Have you ever received an unexpected 89787 text message with a verification code? This can be alarming, often leaving you to wonder if it’s a genuine alert or a sophisticated scam. This article will demystify the purpose of the 89787 text message, explain its most common user, and guide you on what to do when you receive one, particularly if you are in Egypt.
What Are Short Codes and Why Are They Used?
First, it’s important to understand the number itself. 89787 is a “short code,” a special 5-digit number used by businesses and organizations to send and receive text messages at a high volume. Instead of a long, standard mobile number, companies use these shorter, more memorable codes for everything from marketing to critical security alerts.
The Primary Sender: Google Account Services
The vast majority of reports and user experiences worldwide identify the 89787 text message as being sent by Google. It is one of the official short codes Google uses for its two-factor authentication (2FA) and account recovery services.
Why You Would Receive a Google Verification Code
If you receive a text from 89787, it is almost certainly for one of the following reasons related to a Google account (like Gmail, YouTube, or Google Drive):
- You Initiated It: You are actively trying to log into your Google account from a new device, have just changed your password, or are updating your security settings. Google sends a code to your registered phone number to verify that it is really you.
- Someone Else Mistakenly Used Your Number: It’s possible someone with a similar phone number made a typo while trying to recover their own account or set up a new one. They entered your number by mistake, and Google sent the verification code to you instead of them.
- Someone Is Maliciously Trying to Access Your Account: In a more concerning scenario, someone may be attempting to hack into your Google account. They have your email address and are trying to guess your password. If they trigger the recovery process, Google will send the verification code to the phone number on record—yours.
What to Do When You Receive an 89787 Text Message
Your course of action depends entirely on whether you initiated the request for a code.
If You Requested the Code:
This is a normal security procedure. Simply enter the code provided in the text message into the prompt on the website or app to complete your login or account change. The code is typically valid for a few minutes only.
If You Did NOT Request the Code:
- Do NOT Share the Code: This is the most important rule. Never share the verification code with anyone. A legitimate company like Google will never call you or email you asking for this code. Scammers may try to trick you into giving it to them to gain access to your account.
- Immediately Secure Your Google Account: The unsolicited code is a major red flag that someone may be trying to compromise your account. Go directly to
myaccount.google.com, log in, and review your security settings. - Change Your Password: As a precaution, change your Google account password to something strong and unique.
- Ignore and Delete the Message: If you are confident your account is secure and that someone likely just mistyped their phone number, you can simply ignore and delete the text.
By understanding that the 89787 text message is a tool used by Google for security, you can take the appropriate steps to verify your own actions while protecting yourself from potential threats.
