Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2014/07/21/orange_spent_weekend_spamming_customers_with_txts/

Orange spent weekend spamming customers with TXTs

Zero, not infinity, is the Magic Number customers want

By Simon Sharwood

Posted in Networks, 21st July 2014 06:28 GMT

Customers of UK mobile carrier Orange have spent the weekend nursing their thumbs after receiving a deluge of unwanted TXT messages.

The messages spruiked “Magic Numbers”, a service whereby it is possible to make “ free calls to your favourite Orange mobile and Orange Broadband Wireless and Talk numbers” that you nominate in advance.

That's a nice offer unless, as has been happening for the last few days, you get it a dozen or more times each day as some customers complain in this forum and of course on Twitter.

“EE Community Team” member “Miles” yesterday posted the following message:

“Unfortunately we're having an issue with the text message service that reminds people they are eligible to add another magic number. This reminder should only be sent once, but some customers are getting multiple reminders.

If you've received any of these duplicate messages, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience. Remember: you're not charged to receive magic number reminders.

Our team is working on a fix that will stop any further instances of multiple reminders happening. We're expecting an additional update on this fix tomorrow. I'll post here as soon as I have further details.”

At the time of writing, “soon” hadn't arrived: we could find no new information suggesting the problem has been addressed.

All of which sounds like (a); a SNAFU at orange and ; (b) a fine excuse for being late to work today, in “ Orange kept sending me TXTs all weekend so I turned of the sound on my phone and slept through the alarm” kind of way. ®