You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: stefcioPL
stefcioPL Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Strange SMS

Hello,


Since the 28th March, 2023 (it was almost just after updating to iOS 16.4 - now I have this issue in 16.4.1 too) I've noticed some strange SMS sent from my phone to "80149". It's free of charge in my carrer, happily. But it's strange, that I have not any of this SMS on my phone, so I cannot even verify what's this. I had contacted my carrier to block all of Premium SMS, all paid services and this issue still exists. Well, I've started thinking that it could be a virus, so I did a full reset of my iPhone. Hoping for this to stop, I've been really disappointed - because the issue still occurs.


The messages on my billing shows, that most of the time these are sent every 15 minutes, during 6am-10pm - not all the time, but 90%.


I've tried to analyse any logs of my iOS, and all that I have found it's because of CommCenter. It seems like this is the source of my issue.


I've excluded the virus to be a source, because after a hard reset without restoring the device from backup - the issue still exists.


Have I to be worried about the security of my device, does anyone have such issue?


I did not changed the way that I am using my phone since March 2022, when I've bought my device. So it would be really a surprise for it to be a virus, but.... I did almost everything to make sure it isn't. My device runs well, the battery health is 90% after a year, so for iPhone SE it's a good condition - and this issue started to occur after updating to iOS 16.4.



iPhone SE, iOS 16

Posted on Apr 8, 2023 12:42 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Chance08
Chance08
User level: Level 2
365 points

Posted on Apr 8, 2023 12:53 PM

Based on the information you have provided, it's possible that your iPhone is sending SMS messages to a premium rate number without your knowledge or consent. This type of activity is often associated with malware or a compromised device.

Since you have already done a full reset of your iPhone and the issue still persists, it's likely that the malware or malicious software is still present on your device. You may want to try the following steps to resolve the issue:

  1. Install anti-malware software: There are several anti-malware apps available in the App Store that can help you detect and remove any malware or malicious software on your iPhone.
  2. Contact your carrier: Reach out to your carrier and explain the situation to them. They may be able to block the premium rate number from your account, or offer additional guidance on how to resolve the issue.
  3. Check for unauthorized apps or settings: Make sure that you don't have any unauthorized apps or settings on your iPhone that could be causing the issue. Check your app list and settings to ensure that you recognize everything that's installed on your device.
  4. Reset your iPhone again: If all else fails, you may need to reset your iPhone again, but this time without restoring from a backup. This will erase all of your data and settings, but it may be necessary to fully remove any malware or malicious software from your device.

It's important to take this issue seriously, as sending SMS messages to premium rate numbers can result in unexpected charges on your phone bill. If you're still experiencing issues after trying the steps above, you may want to consider contacting Apple Support for further assistance.

View in context

Similar questions

13 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Chance08
Chance08
User level: Level 2
365 points

Apr 8, 2023 12:53 PM in response to stefcioPL

Based on the information you have provided, it's possible that your iPhone is sending SMS messages to a premium rate number without your knowledge or consent. This type of activity is often associated with malware or a compromised device.

Since you have already done a full reset of your iPhone and the issue still persists, it's likely that the malware or malicious software is still present on your device. You may want to try the following steps to resolve the issue:

  1. Install anti-malware software: There are several anti-malware apps available in the App Store that can help you detect and remove any malware or malicious software on your iPhone.
  2. Contact your carrier: Reach out to your carrier and explain the situation to them. They may be able to block the premium rate number from your account, or offer additional guidance on how to resolve the issue.
  3. Check for unauthorized apps or settings: Make sure that you don't have any unauthorized apps or settings on your iPhone that could be causing the issue. Check your app list and settings to ensure that you recognize everything that's installed on your device.
  4. Reset your iPhone again: If all else fails, you may need to reset your iPhone again, but this time without restoring from a backup. This will erase all of your data and settings, but it may be necessary to fully remove any malware or malicious software from your device.

It's important to take this issue seriously, as sending SMS messages to premium rate numbers can result in unexpected charges on your phone bill. If you're still experiencing issues after trying the steps above, you may want to consider contacting Apple Support for further assistance.

Reply
User profile for user: stefcioPL
stefcioPL Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Apr 8, 2023 1:06 PM in response to Chance08

Hi, thanks for your answer!


To be clear: I've done full reset of my iPhone and DID NOT restore it from backup. All I have downloaded from App Store was Steam, bank app, ticket app for public transport, Battle.net Authenticator, YouTube, Google Authenticator and apps of my carrier. Nothing more. I am pretty sure that these apps are not malware, as far as other people use them and don't report such issues.


I am 101% sure that this issue started to occur after updating to iOS 16.4. As far as I remember - I was in workplace, and just updated the OS. Since then, I have such issue :( If this won't stop to happen - it's gonna be a must-do to leave Apple eco-system, because it's not normal that this issue occurs only on iPhone - two of other devices (Samsung and Xiaomi) does not have such issue :/


I've dissabled iMessage/FaceTime and almost all unneccesary (for me) settings and/or functions. All of apps that I can see on the list of installed apps are the ones, that I can recognize and I am almost sure that they are not malware.


Fortunately - I cannot be charged for any premium SMS because I have a block of sending/receiving paid SMS. These are sent just because they are free of charge.


I've scanned my device with a lot of antivirus software from App Store, such as Avast, McAfee, Norton etc., and not a single one has told me that I have any malware/security issues on my phone.


This issue is very strange :/


I don't know what to do - probably one more hard reset won't help, I've even replaced my eSIM profile. Not a single thing worked - still these SMS are being sent :/

Reply
User profile for user: stefcioPL
stefcioPL Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Apr 8, 2023 2:03 PM in response to Chance08

I had contacted my carrier, they blocked all services that could charge me, and that aren't provided by them directly. They also blocked Premium SMS for my number.


I've booked a contact with Apple Support at Monday, really hope that they will help :/ I'm getting tired of it - not worrying about the charges, but about my data.... :/ I will post any updates, if anyone had such a problem and did resolve it - it will be great to hear a solution! @Chance08 thanks anyway for helping out! :)

Reply
User profile for user: stefcioPL
stefcioPL Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Apr 9, 2023 10:13 AM in response to MEGA49R

Hello,


First of all - I've picked ur answer as a best one by accident :(

It's not solved :/


Well - I've tried to wait in lockdown mode, but it's still there - these messages are being sent automatically and I can't do nothing about it....


I've been looking for anything related with that number, but it's not even available in Poland's government database of premium numbers - so I am really feeling angry, tired and willing to change my phone immediately.


As far as I've been asking my friends if they do have same problem - they said no, but just because their services are being provided by other carrier.


I really don't know what to do next....


My phone has been factory reset twice, lockdown mode doesn't work, carrier's lock for Premium and other paid services doesn't work.... No one from my family within this carrier does not have such problem - but they have Samsung and Xiaomi devices.... It's only me. And on my carrier's forum - there are reports of this occuring only on iPhone's - so probably it's some system app that does that, and I really don't know what is this.


Either this will get fixed or not, this is my last Apple's device.... It's really tiring to fix something (if even possible) on iOS :/

Reply
User profile for user: stefcioPL
stefcioPL Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Apr 9, 2023 10:47 AM in response to MEGA49R

Thank you for your support! :) I am waiting for Apple's support call tommorow, hope they will look out the problem - otherwise - I am lucky that I am an employee of my career, so I will try to look the exact way inside. But it's really hard to find out...


I've changed SIM card immediately - I am using eSIM, and for the number I can't - not technically, but I have this number for almost a 10 years now... :(

Reply

Strange SMS

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up