Is 50409 rgb a Scam? Resistbot Message
The "50409 rgb" movement is a not a scam. Texting “RBG” to 50409 engages Resistbot and generates a letter of support sent to a user’s political representatives. This type of trending social engagement first started in April, when the same format was used to support the USPS (United States Postal Office), which was just about to be shut down. Back then, the message that was sent around was “Text USPS to 50409”. The campaign was successful, as confirmed by Jason Putorti, the Executive Director of Resistbot. Putorti claimed the platform sent more than 4 million letters to senators like Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and many local representatives.
What is Resistbot?
Resistbot is a volunteer group that, as mentioned, sends your letters to elected officials. Once the user engages in such a support campaign, Resistbot asks for its name and address. It then attaches that person’s name to the letter and sends out three copies: two to their U.S. Senators and one to their local U.S. Representative.
On Aug. 15, 2020, Democratic Congressional candidate Allen Ellison tweeted that “If you text USPS to 50409 they will send letters to your senators and representative in support of the postal service. It literally takes under a minute.” A similar exhortation posted on Facebook read: “Pushback pressure is working. Text USPS to 50409. This one-word text will automatically send a letter to your local representatives using Resistbot and urge them to take action. Thanks.”
How the "Text rbg to 50409" Works
The user texts “USPS” to 50409. The bot automatically and immediately replies, asking if the user wants to electronically sign a “Support the USPS” letter and send it to the user’s political representatives. It also offers to show a sample of what the letter will look like:
When the user replies with “SAMPLE,” the bot replies with a link to a screenshot of the form letter and asks if the user would like to sign it:
After the user confirms, the bot then asks for a first and last name and a mailing address:
The bot adds the user’s name to the petition and the mailing address allows it to identify the user’s congressional district. The bot then automatically sends the letter via email to the corresponding members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.
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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.