How can an 866 number text you on your cellphone?

[RedArmy]

So basically I received a call from (866)-644-XXXX which I googled as it was ringing and it came back as Patient Financial Services for Lourdes Hospital (local hospital)...so I'm thinking 'wtf' and ignore it..and then about a minute later I get a text message from that number saying "PLEASE CALL".

I haven't called back yet but I will...the part I'm most curious about is how an 866 number can text my cellphone as I didn't think such things are possible...plus I don't how they acquired my number or knew it was able to receive text messages.

That is all.

 

[BHeemsoth]

Given that it's a hospital, give them a call ASAP.

They may be contacting you on behalf of an injured or ill family member.

I know it says "patient financial services," but I would still check.

 

[dpert1]

I should call for you

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: RedArmy
So basically I received a call from (866)-644-XXXX which I googled as it was ringing and it came back as Patient Financial Services for Lourdes Hospital (local hospital)...so I'm thinking 'wtf' and ignore it..and then about a minute later I get a text message from that number saying "PLEASE CALL".

I haven't called back yet but I will...the part I'm most curious about is how an 866 number can text my cellphone as I didn't think such things are possible...plus I don't how they acquired my number or knew it was able to receive text messages.

That is all.

it's probably a voice to text system they have set up. specialty services work like that in reverse, I know that.. so maybe this way is possible too? Some proxy number does it on their behalf I bet. I know there are joke voicemails that you sign up for online, and use the number you input as the caller.. so from it friend it appears as that friend is calling, but then it's this joke of some sort (buddy used a borat voice joke service). Not hard at all to accomplish. I actually have a feeling it's either an internal phone system thing, or a feature their ISP offers specifically for hospitals.

 

[Trogdor91]

Your voicemail has an option that someone who calls can press a number instead of leaving a message and it will text you to call that number. Happened to me a week ago and I was confused as well.

 

[MyThirdEye]

I wouldn't worry about it, you're certainly not going to lose anything out of calling them.

 

[Pepsi90919]

are you really polling ATOT for obvious advice