Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on the Question to view the Answer.
Q: What is eSAFE?
A: e-SAFE is a text messaging and email notification system that will notify registered users when there is a major emergency, crisis situation or disaster, or a weather emergency closing or delay for the Allegany College of Maryland campuses.
Q: How do I sign up for eSAFE alerts?
A: If you are a student, relative or employee of Allegany College of Maryland, please visit the Registration Page.
Q: I just signed up to eSAFE, what now?
A: When you create a User Account with eSAFE you will be redirected to a web page where you will need to validate your Mobile Phone or e-mail address. You will receive a 4-digit validation code. That code will need to be entered and submitted to successfully complete the registration process. Once registered you will be notified by ACM when a message is sent out.
Q: I have not received any messages on my Mobile Phone?
A: If you have signed up for eSAFE but are not receiving messages, your account might not yet be validated. To validate your account, simply login to your eSAFE account, click on the Services tab, and follow ALL the onscreen instructions to finish validating your mobile phone or email address. This involves receiving a code on your cell phone or email and typing that code onscreen. Once that is complete you will be registered.
NOTE: There are known issues with US Cellular subscribers. We are currently working on mending these issues. Please contact us via our eSAFE Help page to inform us of your issue.
Q: I'm having trouble registering with eSAFE?
A: All eSAFE subscribers must validate their accounts before receiving alerts. Validation is a once-per-year process, and it ensures you want to participate in the eSAFE service. If you’ve subscribed, but do not receive validation instructions, simply login to your eSAFE account, click on the Services tab, and follow ALL the onscreen instructions to finish validating your mobile phone or email address. If there is a problem with the cell provider at the time you try to register you may have to try the process again at a later time or another day.
Q: A message was sent out but I didn't receive mine until a few hours later?
A: Once ACM sends an alert through eSAFE, the message is sent to a large number of telephone and email service providers. These providers control how quickly messages are delivered to phones and email mailboxes. Delayed message delivery is almost always due to the telephone/email provider and how the message has been processed through their network. Emergency information and weather delays or cancellations are also posted on the Allegany College of Maryland web page at www.allegany.edu.
Q: The messages that I am recieving are 'cut-off'?
A: Certain cell phone providers limit the length of a text message. Some carriers deliver over-length text messages as two or more. Some simply discard the portion of the message that is too long. In the event that you receive an eSAFE alert and it is ‘cut off,’ you can view the entire message by logging in to your eSAFE account. Every effort will be made by ACM to make the messages as brief as possible to avoid this happening.
Q: Can I change my contact preferences?
A: Yes. You can change your account settings to add different email addresses or phone numbers.
Q: How do I Opt-Out (remove myself) from receiving eSAFE alerts?
A: Please log into your account to opt-out for eSAFE alerts. You may opt-out of email alerts only, SMS alerts only, or the entire service.
Q: How do I control what shows up on my phone?
A: You are given an opportunity to choose the kinds of messages you wish to receive on your mobile phone through a checkbox listing of groups. You can adjust your preferences from your Group settings.
Q: Will I receive unsolicited messages ("SPAM") on my mobile phone or email account?
A: NO. eSAFE enforces a ZERO SPAM policy which clearly prohibits unsolicited messages.
Q: Does your service work on multiple cell phone networks?
A: Yes. eSAFE is a cross-carrier service. See a list of wireless carriers supported here.
Q: Do I need to install software on my phone?
A: NO. eSAFE uses the industry standard SMS text messaging protocol to send messages to your phone. Your mobile phone plan will need to accept text messages to work properly.
Q: Will this cost me anything?
A: Maybe. There is no cost from the college. Depending on your wireless carrier provider and the plan you have, you may be charged a nominal fee (like ten cents per message) to receive SMS text messages. If you have an unlimited text messaging plan, there would be no additional charge.
return to the eSAFE information page
