SMS 's that have never been sent?

Question

alaa137 Author

Level 1

9 points

SMS 's that have never been sent?

I see in my monthly receipt that there were 4 SMS's sent abroad. Specifically to the number ****.

I checked with my company and they say they know nothing about this number.

But they claim that if it appears in the report then it was sent no doubt.

I have NEVER sent a message to that number (i also checked in my messages).

Anyway, i found that other people has faced the same problem, and some of them say it's deactivating and reactivating imessage.

And yes, i remember deactivating and reactivating imessage at those dates and times.

Why am i being charged for this? is this normal or is it a bug in IOS? (i'm using latest IOS version: 7.1.2)

Thanks

iPhone 4, iOS 7.1.2

Posted on Sep 4, 2014 6:54 AM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

230,347 points

Mar 9, 2017 9:52 AM in response to neuro78

neuro78 wrote:

its now 2017...and im on ios 10.2

this problem still exist....

Im in Malaysia...carrier is Celcom....I noticed these charges on my bill on dec 2016 and March 2017

And the answer hasn't changed. If you are not using an Apple approved carrier, then the carrier may charge you for the SMS used to activate iMessage and FaceTime. You will have to deal with your carrier about the charges. This is not an Apple issue.

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Answer 2

neuro78

Level 1

4 points

Mar 9, 2017 5:55 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

I have thought about this...how could this NOT be an apple issue...I mean ...think about it.

Are there other phones out there that does this? even considering blackberry with its free messaging from a long time ago?

Did apple state this anywhere when we purchase their product? Were there any notification anywhere else besides when you try to reactivate facetime?

If apple had been so forthcoming and transparent about this...why be so secretive about this sms? why doesn't it show up in our message....why doesn't it show on my iphone that a sms has been sent to 447786205094...why keep this hidden? I only got to know about this after googling the number...

Oh...Celcom in Malaysia is an Apple approved carrier...I have checked.

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Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

230,347 points

Mar 9, 2017 7:42 PM in response to neuro78

neuro78 wrote:

Oh...Celcom in Malaysia is an Apple approved carrier...I have checked.

Then you need to deal with your carrier if they are charging you for this SMS. Apple approved carriers made a deal with Apple not to charge for this activation SMS.

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Answer 4

ioisland

Level 1

4 points

Apr 9, 2017 9:00 PM in response to alaa137

I am on roaming on a GSM only network (no data) and these SMS's are still sending. Even with Mobile Data, iMessage & FaceTime off and signed out of iCloud. Tried removing my phone from apple account as well. It's burning up my credit fast.

Not sure what else to try?

Using an iPhone 6S plus with latest iOS 10.3.1

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Answer 5

Sep 12, 2017 10:53 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Hi,

I am facing the same problem with one of my carriers in Saudi Arabia. My Apple approved carrier accepted waving the sms charges, but i was asked to get in touch with Apple to have the problem fixed. I deactivated iMessage and it seems - so far - that these sms are not sent anymore to the UK number.

What would be the solution?

I am using an iPhone as well for another number I use in Cyprus where I am not facing the same problem.

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Answer 6

wegras

Level 6

15,305 points

Sep 4, 2014 7:04 AM in response to alaa137

it is the activation SMS sent to activate the imessage and or facetime service

If you are with an Apple approved carrier then they agreed with Apple to waive these charges

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Answer 7

alaa137 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 4, 2014 7:33 AM in response to wegras

Is there a list for Apple approved carriers? How can i know if my carrier is approved?

Thank you

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Answer 8

wegras

Level 6

15,305 points

Sep 4, 2014 7:35 AM in response to alaa137

iPhone: Wireless carrier support and features

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Answer 9

alaa137 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 9, 2014 5:36 AM in response to wegras

So my carrier is in the list, and i still pay. They said they can do nothing about it, i'll still be paying.

So who's responsible now? What should i do?

Thank you very much

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Answer 10

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Sep 9, 2014 5:41 AM in response to alaa137

alaa137 wrote:

So my carrier is in the list, and i still pay. They said they can do nothing about it, i'll still be paying.

So who's responsible now?

Your carrier.

What should i do?

If the carrier said they won't do anything about it, not much.

Elevate it to a higher customer service.

Change carriers.

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Answer 11

Oct 28, 2014 7:39 AM in response to wegras

FaceTime was never activated on my iPhone 5s and iMessage was disabled on April. And I still get those surprises every month.

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Answer 12

wegras

Level 6

15,305 points

Oct 28, 2014 9:14 AM in response to Ricardo Almeida

Ricardo Almeida wrote:

FaceTime was never activated on my iPhone 5s and iMessage was disabled on April. And I still get those surprises every month.

iOS: Troubleshooting FaceTime and iMessage activation

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Answer 13

Oct 28, 2014 9:32 AM in response to wegras

The point is: both services are disabled.

So how can a disabled service spend money every month?

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Answer 14

AmishCake

Level 6

9,636 points

Oct 28, 2014 9:36 AM in response to Ricardo Almeida

You need to take this up with them - we are just users like you and can only offer advice. Your carrier is the one you need to be discussing this with. Good luck

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Answer 15

Oct 28, 2014 9:48 AM in response to AmishCake

My carrier, Vodafone Portugal, says Apple has the responsibility on this matter, since it's their software that is sending these messages.

Even if I ask Vodafone to block international communications, text messages wont be blocked. Anyway, even if it could solve the problem, doesn't seams reasonable.

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