In a digital era where smartphone users receive dozens of SMS alerts regularly, a tiny alphabet at the end of text can carry more significant meaning than most people realise. These tiny letters might be beneficial for preventing scams.
What do the letters at the end of SMS alerts stand for?
The telecom regulators in India require SMS senders to categorise their messages based on the nature of the communication. As a consequence, several messages ending with a specific letter indicate a meaning.
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"G" means a government message:
If an SMS ends with the letter G, it generally means that the sender of that text is a government body. Such messages could include alerts related to natural calamities, public safety, or information related to government schemes.
“T” means a transactional message:
An SMS ending with the letter T means that it is a transactional one. These texts are often sent by financial institutions, banks, or services to notify recipients about payments and OTPs.
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"S" means a service message:
The S indicates a service-related SMS. These texts are often from companies and brands such as telecom operators, e-commerce platforms, or digital service providers. For example, Amazon and Flipkart may send updates about their orders ending with the letter S.
"P" means a promotional message:
An SMS ending with P denotes promotional in nature. These are advertising and marketing messages sent by businesses to market their products and services. For example, educational loans, deals on clothing, admissions to colleges, and more.
How do these letters help to prevent scams?
Identifying these letters can also help users to prevent scams and fraud. Experts note that scam messages usually do not end with any of these letters and do not follow standard SMS categories. While the absence of these letters does not definitely mean a scam, it can work as a warning sign to stay vigilant about them.
How to disable promotional messages?
Users who do not want to receive promotional messages can activate the Do Not Disturb service through their telecom operator services.
