consumer’s mobile number through other methods.
• The company’s system is connected to the wireless carrier network.
• When the consumer texts the short code, the message is instantly routed to the company’s system.
• The company can then auto-reply with information via text message back to the consumer’s mobile number.

So in summary, short codes create a direct messaging channel between businesses and consumers, with messages delivered nearly instantly over the carrier networks. This allows for effective two-way SMS communication at scale.

What are short codes used for?

Short codes are used for a wide variety of business purposes. Here are some of the most common uses of short codes:

• Marketing, promotions, and campaigns – Companies will encourage consumers to text a short code to receive alerts about sales, limited-time offers, contests, sweepstakes, and other promotions.
• Customer support – Many businesses will list a short code on packaging or receipts so customers can easily text questions or feedback.
• Loyalty programs – Short codes provide an easy way for consumers to join loyalty programs and redeem rewards.
• Alerts and reminders – Healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other services use short codes to send customers appointment reminders, prescription refill notices, and other health alerts.
• Donations – Nonprofits use short codes for fundraising and donations via text message.
• Contests and voting – Reality shows, awards programs, and contests use short codes for viewers to text and cast votes or enter contests.
• Polls and surveys – Brands and research firms may poll consumers on their opinions on products, services, or issues via short code text messaging.
• Alerts and notifications – News outlets, community services, churches, and other organizations use short codes to disseminate critical info during emergencies and weather events.

The benefit of short codes for these use cases is the ease and speed of messaging for consumers. Texting a code is simpler than searching for a business number and saves that contact info directly to the consumer’s phone.

Are short codes free to text?

Texting a short code is usually free for consumers when sent from a standard mobile phone number. However, exceptions include:

• Premium short codes – Short codes starting with 590-699 are premium short codes that can charge end users per message, with the charges appearing on the consumer’s mobile phone bill. These are often used for pay-per-use entertainment services.
• Standard rate charges – When texting a short code from a landline instead of a mobile phone, standard text message or long distance charges may apply from the landline carrier.
• Donation codes – Short codes that accept charitable donations may state that donation amount per message on the charity’s site or campaign material.

However, the vast majority of short codes are free for consumers to text when using a standard mobile device and phone number. The business or organization pays the wireless carrier for use of the short code on a monthly basis, as well as per-message charges that allow them to send unlimited texts to consumers that opt-in.

Are short codes safe to text?

Yes, short codes are generally safe and secure to text. There are several protections in place:

• Short codes are leased through legal agreements with wireless carriers and strictly regulated.
• Companies must identify themselves when advertising a short code.
• Consumers must opt-in by texting first or give consent to receive messages.
• Senders’ phone numbers and names appear with their messages.
• Codes are dedicated to single, verified companies or organizations.
• Spamming and fraud issues can lead to short code lease termination.

So you can fact check a short code by researching the company name tied to that code and confirming opt-in consent before texting. This provides assurance that the short code is legitimate and safe to engage with via text.

How do I opt out of a short code?

If you no longer wish to receive text messages from a specific short code, you can opt out by texting STOP, END, QUIT, UNSUBSCRIBE or CANCEL to the short code. This will block that code from sending further messages to your mobile number.

Each short code opt-in program is required to provide an easy opt-out process. So texting one of those common stop words to the short code should immediately unsubscribe you and prevent additional texts.

You can also reply HELP to a short code to receive additional instructions for opting out of text alerts from that code. And on Android phones, blocking the short code directly from the Messages app is another option.

What happens if I text a short code by mistake?

If you text a short code by mistake, you may receive an auto-reply with opt-out instructions or a message that the code is not currently active. If it is an active short code, simply follow the received opt-out steps or text STOP to no longer receive messages from that code.

Texting an inactive short code likely will not lead to any return texts. And texting random 5-or-6 digit numbers by mistake will generally not reach real short codes, so nothing would occur. Overall there is little concern or potential consequence from texting an unknown short code in error.

How can I look up what a short code is for?

There are a few ways to look up what a specific short code is used for if you don’t recognize it:

• CommonLookups.com – Free short code directory that helps identify short code owners.
• Google search – Search for the short code digits + “short code” to find search results on the company or organization tied to that code.
• Carrier lookup tools – Some wireless carriers provide short code lookup tools on their support sites or via phone support.
• Call the company – The inbound message from the short code may include customer service contact info that you can call for more info.
• WHOSRU text – Texting WHOSRU or WHOIS to some short codes will auto-reply identifying the company.

With these options, you should be able to easily determine which brand or business is tied to any given short code.

How do I get a short code for my business?

Here are the typical steps for a business to acquire their own short code:

1. Decide which wireless carrier(s) you want to provide the code based on your customer base.
2. Contact the carrier sales department to inquire about short code leasing.
3. The carrier will provide availability, pricing, terms, and timelines.
4. Negotiate and sign a dedicated short code lease agreement.
5. Develop the text messaging program, system, and processes.
6. Test the messaging system before launch.
7. Deploy the marketing and call-to-actions to drive opt-ins.
8. Manage the short code program on an ongoing basis.

Key things to keep in mind are that carriers generally lease short codes in annual contracts, there are costs involved, and codes are dedicated for single brand use. Overall, securing a leased short code requires budget, planning, and cross-department coordination.

Conclusion

In summary, short codes are 5-or-6 digit numbers that enable two-way SMS messaging between companies and consumers at scale. They power effective text message marketing and communications through dedicated codes leased from wireless carriers. Short codes are widely used for promotions, alerts, support, donations and more. They provide businesses with a simple way to connect directly with customers via mobile devices in a permission-based and safe environment.