The Definitive Guide to Short Code 2513: T-Mobile, Spam Texts, and Your Consumer Rights

Receiving a text message from an unknown or unusual number can be unsettling. When that number is a short, four-digit code like 2513, the ambiguity can lead to a host of questions: Who is this from? Is it legitimate? Is it a scam? This guide provides a definitive answer, starting with the primary identity of the 2513 short code within the United States and addressing the common points of confusion that arise when trying to investigate such messages.

1.1 The Direct Answer: Identifying 2513 as a T-Mobile Campaign Code

Within the United States telecommunications system, the short code 2513 is officially designated as a T-Mobile number. T-Mobile’s own support documentation explicitly lists 2513 among a series of codes it uses for “T-Mobile campaigns”.

The term “campaign” in this context is broad and extends far beyond simple advertising. The wireless industry classifies text messages into two distinct categories: consumer-to-consumer messages (texts between individuals) and non-consumer messages (texts from a business or application to a person). T-Mobile’s campaign codes, including 2513, fall into the latter category. These campaigns are used to deliver a wide array of automated or bulk communications to customers, which can include:

Marketing and Promotions: Messages related to offers, new products, or customer appreciation programs like T-Mobile Tuesdays.
Account and Service Notifications: Important, non-promotional information about a customer’s account, such as billing reminders, notifications of terms and conditions changes, or updates about network services (e.g., warnings about a 3G network shutdown).
System and Benefit Updates: Automated messages regarding plan benefits, such as a Netflix subscription update, or even internal system messages related to account credits that may be visible to the customer.

Therefore, receiving a text from 2513 on a T-Mobile device could be a legitimate communication from the carrier regarding your account or one of its services. However, the sender’s identity is only the first piece of the puzzle.

1.2 Clearing the Confusion: Disambiguating “2513”

A significant challenge when investigating a generic number like “2513” is the sheer volume of unrelated information a standard web search can produce. It is crucial to distinguish the SMS short code from other entities that share this number to avoid confusion. Some of these unrelated entities include:

Locomotive History: The number 2513 was assigned to the Sir Visto, a London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class A4 steam locomotive built in the 1930s.
Consumer Electronics: The model number for the upcoming Motorola “g – 2025” smartphone is listed as XT2513-1 on lists of devices approved for the AT&T network.
Geography: The city of La Junta, Colorado, a home rule municipality in Otero County, has no direct connection to the short code but may appear in broad searches due to numerical associations in data indexes.
Automotive Parts: A Bosch short code for an engine part, BP408, has been associated with a user feedback rating number of 2513 on an e-commerce platform.

Acknowledging and dismissing these irrelevant results is a critical step. For a consumer in the United States who has received a text message from 2513, the relevant context is exclusively that of a T-Mobile SMS short code.

1.3 The International Element: Understanding Spoofing and Country-Specific Codes

A complicating factor in identifying short codes is their country-specific nature. A short code registered for a specific purpose in the United States will be used for an entirely different service in another country. This is where third-party call-blocking and identification services can introduce confusing data. For example, the service Truecaller shows significant activity for the sender ID 2513 originating from Iraq, where it is associated with various local services.

This does not mean T-Mobile’s claim to the code in the U.S. is false. Rather, it highlights two fundamental principles of modern telecommunications. First, short code registries are siloed national systems. The number 2513 can be, and likely is, legitimately registered to T-Mobile in the U.S. and to a different entity in Iraq.

Second, and more critically for consumer security, is the prevalence of SMS spoofing. Scammers possess the technology to manipulate the sender information on a text message, making it appear to come from any number they choose, including a legitimate short code. A fraudster could send a malicious text that appears to come from 2513 to leverage the recipient’s potential trust in a known T-Mobile number.

This leads to a crucial conclusion for consumers: the sender ID alone is not enough to verify a message’s authenticity. A user receiving a text from 2513—or any short code—must critically evaluate the content and context of the message itself to determine if it is a legitimate communication or a potential scam. This principle is the foundation for navigating the digital landscape safely.

Section 2: The World of SMS Short Codes: A Primer for US Consumers

To fully understand the implications of a message from 2513, it is helpful to understand the technology and business ecosystem behind SMS short codes. These are not random numbers; they are part of a regulated system designed for high-volume business communication.

2.1 What is an SMS Short Code?

An SMS short code is a 5- or 6-digit phone number used specifically for sending and receiving text messages, primarily for business-to-consumer communication. Unlike standard 10-digit phone numbers, short codes are designed for high-throughput messaging and are used for services like marketing alerts, two-factor authentication, and customer service notifications. Businesses lease these codes from a centralized body, the U.S. Short Code Directory, which maintains a database of all active codes and the companies that operate them. This centralized administration is intended to create a more controlled and trustworthy environment for commercial text messaging.

2.2 Consumer vs. Non-Consumer Messaging

The wireless industry operates on a fundamental distinction between two types of text messages: consumer and non-consumer.

Consumer Messaging: This refers to the standard person-to-person texts sent from one individual’s mobile device to another.
Non-Consumer Messaging: This category, also known as Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging, includes any text sent from a software application to an individual. This encompasses everything from automated bank alerts and shipping notifications to mass marketing broadcasts and political messages.

Messages from short codes fall squarely into the non-consumer category. To ensure these legitimate business communications are not mistakenly blocked by spam filters designed to catch unwanted messages, carriers like T-Mobile have established a “sanctioned route.” This is a dedicated network path for messages that are part of an approved campaign. For a business’s messages to travel this route, they must be vetted and authorized, a process that separates them from the “gray route” of unverified, and often unwanted, bulk messaging.

2.3 The Role of Aggregators

Most businesses do not interact directly with wireless carriers to get their messaging campaigns approved. Instead, they work with specialized intermediary companies known as messaging aggregators. Firms like Twilio, Sinch, Kaleyra, and Vibes Media act as the gatekeepers for the sanctioned messaging route.

These aggregators are responsible for reviewing their clients’ proposed messaging campaigns to ensure they comply with all legal requirements, carrier-specific policies, and industry-wide best practices. They vet the content of the messages and monitor the campaigns for ongoing compliance. This ecosystem is designed to protect consumers from fraudulent or harmful content while allowing legitimate businesses to communicate with their customers effectively. Understanding this structure is key to appreciating the layers of responsibility involved in commercial text messaging and the legal frameworks, such as the TCPA, that govern it.

Section 3: T-Mobile and the 2513 Short Code: An In-Depth Analysis

While 2513 is designated as a T-Mobile campaign code, it is just one part of a vast ecosystem of short codes and star codes that the carrier uses for a wide range of customer interactions. Understanding this system can help users differentiate between routine notifications and potentially suspicious messages, as well as troubleshoot common delivery issues.

3.1 Official Uses: Beyond Simple Marketing

T-Mobile utilizes a comprehensive suite of short codes that allow customers to manage their accounts and services directly from their devices without needing to call customer service or use an app. These self-service tools are a core part of the customer experience and demonstrate that many short code messages are functional rather than promotional.

A partial list of T-Mobile’s official self-service codes includes :

Account Balance & Billing:
- #BAL# (#225#): Provides your current account balance and information on the last payment received.
- *PAY (*729): Allows you to make a payment over the phone.
Usage Information:
- #MIN# (#646#): Checks your voice minute usage for the current billing cycle.
- #MSG# (#674#): Checks your text message usage.
- #WEB# (#932#): Checks your data usage, data plan details, and expiration date.
Device & Service Management:
- #NUM# (#686#): Displays your own phone number.
- #PWD# (#793#): Allows you to reset your voicemail password.
- #BON# (#266#) / #BOF# (#263#): Turns the Binge On™ video streaming feature on or off.
Security & Spam Control:
- #ONI# (#664#) / #OFB# (#632#): Turns Scam ID and Scam Block features on or off.
- 7726 (“SPAM”): The universal code to forward and report spam/scam text messages.

In addition to these self-service codes, T-Mobile uses other dedicated short codes for outbound notifications, such as 456 for security alerts (e.g., SIM card changes, PIN changes), 1112 for customer service surveys, and 3340 for T-Mobile Tuesdays verification codes. The code 2513 falls into this broader category of “campaign” messages, which are initiated by T-Mobile for various purposes.

3.2 Common User Issues: Blocked Messages and Delivery Failures

Despite the existence of this robust system, a frequent and frustrating issue reported by T-Mobile customers is the failure to receive legitimate short code messages. This problem is particularly acute when it comes to receiving two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, which are essential for securely logging into online services like bank accounts, email, and cloud storage providers such as Dropbox.

User forums and discussion boards contain numerous accounts of individuals who suddenly stop receiving these critical verification texts. A common thread among these complaints is that the issue often affects customers on specific types of plans, most notably “Simple Choice No Contract” or other prepaid/no-credit-check plans. This pattern suggests the blocking is not a random glitch but a consequence of a deliberate carrier policy.

The connection between no-credit-check plans and blocked short codes points to a likely, though heavy-handed, fraud prevention strategy by T-Mobile. Accounts that can be established with minimal identity verification pose a higher risk to the carrier, as they could be used by malicious actors to send out mass volumes of spam or scam messages. To mitigate this risk, it appears T-Mobile may preemptively disable access to “premium text services”—the category under which many short code interactions fall—on these types of accounts by default.

While this may prevent some fraud, it creates a significant and ironic problem for the customer. By blocking 2FA codes, the policy inadvertently makes the user’s other online accounts less secure, directly undermining the very security the user is trying to implement. This friction is a major pain point and a source of considerable confusion and frustration.

3.3 Troubleshooting: How to Unblock Short Codes on Your T-Mobile Account

For T-Mobile customers who are not receiving expected short code messages, there is a clear and effective solution, though it requires direct interaction with the carrier.

The most reliable method to resolve this issue is to call T-Mobile customer service by dialing 611 from your T-Mobile phone. When speaking with a representative, it is crucial to be specific. Users have reported success by using precise language, such as:

“I am not receiving short code text messages, including two-factor authentication PINs.”
“I need you to un-block short codes on my line.”
“Please ensure that premium text message services are enabled for my account.”

It is important to note that some users have found that first-level customer service representatives are not always familiar with this specific issue. If the initial representative is unable to help or claims no block is in place, it is advisable to politely but firmly ask for the issue to be escalated to

“2nd level tech support” or a supervisor. According to T-Mobile employees familiar with the system, enabling short codes should be a simple fix, often just a matter of “clicking ‘enable'” in the account’s backend settings. Persistence is key to reaching a representative who can access the correct setting and resolve the problem.

Section 4: Is It a Scam? A Guide to Identifying and Avoiding Text Message Fraud (“Smishing”)

While 2513 is a legitimate T-Mobile code, the ability for scammers to spoof sender numbers means that any text, regardless of its origin, must be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism. This form of phishing, conducted via SMS, is known as “smishing,” and it has become a primary vector for fraud. Understanding the tactics scammers use is the first step toward protecting your personal information and finances.

4.1 The Anatomy of a “Smishing” Attack

Smishing attacks are designed to exploit human psychology. They typically create a sense of urgency, fear, or curiosity to compel the recipient to act without thinking. The ultimate goal is almost always to trick the user into clicking a malicious link, calling a fraudulent number, or divulging sensitive information.

Common hooks used in smishing campaigns include:

Fake Fraud Alerts: A message claiming to be from your bank, credit card company, or a major retailer like Amazon, alerting you to a “suspicious charge” or an “account lock.” The message instructs you to click a link or call a number to resolve the issue, which connects you directly to the scammer.
Package Delivery Scams: A text pretending to be from USPS, FedEx, or another courier, stating there is an issue with a package delivery. It will ask you to click a link to pay a small “re-delivery fee” or provide more information. This link leads to a fake website designed to steal your credit card details and personal information.
Unpaid Toll Scams: A message claiming you have an unpaid road toll, directing you to a website to pay the fee to avoid larger penalties. This is another tactic to harvest financial information.

4.2 Common Scam Formats

Beyond the general hooks, smishing attacks often follow specific, recognizable formats:

The Intentional Wrong Number Scam: This sophisticated scam begins with an innocuous text, such as “Hi, is this Susan?” When the recipient replies, “Sorry, wrong number,” the scammer uses this as an opening. They will often comment on the recipient’s kindness and attempt to strike up a friendly conversation. Over time, this conversation is used to build trust for a more elaborate romance or cryptocurrency investment scam. Replying at all, even out of courtesy, confirms your number is active and can lead to more spam.
The “Mandy” Scam: This is a bot-driven attack that typically starts with a text from an unknown number containing an alluring photo of a woman. The bot, often using a name like “Mandy,” will engage in generic, flirty conversation regardless of the user’s replies. The bot is programmed with specialized responses to keywords like “scam” or “bot.” The ultimate goal is to push the user to a paid adult cam or age-verification website.
Fake Loan and Prize Offers: Unsolicited texts offering large personal loans (e.g., “$100,000 from CNFI USA”) or congratulating you on winning a prize for a contest you never entered are common phishing tactics. These are designed to get you to click a link and enter personal information to “claim” your non-existent reward.
Own-Number Spoofing: In a particularly confusing tactic, scammers can make a text appear to come from your own phone number. This is designed to bypass spam filters and confuse the recipient into opening the message.

4.3 Table: Legitimate vs. Scam Text Message Checklist

To help consumers quickly assess the legitimacy of a text message, the following checklist outlines common red flags associated with scams and green flags associated with legitimate communications.

Red Flags (Likely a Scam)	Green Flags (Likely Legitimate)
The message is completely unexpected and from an unknown number.	You were expecting the message (e.g., you just requested a password reset or made a purchase).
It creates a sense of extreme urgency or fear (e.g., “Your account will be suspended in 1 hour!”).	The message is informational and references a specific, recent transaction or interaction you initiated.
The greeting is generic, such as “Dear Customer” or “Valued User.”	The message addresses you by your actual name.
It contains suspicious links, especially those using link shorteners (like bit.ly) or misspelled domain names.	Any links provided are to the company’s official, well-known domain. When in doubt, type the official URL into your browser manually instead of clicking the link.
The message asks you to provide sensitive information directly via text, such as a password, Social Security number, or full bank account number.	Legitimate companies will never ask for passwords or full account numbers via text. They will direct you to log in to their secure website or app.
The text contains obvious spelling errors, poor grammar, or awkward phrasing.	The message is professionally written with correct grammar and spelling.
It promises something that is too good to be true, like a free high-value item or a guaranteed large loan.	The offer is consistent with the company’s known promotions and services.

Section 5: Taking Control: How to Stop Unwanted Texts from 2513 and Others

Feeling inundated by unwanted messages can be overwhelming, but consumers have a powerful arsenal of tools and techniques at their disposal. From simple keywords to carrier-grade security apps and federal reporting systems, the following methods provide a multi-layered defense against spam and scam texts.

5.1 Method 1: Universal Opt-Out Keywords

For legitimate marketing campaigns from reputable businesses, the law requires that they provide a simple way for consumers to opt out of future messages. The most common and effective method is to reply to the message with a universal opt-out keyword. These keywords include:

STOP
UNSUBSCRIBE
CANCEL
END
QUIT

Upon sending one of these keywords, the business’s automated system should remove your number from its marketing list and send a confirmation message.

However, a critical word of caution is necessary. This method should only be used for messages you know are from legitimate businesses. If you reply “STOP” to a message from a scammer, you are not opting out. Instead, you are confirming that your phone number is active and monitored by a real person. This makes your number more valuable to them and other fraudsters, and will almost certainly lead to an increase in spam and scam attempts. For suspicious messages, never reply; proceed to the other methods below.

5.2 Method 2: Carrier-Specific Tools (T-Mobile Scam Shield)

Major wireless carriers offer free, powerful tools to help their customers combat unwanted calls and texts. T-Mobile provides the Scam Shield app, a comprehensive solution available for both iOS and Android devices. Key features include:

Scam ID: Automatically identifies and labels incoming calls that are likely scams, displaying “Scam Likely” on the caller ID.
Scam Block: A more aggressive feature that can be enabled to automatically block all “Scam Likely” calls before they even reach your phone. This can be activated by dialing #ONB# (#662#) from your T-Mobile device.
Category Blocking: The premium version allows users to block entire categories of unwanted calls, such as telemarketers or political solicitations.
Spam Reporting: The app provides a streamlined interface for reporting junk and spam.

Verizon and AT&T offer similar applications (Call Filter for Verizon, ActiveArmor for AT&T) that provide comparable levels of protection. Downloading and configuring your carrier’s free security app is one of the most effective steps you can take.

5.3 Method 3: Activating Your Smartphone’s Built-in Spam Filters

Both Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems have native features designed to filter and manage unwanted messages. These tools are built directly into your phone and can be enabled in seconds.

For iPhone (iOS):
1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Messages.
3. Scroll to the “Message Filtering” section and turn on the toggle for Filter Unknown Senders. This action creates a new tab in your Messages app. All texts from numbers not in your contact list will be sent to a separate “Unknown Senders” list, and you will not receive notifications for them.
For Android (using Google’s Messages app):
1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap your profile icon or the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Messages settings (or Settings).
4. Tap on Spam protection.
5. Ensure the Enable spam protection toggle is turned on. This allows Google to use its data to detect and alert you to suspected spam messages, often moving them to a separate spam folder.

5.4 Method 4: Reporting Spam to Your Carrier (The 7726 “SPAM” Code)

This is perhaps the single most important and universally effective action a consumer can take against spam. All major U.S. carriers, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, support the short code 7726, which spells “SPAM” on a phone keypad. Forwarding unwanted texts to this number is a free service that helps carriers identify and block malicious senders across their networks.

The correct procedure for reporting is as follows :

Do not click any links or reply to the message.
Press and hold the body of the spam message until a menu appears. Select Copy.
Create a brand new text message addressed to the recipient 7726.
Paste the copied message content into the body of this new text.
Send the message.
Your carrier will typically send an automated reply asking for the phone number the spam came from.
Return to the original spam message, copy the sender’s phone number, and send it in a reply to the 7726 conversation.

This process provides the carrier with the two key pieces of information needed to investigate and block the spammer: the message content and the originating number.

5.5 Method 5: Filing Official Complaints

To contribute to broader law enforcement and regulatory efforts, consumers can file official complaints with two federal agencies:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC is the primary agency for tracking and acting against fraudulent and deceptive practices. Complaints can be filed online at its dedicated portal: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC): The FCC regulates interstate and international communications and is responsible for enforcing rules like the TCPA. Consumers can file complaints about unwanted calls and texts through the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center.

While these agencies do not typically resolve individual complaints, the data they collect is aggregated and used to identify patterns, inform policy decisions, and build enforcement cases against major violators.

Section 6: Your Rights Under Federal Law: The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)

Beyond practical tools and reporting mechanisms, consumers in the United States are protected by a powerful federal law designed specifically to combat harassing and unwanted automated communications. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) establishes strict rules for businesses and provides significant legal recourse for individuals whose rights have been violated.

6.1 An Overview of the TCPA and How It Protects You

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (47 U.S.C. § 227) is a federal statute that places firm restrictions on the use of automatic telephone dialing systems (ATDS), artificial or prerecorded voice messages (robocalls), and unsolicited text messages. The law’s protections are broad, applying to telemarketing calls made to both residential landlines and mobile phones. Critically, the TCPA explicitly covers SMS text messages, treating them with the same gravity as voice calls. The law applies to any business making marketing calls or sending marketing texts to U.S. consumers, even if the business uses a third-party call center located in another country.

6.2 The Gold Standard: “Prior Express Written Consent” (PEWC)

The cornerstone of the TCPA’s protection against unwanted marketing messages is the requirement of “Prior Express Written Consent” (PEWC). For a business to legally send you marketing texts or make telemarketing calls using an autodialer, it must first obtain your explicit permission in a very specific way.

PEWC is not simply implied by doing business with a company. It requires a formal agreement, in writing, that bears the signature of the person being called. In the digital age, an “electronic signature” such as checking a box on a web form or replying to a text is sufficient. However, for the consent to be valid, it must meet several strict criteria:

Clear and Conspicuous Disclosure: The agreement must clearly and conspicuously disclose that the consumer is authorizing the seller to send them advertisements or telemarketing messages using an automated system.
Identification of Seller: The consent must authorize a specific, identified seller. Vague language authorizing contact from “marketing partners” is generally not sufficient.
Not a Condition of Purchase: The disclosure must make it clear that agreeing to receive marketing communications is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services.

Without obtaining valid PEWC, a business is in violation of the TCPA if it sends automated marketing texts to a consumer’s mobile phone.

6.3 Closing the “Lead Generator Loophole”: The FCC’s New One-to-One Consent Rule

For years, a significant weakness in TCPA enforcement was the “lead generator loophole.” This allowed comparison-shopping websites and other lead-generating businesses to use a single checkbox to gather a consumer’s consent and then sell that “lead” to dozens or even hundreds of different companies. Consumers who thought they were asking for a single insurance quote would find themselves inundated with calls and texts from numerous, unrelated entities.

To address this, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a new rule that fundamentally changes the requirements for consent. This “one-to-one consent” rule, which becomes fully effective on January 27, 2025, amends the definition of prior express written consent to make it unequivocally clear that consent must be granted to one specific seller at a time.

Under the new rule:

Consent must be given to “no more than one identified seller” in a single action. This means a website can no longer use a single checkbox for bundled consent. Instead, it must present a list of companies, and the consumer must individually check a box for each and every seller they wish to hear from.
The calls and texts that result from the consent must be “logically and topically associated with the interaction that prompted the consent.” For example, a consumer who provides consent on a website for car loan comparisons cannot then be sent marketing texts about home refinancing or credit cards.

This new regulation places the full compliance burden on the company making the call or sending the text, not on the lead generator. Any business that buys leads from third-party sources will be responsible for proving that the consent they obtained meets this new, stricter one-to-one standard. This change is expected to dramatically disrupt the digital lead generation industry and provide consumers with much greater control over who can contact them.

6.4 Your Recourse: Understanding the Penalties for TCPA Violations

The TCPA is not merely a set of guidelines; it has significant enforcement power that can be wielded by private citizens. The law grants individuals a private right of action, meaning they can sue violators directly in court. The statutory damages for violations are substantial:

A consumer can seek $500 in damages for each call or text that violates the TCPA.
If the consumer can prove that the violation was committed willfully or knowingly, the damages can be tripled to $1,500 per violation.

Because these damages apply on a per-text or per-call basis, the potential liability for a company engaging in mass-messaging campaigns can quickly escalate into the millions of dollars. There is no cap on the total statutory damages that can be awarded in a lawsuit, which has led to numerous multi-million dollar class-action settlements against companies that have violated the TCPA. This powerful enforcement mechanism provides a strong financial incentive for businesses to comply with the law and gives consumers significant leverage to stop unwanted and illegal communications.

Section 7: Appendix: Official Short Code Reference for Major US Carriers

The following tables provide a consolidated reference of common self-service and feature access codes for the three major wireless carriers in the United States. These codes allow users to quickly manage their accounts and access services directly from their phone’s dialer.

7.1 Table: T-Mobile Self-Service & Campaign Short Codes

Code	Function
`#BAL#` (`#225#`)	Check account balance and last payment details.
`#MSG#` (`#674#`)	Check text message usage for the current cycle.
`#WEB#` (`#932#`)	Check data usage, data plan, and expiration date.
`#NUM#` (`#686#`)	Display your mobile phone number.
`#PWD#` (`#793#`)	Reset your voicemail password.
`#FAM#` (`#326#`)	Check Family Allowance usage.
`#ONI#` (`#664#`)	Turn on the Scam ID feature.
`#ONB#` (`#662#`)	Turn on the Scam Block feature.
`PAY` (`729`)	Make a payment over the phone.
`611`	Call T-Mobile Customer Care.
`7726` (“SPAM”)	Forward and report spam/scam text messages.
`3340`	T-Mobile Tuesdays verification and campaign messages.
`456`	Security alerts (SIM change, PIN change, port status, etc.).
`2513`	Official T-Mobile campaign messages.

7.2 Table: Verizon Wireless Service Codes

Code	Function
`#BAL` (`#225`)	Check your account balance.
`#DATA` (`#3282`)	Check your data usage.
`#MIN` (`#646`)	Check your minute usage.
`#PMT` (`#768`)	Make a payment to your account.
`#UPG` (`#874`)	Check your device upgrade eligibility.
`*611`	Call Verizon Customer Service.
`*86`	Access and check your voicemail.
`*67` + Number	Block your Caller ID for a single outgoing call.
`*82` + Number	Unblock your Caller ID for a single outgoing call.
`*72` + Number	Forward all incoming calls immediately to another number.
`*73`	Stop/deactivate all call forwarding.
`#832`	Place a test call to check service.

7.3 Table: AT&T Feature Access Codes

Code	Function
`3282#` (`DATA#`)	Check your data and text message usage.
`646#` (`MIN#`)	Check your available voice minutes.
`225#` (`BAL#`)	Check your account balance.
`*777#`	Check balance for AT&T pre-paid accounts.
`611`	Call AT&T Customer Service.
`*72` + Number	Activate Call Forwarding Always.
`*73`	Deactivate Call Forwarding Always.
`*67` + Number	Block your Caller ID for the next call.
`*43`	Activate Call Waiting.
`#43`	Deactivate Call Waiting.
`*70`	Cancel Call Waiting for the next call.
`*69`	Call back the last number that called you.

Conclusion: From Confusion to Empowerment

The journey that begins with a single, confusing text from a number like 2513 often leads to a complex world of carrier policies, sophisticated scams, and federal regulations. This guide has aimed to demystify that world, transforming user uncertainty into actionable knowledge.

The central findings are clear. The short code 2513 is, in the United States, a legitimate T-Mobile campaign code used for a variety of business communications. However, this fact alone is insufficient for guaranteeing a message’s safety. The pervasive threat of number spoofing means that any text, regardless of its apparent source, must be scrutinized for the tell-tale signs of a smishing attack. Vigilance is the consumer’s first and best line of defense.

Crucially, this vigilance is backed by a powerful set of tools and rights. Consumers are not helpless. By utilizing the universal 7726 spam reporting code, activating carrier-provided security apps like Scam Shield, enabling the native spam filters on their smartphones, and understanding how to manage opt-out preferences, individuals can build a robust defense against the daily barrage of unwanted messages.

Furthermore, the legal framework of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) provides a formidable backstop, empowering consumers with the right to demand an end to unwanted marketing and to seek significant financial damages for violations. The FCC’s new one-to-one consent rule, effective in 2025, promises to strengthen these protections even further, placing a greater burden of responsibility on businesses and giving consumers more granular control over their digital consent.

Ultimately, navigating the modern communication landscape requires a proactive stance. By understanding the systems at play, recognizing the tactics of malicious actors, and utilizing the tools and legal rights at their disposal, consumers can move from a position of confusion and vulnerability to one of control and empowerment. The final call to action is to remain vigilant, report spam aggressively, and exercise the rights that have been established to protect you and every other mobile user.