Scam text ??

[AM1970]

Yesterday while up the mountains in Cumbria I received a text from EE (??) Welcoming me to the Isle of Man and advising I will pay a daily charge for usage !!. Haven't opened it as I presume it is a scam, as EE must know my phone isn't in Isle of Man ? Please clarify !

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

This sounds like a standard welcome text when your phone first registers on a foreign network, but if you post the exact verbartim wording of the message, that may help confirm.

If you're in Cumbria and out of service of EE-UK, it's quite possible your phone is registering on a Manx network.

[AM1970]

So you are certain it is safe to open the message ?

[bristolian]

Reading a text message is perfectly safe.

[AM1970]

Thanks for advice.
Copied text -

Hi from EE, Welcome to The Isle of Man, you'll pay £2.29 per day to use
your minutes, texts and data allowance. Visit care.ee.co.uk/roaming for
more information.

Calls to countries outside the EU (not including the UK) are £1.54 per min
and texts 64p each. Other charges are the same as when you're in the UK.

For the best network coverage your handset must automatically select a
network. To do this, choose your phone from:
http://ee.co.uk/help/phones-and-device next select 'Connectivity' then
'Selecting Network'.

Call +447953966250 for Customer Services & 112 in case of emergency. Have a
good trip!

[bristolian]

That's the standard welcome message I referred to above.

A scam text is usually obvious by them wanting you to call an expensive premium-rate number, or volunteer some personal details.

[Fatboy71]

I live in Cumbria and recall a couple of occasions where I've got a similar sounding text to yours, when up on the fells. 

I think due to the poor coverage in the Lake District, and with the Isle Of Man been within view when on some of the fells, the phone can sometimes connect to an Isle Of Man network. 

[AM1970]

And did you get charged for roaming ?

[Fatboy71]

I'm pretty certain I did not. But this was a few years ago. 

[bristolian]

Roaming charges for the Isle of Man are set out at https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/roaming-costs/countries/isleofman

The notifiation text is working as designed, to advise you that you're using a foreign network - this behaviour can sometimes happen in border areas when your home network has no coverage. Northern Ireland, Dover & Cumbria are examples.