Telkom sends Phishing-like SMSes from long number

I occasionally receive unsolicited SMSes from you. This is not usually a problem but the one I just received warrants complaint, if it is indeed from Telkom. The SMS invites one to send one's phone and ID numbers for a balance enquiry.<br> <br> Firstly, it comes from one of those ultra-long numbers that vary all the time. These long, variable numbers play to the spammer because they are impossible to block. It makes one feel powerless to stop it. It looks like spam even when it isn't.<br> <br> Secondly, in addition to coming from an unverifiable number this SMS invites one to send sensitive information to a number that one cannot verify: ***. This is a serious security hazard in a country where phishing enterprises fleece hundred of millions of Rands from unsuspecting people and pesters many more. How is one supposed to know that the SMS is indeed from Telkom? (if I phone Telkom to ask them whose number it is, they will refuse.) And how is one supposed to know if the SMS is NOT from Telkom, since Telkom does not, as a rule, SMS me from a number I can add to my phone book? Why is Telkom communicating in a way that is favoured by spammers, phishers and con artists?