... Maybe someone could shed some light on this.

I get text messages from a person that are all normal with the actual number they have.

When they send a pic, it comes back as the same basic number, but with an area code that is in Mexico.

I use to be able to reply to these while they were that way, but if I do now, only says invalid number.

If this person sends me a normal text, it's all cool, but if they send me a pic or something with an attachment, it goes thru the other number with the area code in Mexico.

Anyone have a clue???

Only the very first few messages were valid tho, the rest are one sided. Same person tho.

Have no idea why it is doing that but I suspect if you add 011-52 to the start of the number before you reply, it will go thru. You might get charged for a message to Mexico though.

Problem is, they live in the US and their cell phone service is based here too.

Area code where the pics go thru is 524, area code where the normal text's go thru is 574. Mexico on one side, Indiana on the other.

Maybe it's a bug, but I get different text's on my end from both numbers depending on the content. Pic goes thru the MX number, normal text goes thru the US number.

It's a bit perplexing.

My tinfoil hat is twitching.

Cmm

if u r able to show to the cell phone co, I would do so. Sounds a little shady to me, I would have to ck it out.

Tracy

It really is strange.

I deleted everything on my end associated with that number and had him send another pic. That number came back again, but only with pictures. Texts or on the other number.

Thanks for the replies, I'll get it checked out.

I'm not sure I can shed any light on this.

But recently, my supposedly "indestructible" phone I've had since I drowned my last one, started to discharge within just a few hours of fully charging it.

Since I love this mostly water proof and mostly shock proof Android phone, I wasn't very keen on trying to find a replacement.

I started by buying a new battery. No help. I at least attempted to erase all apps on the phone.

Just before heading off to buy a new phone, I removed the battery and the SIM card. I shorted the contacts where the battery should be connected. I did a few other things the manufacturer suggested to completely reset this phone to factory settings.

I'm now getting 3-4 days out of a charge. My browser, email, and texting all still work like they should.

I'm now thinking it may have been the "battery saver" app that was eating all of my battery life. But, it could have been any of a number of other apps.

I'm just not planning on ever adding any non-factory installed apps to this phone.

It works. It works like it should. It works as a phone. I can do texting and email with it. I can browse with it.

It just now has nothing but the initial uninstallable apps installed.

JKB, this may or may not help. A standard text message uses the SMS protocol which is sent via a cellular signal. Limited to 160 characters, they have a single source and a single destination, and are sent from point A to Point B directly.

Pictures sent to an individual or text messages sent to a group use the MMS protocol which is sent via the data network, either provided by the cellular network or a wireless network. They use a server that sits with a provider and distributes the message as a middle man.

Sometimes the middleman gets confused. If he is connected to a wireless network, have him try forcing the picture out via the cellular network. Turn off WIFI on the phone and then send the pic via text message. If you have the same result there may be a problem with his SIM card or the MMS settings may be jacked. MMS settings are dictated by the carrier and you should be able to find them online or with customer service.

Disclaimer: I am not a cell phone expert so there is a possibility the technology no longer works like this or my original understanding of the technology was/is incorrect. Good Luck.

Thanks Ben. It's my cell phone to JKB's. The pictures show up coming from the Mexican exchange (area code) even if I am away from my Wi-Fi signal at the house here, and I am out in the middle of the woods where there is no Wi-Fi.

I can't understand it.

Want to send me a pic to see if it is a problem with your phone? If you do, PM me and I will give you my number.

Bill, others that I send pictures to don't have the problem, it's specific to JKB's phone. Why, I don't know. Even when I send a picture down to people in Texas, it comes up as this phone area code, not the area code that is showing up on HKB's phone.

I was in Dallas/Garland when I first sent him a picture from my phone. How it came up with the Mexican area code I have no idea.

That initiated during the PB auction and several texts went back and forth as to status of the auction thru that number. Didn't want to get out bid

Anyway, the initial text was sent by me to the correct number. The number originated from a contact import from my email to my cell, which all have the correct number.

The exchanges at that time only lasted for a few, but the initial reply to me was the other number. Shortly after, all texts went thru the correct number, but all pics from esshup go thru the MX number.

Seriously, it was like two different people.

I'll need to know the carrier, but I could send you an email to your text, you reply to that with a normal text. I'll verify that I got it, then you send a pic to that contact info. It won't be my cell number tho.

Boss kinda freaked the first time I sent an email to his text. I learned that a few years ago from one of my control buddies trying to skate around requirements on some remote equipment to have a dedicated cell service for text messages. Works really well, and can even send a text thru a landline.

Bill D. get in touch with JKB and see if a text/pic comes thru as 2 different numbers.

It's on your end because it is being sent. I can't send it!

All that can be on my end is received from the source.

Could be, but it's only showing up on your phone. The other people that I know that get images/pictures from me have them showing up on the real area code.

Like I said, I don't understand it at all.

Both came thru from Bill on the same number, as everyone else.

This is strange.

The Mexican Cartel has piggy backed on your phone!

Just kidding of course, but they are well represented in my area of Goshen, Elkhart, and Ligonier according to a State Trooper customer. It would be easy to set up shop and blend in in Ligonier as it's 40 percent hispanic last I knew.

Esshup,

Suggest you check place of manufacture on your phone. I suspect it was made in Mexico and is just trying to call home!

esshup -> JKB text only (SMS) = correct number
esshup -> JKB pic (MMS) = Mexico
esshup -> JKB + others txt only (MMS) = ????

esshup -> antone but JKB txt or pic (SMS/MMS) = correct number

esshup -> Bill text only (SMS) = correct number
esshup -> Bill pic (MMS) = correct number

Bill -> JKB text only (SMS) = correct number
Bill -> JKB pic (MMS) = correct number

Notes:
1) Cecil is now a drug dealer, my assumption he packs the drugs in all the dead fish he mails.
2) esshup, send a text only message to JKB and Bill (group message). Bill and JKB post results and correct anything above.
3) JKB, have you tried deleting all messages from esshup, shut down phone for 1 minute, and then power phone on. Maybe there is a uid stuck/cached associated with esshup.
4) JKB, Android or iOS? Version? Mexican company that made the phone? App name used for messaging?
5) Are any of the 3 of you in the same area code?

Leaning towards JKB APN/MMS setings or SIM card but not there yet.

This could just be a Tin Foil Hat issue like CMM mentioned. You know, a picture is worth a thousand words, and a text, as Ben mentioned, is only good for 160 characters.

Shortly after the second to the last pic, that deer you dropped in it's tracks, a couple choppers buzzed over head and slowed down for a wee bit then took off.

Of course I am just kidding, but not about the choppers, they rattled the house!

Are you using an app to send pics?

I have no clue on how to send a pic from my phone, but think I need an app.

Emails with Office 365 are a whole lot easier than texts, at least that's what I think.

There has gotta be an explanation for this tho.

Motorola Atrix on AT&T. Android, and stock text, no added app.

Works fine with everyone else. If you read above, the other number came from a reply to me. That is the original source of that number.

I deleted everything associated with that number from my phone, wiped it out. Reboot phone. Esshup sends me a pic of his fireplace, and it's on the MX number.

Here is something really weird!!!

A guy at work sent me a text pic of the old push button panel for a coaster I upgraded to PLC control this past spring.

Date was April 21st this year at 8:40am.

Guess what showed up when I opened that text a few minutes ago.

April 21st:
8:38am, pic of esshups fire place.
8:39am, pic of esshups fire place.
8:40am, pic of esshups fire place.
8:40am, pic of esshups fire place.
8:40am, pic of the old push button panel for the coaster.
8:41am, pic of esshups fire place.
8:42am, pic of esshups fire place.

These were never there the day I got the pic from Billy, but esshup did send me a pic of the fire place a long time ago from the MX number.

Even more strange...

Got a few texts from Bruce Condello with video about his raceway above the pond. Really nice!!

A few texts back and forth after that, but guess what showed up???

July 12th,
5:53pm, a pic of esshups fire place.
5:55pm, a pic of esshups fire place.


I'm not kidding here, esshups fire place is getting around!

Anybody have a pic of Esshup's fireplace they can send me?

I have eight, which one do you want?

If you want, I'll forward it to you.

I wonder if Bruce or Billy have a copy of that. I'll call Billy.

So what your telling me is esshup is the mule for Cecil's operation which is why he sends pics from Mexico. j/k

When you say stock app, I assume the Motorola Messages app and not Google Messages or Hangouts.

You can check the APN settings but DO NOT CHANGE. You can very easily not receive any pics or group texts if they change.

Go to phone settings —> more… —>mobile networks —>Access Point Names

Name: ATT Phone
APN: phone
Proxy: Not set
Port: Not set
Username: Not set
Password: Not set
Server: Not set
MMSC: http://mmsc.mobile.att.net
MMS Proxy: proxy.mobile.att.net
MMS port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 410
Authentication type: None
APN type: default,mms,supl,hipri
APN protocol: IPv4
APN roaming protocol: IPv4
Bearer: Unspecified
Mobile Virtual network operator: Not set

Again, please do not change. If it is empty not a big deal, they may be using the SIM to program. Sorry Verizon user for many years, not AT&T

Ben, it seems to be all set from the sim, and you can't change anything.

How long have you had the SIM? It could still be on esshup's side, but really looking like your's as you have rogue messages showing up in other conversations. Could look at more but it would require physical access to the phone which is probably overkill. Depending on age, I would first get a new SIM which will have no effect on the user interface. Should be able to pick one up at the store or even order it through their website. If it is really bothering you there are 2 other options if the new SIM doesn't work:

Kill the app. If you go Settings -> Applications -> scroll to the app and select. Do a force close and delete data and cache. Instructions may not be exactly right as it changes between versions. There is a small database that stores all the txt info, it could be corrupt. YOU WILL LOSE ALL TEXT MESSAGES AND ASSOCIATED PICS

I would look at maybe doing a factory reset but you would lose everything, more or less. Google is pretty good about backing stuff up but you would lose some stuff, IF you use Google to back it up.

Also, AT&T store may see this frequently, so it never hurts to ask even if it is ALWAYS a painful experience.

I had this before he did.

Ben, this is my cell from work. I just deleted everything from esshup, yanked the battery and did a reset. No, I did not loose anything, except what I deleted. Seems cool now because the text from Billy only shows what he sent me. No fireplace.

I'll have esshup send me another pic.

Sorry man. I see my phone has now started sending you pictures of my fireplace....

I saw that, but my eyes are not that small.

Let's see if that shows up on everything

My wife and boys have IPhone6. Mine is lucky to even take a picture!

Calling it quits on this. Esshup got one of his buddies involved, but the pics still come thru the MX number.

It is what it is and not worth wasting any more time over.

Thanks for all your help!!

Now that's funny!

Ben the cartel is coming to your door for exposing me.

Be afraid! Be afraid!

I sent a picture via text to a buddy and JKB as a group message, my buddy's phone showed the Indiana number, JKB's the Mexico number (area code).

I have no idea why.

Seems this a fairly common issue with AT&T. Several threads on the net about it. Here's one.

http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mms-coming-from-wrong-sending-address.801375/

FWIW, I have Verizon.

Don't they share infrastructure? Or does that not matter?

Cecil, you got me. I have no idea.

They buy from each other, so in essence, they do share some of it, but doubt the same software.

Reading a bit more about this, it is not limited to any one carrier or the type of phone, but iPhones seem to have the most grief.

Reading about one guy where his wife sent numerous pics of herself to him, all went to some poor slob (his words) in another state.

Could just be a bug in my phone as well. It does goofy things once in a while.

I'll hit the boss up for a new phone next week. After all, he has to keep me happy

JKB pretty much hit it on the head. The technologies are different from a voice perspective and on the 3G side of the house. With the advent of LTE, most carriers will be semi-compatible once all phones switch to voice using LTE exclusively which my guess would be in the next 3-5 years. I say semi-compatible only b/c you never know what b/s system they will put in place to prevent you from switching carriers easily. I believe Sprint and Verizon are CDMA and AT&T and T-mobile are GSM. Rest of the world uses GSM. The servers that perform distribution of MMS messages will always be carrier specific.

Without going into boring lengths, LTE is a game changer that will interfere (step on) other wireless networks that can not coexist in the same air space.

Yep, hardware is available, but at a price. The ship yard on an industrial network is gonna wait till prices come down.

Got a new phone today. Samsung S6 Active. I kinda like it, and it plays well with web servers.

Anyway, waiting for esshup to send a pic to see what happens.

Yep, pics work normal now. Must have been a bug in my phone when this started a couple years ago, and the phone was no longer capable of being updated. It followed it's path.

From what I've been reading tho, most drop support after 2 years on phones.

Both are Samsung phones tho. Atrix was pre Google acquirement of Motorola, but still had a crap load of Google stuff on it and had to do all this Google crap to make it work.