Where does the 31061 text message come from?
31061 is a shared SMS short code—not owned by any single company.
It’s most commonly associated with Nexmo (Vonage) and used by services like Garmin Messenger, Name.com, and Shop Pay for verification codes and account alerts.
The code itself is legitimate—but because multiple businesses share it, messages can be confusing. If you didn’t request a code, don’t click any links and don’t share it with anyone.
Who owns the short code 31061?
- No single documented owner—it’s a shared short code
- Primary platform: Nexmo (owned by Vonage)
- Used by Garmin Messenger, Name.com, Shop Pay, and various automotive dealerships
- Not listed under one brand in the US Short Code Registry.
Unlike dedicated short codes that belong to a single business, 31061 operates as a multi-service number. Different companies lease access through Nexmo’s messaging platform and send texts from the same code.
That means a Garmin verification code and a Shop Pay checkout confirmation can both arrive from 31061.
You can look up short code ownership through the US Short Code Registry maintained by the CTIA—but for 31061 specifically, you won’t find a single registered brand. The message content itself is your best clue for identifying the actual sender.
Why you got a text from 31061
- 2FA codes—you (or someone) tried logging into Garmin, Name.com, Shop Pay, or another service.
- Checkout verification—Shop Pay sends purchase confirmations through this number.
- Appointment reminders—some automotive dealerships use 31061 for service and test-drive confirmations.
- Account security alerts—login attempts, password changes, or suspicious activity notifications.
The 2FA codes are the most common reason people search for this number. When you log in to a service that uses Nexmo’s platform, 31061 sends the one-time password to confirm your identity.
Shop Pay (Shopify’s payment system) also routes checkout verification through this code. If you just made an online purchase, that’s likely what triggered the text.
The message content usually identifies the sending company by name. If it doesn’t—that’s a red flag.
Is the 31061 short code safe or a scam?
- You just logged in and the timing matches → safe, use the code
- Verification code you didn’t request → suspicious, don’t share it
- You don’t use any service tied to this code → likely a mistyped number, ignore it
- Message includes a link or asks for personal info → scam.
The short code is legitimate. The concern is what’s inside the message.
Because 31061 doesn’t have a single documented owner, messages from it are harder to verify than codes from dedicated short codes used by major banks or tech companies. That ambiguity is exactly what scammers exploit.
Users on Reddit’s r/AskNetsec discuss receiving unknown 2FA codes from various short codes—often a sign that someone is probing accounts tied to their phone number.
If you didn’t initiate anything and the code just showed up, someone probably entered your number by mistake during signup. It happens constantly—one wrong digit is all it takes. The code will expire on its own.
How to spot a 31061 phishing scam
Scammers love shared short codes because they’re harder to trace back to a single brand. Here’s how to tell a real message from a fake one:
| Legitimate message | Phishing attempt |
| You initiated a login or purchase | Code arrives out of nowhere |
| Contains only a numeric code | Includes a clickable link |
| Mentions a brand you actually use | Generic greeting like “Dear Customer” |
| No follow-up contact asking for the code | Someone calls or texts asking you to share it |
The biggest tell? Follow-up contact. If someone calls, texts, or emails asking you to read back a verification code you just received—that’s always a scam. Legitimate companies never do this.
The Google Voice scam (and why 31061 gets used for it)
Here’s how it works: a scammer tries to register a Google Voice number using your phone number. You receive a verification code from 31061. Then the scammer contacts you—usually through a marketplace listing or social media—and asks you to “verify you’re real” by sharing the code.
Once they have it, they’ve registered a Google Voice number in your name. They’ll use it to run further scams that trace back to you, not them.
The rule is simple: never share a verification code with anyone, for any reason. No legitimate company or person will ever ask you to do this.
What to do if you receive a text from 31061
If you use Garmin, Shop Pay, or another service on this code:
- Check if you just tried to log in or make a purchase. If the timing matches, the code is legitimate—enter it on the official app or website you were already using.
- Never enter the code on a page you reached through a link in the text. Open the app or type the URL yourself.
- Consider switching to an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) if the service supports it. App-based codes can’t be intercepted the way SMS can.
If you don’t recognize the service:
Don’t respond. Replying confirms your number is active, which can lead to more spam.
Never share the code. If someone contacts you requesting it—hang up immediately.
Check your email for account creation confirmations or password reset notices. Someone may be trying to create accounts using your phone number.
Screenshot the message (sender, content, timestamp) in case you need to report identity theft later.
- Change passwords immediately for any accounts tied to your phone number.
- Check your email and bank accounts for unauthorized activity.
- Monitor your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com for the next few weeks.
Not receiving codes from 31061?
If you’re trying to log in to Garmin Messenger or another service and the code isn’t arriving, try these fixes:
- Text HELP to 31061—this unblocks the service and can trigger the verification flow, especially useful for Garmin users.
- Check your phone’s blocked contacts list—make sure 31061 isn’t on it.
- Confirm your phone plan supports Premium SMS (some basic plans block short codes by default).
- Make sure you haven’t previously texted STOP to 31061—that opts you out of all messages from every service using it.
If none of that works, contact the specific service’s support team directly. The issue may be on their end, not yours.
Managing your 31061 messages
| Command | What it does |
| STOP | Unsubscribes you from all messages sent through 31061 (affects every service using this code) |
| HELP | Returns contact information for the current sender; can also unblock delivery |
| Forward to 7726 | Reports the message as spam to your carrier |
Keep in mind: because 31061 is shared, texting STOP blocks messages from all companies using it—not just the one you want to silence. If you rely on Garmin or Shop Pay verification codes, blocking the number will lock you out of those too.
How to report suspicious messages
- Forward to 7726 (SPAM)—works across all major US carriers
- File with the FTC—report phishing attempts at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Block the number—but weigh the trade-off if you use any services that send from 31061
- Monitor your accounts—check bank statements and credit reports for a few weeks after any suspicious contact
Forwarding to 7726 is the fastest way to flag the message. Your carrier investigates and may block future messages from that sender.
FAQ
Why did I get a random text with a verification code?
Two likely explanations. First, someone mistyped their phone number during login or account creation—your number is one digit off from theirs, so you got their code by mistake. Second, an attacker is trying to access an account tied to your phone number or set up a new one (like Google Voice) in your name. Either way, never share the code with anyone.
What is a messenger short code?
A short code is a 5–6 digit phone number designed for high-volume business-to-consumer text messaging. Unlike regular 10-digit numbers, short codes can send thousands of messages per second—making them ideal for verification codes, security alerts, and promotional campaigns. Some codes are dedicated to one company, while others (like 31061) are shared across multiple services.
Why am I getting a text with a link from 31061?
If you received a message from 31061 that includes a link you didn’t request, it’s likely smishing—SMS phishing designed to steal your credentials or install malware. Legitimate verification messages from this code typically contain only a numeric code, not clickable links. Don’t tap the link. Instead, open the company’s official app or website by typing the URL yourself.
Can I stop receiving texts from 31061?
Yes—text STOP to 31061 to unsubscribe. But remember, this is a shared short code. Opting out blocks messages from every service that uses it, including ones you might actually need (like Garmin or Shop Pay). If you only want to stop spam while keeping legitimate alerts, try texting HELP first to get contact info for the specific sender, then unsubscribe from that company directly.
