The email and app options are built into the system, so they're good to go. We'd need to pay a developer to custom code the text option, so that's not on the horizon yet.
That said, the apps are faster than text and don't rely on your phone being connected to the mobile network. They work over wifi!
THAT said, my my my, do I have plans for text at UU!
Email is really no longer as helpful as it once was, so we're going to be adding
as an option for people who prefer it to have your forum notifications sent via SMS, as well as Facebook and Whatsapp Messenger. I'm also looking into optional browser-based alerts for people who opt in, so that you can see your UU alerts even when you're not logged into UU
if you want it.
When I get around to adding the forums to the "email" newsletter for the education side of the UU house, I'm also going to be offering SMS and Messenger as the subscription vehicle. (Not that the whole newsletter would be there, but an alert to go read it if you want to -- and obviously only to subscribers. All of what I'm talking about is strictly opt-in, just like we've always done, and always will.)
But here's why I do NOT recommend text as verification between buyers and sellers. Our scammer(s) -- I'm thinking that there are at least two so far, at least one of whom has hacked more than one account -- have been very fast to recommend text as the way to contact them!!! Why? Because you can spoof text super easily, including using throwaway accounts in Whatsapp, Skype, Google Voice, and a gazillion others that require NO credit cards or other rootedness in physical existence.
You don't have to MAKE the phone call or Zoom call to verify someone's existence -- although if they give you their number, why not? The real test is if they're WILLING to be flexible and transparent. If not, end the conversation.
I'm going to contrast these Goofus scammers with the oh-so-Gallant (a Highlights reference for you geezers!)
@rhiggie, who doesn't do PayPal for reasons that I fully support, but who offers a BUNCH of ways to contact him, and to verify his identity, including his phone number, his work address, and the offer to play the instruments he's selling for you on Zoom, so that you can see HIM, see the actual instrument, and hear it for yourself -- including the fact that the instrument is currently in his possession.
Heck, that might be the way to smoke out a scammer FAST -- will you play the instrument for me over Zoom? Their response will tell you a LOT.
Anyway, I love text messages, and we'll be doing more with text here for the people who prefer it, but I'll never recommend it as a way to verify a seller's identity.
Back under the hood for me for now....
