function checkStatus() {
  $.post("status.php", { phone_number : $("#phone_number").val() },
    function(data) { updateStatus(data.status); }, "json");
}

function updateStatus(current) {
  if (current === "unverified") {
    $("#status").append(".");
    setTimeout(checkStatus, 3000);
  }
  else {
    success();
  }
}

function success() {
  $("#status").text("Verified!");
}