Premium SMS Messaging
Payment methods have grown and evolved immensely since the time of trade. As of recent years, compared to the lifespan of trade, payment methods have evolved exceptionally fast.
As cash has met it's match with plastic. Other forms of payment begin to unfold. Some being minor adjustments, like using your Debit card as a Check Card, or setting up ACH credits/debits through your checking account via your debit card(or voided check), to things like simply handling all expenses online through various e-bill programs. One new and unique method of payment is emerging and emerging fast right before our eyes. Many of us have fell victim to this style of payment already and may have not even realized it yet. To give you a clue, think about a text message you may have received about a weather report, or your daily horoscope. Most of these services charge you a fee via your carrier, with a method called SMS Premium Messaging. This process involves using short code messaging(special number usually 5-6 numbers as it's signature). This short code signature is then used by some companies to advertise to people like you and me, for whatever the campaign may be. Example:
To receive a live weather report
text ''STORM' to '016-94'
standard text message. rates may apply,
various venues where this has been used has been such things like fund raisers. Relief for Haiti is a good example. Also promotions for sporting events, concerts, etc. have used this service. However, there is still a great deal of business whom haven' t taken to it as of yet. It has proved to be very convenient for both the consumer, as well as the merchant. It has even become a great source of residual income for developers, through various Web sites like, http://www.textmarks.com and http://www.clickatell.com. Maybe like many other payment methods, it will have a growth spurt in the neat future, capitalizing over all the other mediocre methods.