Having a Canadian cell number while living abroad for receiving authentication texts purposes
Posted by Koreancaisbaby@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 12 comments
I got rid of my Canadian number a while ago after deciding to stay abroad longer than I intended. But I’d like to find a solution for having a Canadian cell number I can keep active for receiving bank verifications and other 2FA things that require a cell number.
I don’t want to pay out of my butt for having an account with any of the major telecom companies because they said even to receive one text while I’m abroad would cost $19 per text. Plus the monthly costs to have the number active.
Anyone find a good solution for this?
No-Fig-3748@reddit
Freedom Mobile, $99/year and use with wifi calling feature, you get calls and sms as if you were in Canada. Look into the wifi feature. I can also do Voip.ms + Groundwire but that is a VOIP solution. Works with TD for login/getting sms however if buying a plane ticket or something, sometimes Visa would launch their 3D secure, pull all your numbers from the bank profile, your VOIP is present but will not work, seems Visa does not deal in VOIP, but Freedom Mobile does. You just need to be in Canada to get the SIM then set up the wifi calling feature and you are good to go, you can extend another year online from overseas.
daveinRaleigh@reddit
Google Voice allows you to receive free texts abroad (I believe) if you're on Wi-Fi. Could be an option
FigFun860@reddit
Works for some, but others recognize its as voip and wont accept it
today6666@reddit
Maybe text now? Haven’t used it recently so might have changed.
Koreancaisbaby@reddit (OP)
It’s so annoying I tried it. And it’s full of ads and you have to use it actively every week or the number becomes inactive
duoFON@reddit
https://www.fongo.com/ ?
(I've never personally used their service tho)
Koreancaisbaby@reddit (OP)
I’ve tried them. And paid for the service and didn’t work at all.
malatemilo@reddit
Yeah I actually also wanted to use fongo then I read that it doesn’t support texts from short-code numbers :( have you found anything else? I’m in the same boat as you
Koreancaisbaby@reddit (OP)
Still haven’t found a good option :(
thepageofswords@reddit
Have you tried Google voice? I paid I think $25 once and can still receive texts to my US number from the UK
MarJackson71@reddit
I am moving to Panama soon, and I changed my MFA with the CRA to have a grid instead of my cell phone number. They provide you a 3 x 3 grid or 4 x 4 I don’t remember and when you go to sign in they ask you for the code in three different grids.
I currently bank with TD. And I downloaded the app, and I can use my email address and my WhatsApp number when I’m in Panama.
I will set it up for my email address before we leave, and then update it to add my phone number when I’m in Panama. I am not keeping my Canadian number at all.
Koreancaisbaby@reddit (OP)
I’ve done that for most things but some still only give option for phone and not email. It’s super annoying.