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Introduction to Shortcodes

Shortcodes are basically short telephone numbers (four, five or six digits) that give you direct access to a whole range of services from text-message alerts, and subscriptions through to video clips.

There are loads of other independent shortcode service providers, but generally it all works in the same way, and to help we have pulled together everything you need to know, including how to stop a service, related costs and how to contact the providers, as well as our Top Shortcodes.

Stopping Text services

We've asked content providers on 3 to make cancelling subscription Text services as simple as possible.

All you should need to do is send the word 'STOP' to the Shortcode that has sent the messages to you. An easy way to do this is use the "reply" function of the handset.

If you've subscribed to several Text services which all come from the same Shortcode , then there are a couple of ways you can stop your services.

If you continue to receive messages after you've requested that a service or services be stopped, contact the service provider as soon as possible on their customer care number. You can find the providers details in our shortcode checker.

Having cancelled a service, you may in some cases continue to receive free promotional messages from the Shortcode number . If you'd rather not receive these, please contact the service provider on their customer care number.

Costs

Most content providers will charge you for their Text messages that you receive. This is more than likely the case for services that you subscribe to. The charge for this service is when the message is delivered to 3 for delivery to your handset.

However, some Text services are charged when you request the information or, for example, when you send in a vote to a show or enter a competition by Text.

All content providers are legally obliged to state the cost of their Text services unless they are less than 25p . The majority of services are advertised as costing 'this much' plus your network charge. This is because the network charge varies in the UK depending on the mobile operator. On 3, the 'network charge' for you to send a message is 10p.

For more details on shortcode and Premium Rate Services, go to our Code of Practice for Premium Rate Services.