Receiving a text message from an unfamiliar 5-digit number can be perplexing. These numbers, known as short codes, are a common tool for businesses to communicate with their customers. If you’ve received a message from the short code 58083, you’re likely wondering who is trying to reach you and why. This article will clarify the source of these messages and explain what you should do.
What Are Short Codes?
First, it’s helpful to understand what a short code is. A short code is a special, 5 or 6-digit phone number that businesses use to send and receive text messages in large volumes. Companies use them for a variety of purposes, including marketing campaigns, appointment reminders, and, most importantly, for security and account verification. This method allows for fast and efficient communication with a broad audience.
The Primary User of the Short Code 58083
The short code 58083 is most commonly associated with Affirm, a popular financial technology company that provides “buy now, pay later” services at checkout for thousands of retailers online and in-store. When you choose to finance a purchase using Affirm, they need a reliable way to communicate with you, and they often use text messages for this purpose.
Common Reasons for Receiving a Text from 58083
The vast majority of texts from the short code 58083 are related to account security and verification. You might receive a message if:
- You Are Making a Purchase: When you use Affirm to finance a purchase, they will send a verification code to your phone to confirm your identity before finalizing the loan.
- You Are Logging Into Your Account: To protect your account from unauthorized access, Affirm uses two-factor authentication. When you try to sign in, a one-time passcode will be sent from short code 58083 to your registered phone number.
- You Are Creating an Account: When signing up for Affirm for the first time, a verification text is sent to ensure the phone number is valid and belongs to you.
“I Received a Text, But I Don’t Use Affirm.” What Now?
This is a frequent and important concern. Receiving an unsolicited verification code can be unsettling, but it’s crucial to handle it correctly.
What It Likely Means:
There are two primary possibilities. First, someone who is an Affirm user may have entered their phone number incorrectly, accidentally typing yours instead. Second, and more concerning, a scammer may be attempting to create a fraudulent Affirm account using your phone number.
What You Should Do:
- Do Not Share the Code: The verification code is the key to creating or accessing an account. Never share it with anyone.
- Do Not Click on Links: If the message contains a link, do not click on it, especially if you were not expecting the text. This could be a phishing attempt to steal your personal information.
- Ignore the Message: If you do not have an Affirm account and did not initiate any transaction, the safest course of action is to simply ignore and delete the message. Without the verification code, the person attempting to use your number cannot proceed.
How to Stop Messages from the Short Code 58083
If you wish to stop receiving communications from this number, you have a straightforward option. Replying to the message with the single word STOP is a universal command that will opt your number out of all future texts from the short code 58083. You should receive a confirmation message verifying that you have been unsubscribed.
