Low cost way to have a USA phone number

[JohnOFphon]

5 or 6 times a year, my bank and or credit card sent me a OTP..for issues with my accounts. 

They will not send emails with a code.

Now I have a friend in the states phone number listed as my contact number. When there is a need for a code to be sent, I must call him before I click "send a code". Once the code is received, I enter it , and all is well...

I am going back for a visit next week, and if necessary I can buy a cell phone while there.

But how can I get the phone to work here? Receive a message the same as if I were using my friends phone?

Of course the cheapest option that works is of interest.

Thanks

[bamnutsak]

Buy and activate an UltraMobile PAYG SIM, $3/month.

 

https://www.ultramobile.com/paygo/

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285112988423

 

 

 

Then get a Google Voice number (free), as a cost-effective back-up option.

 

 

[G_Money]

I maintain my T Mobile account even when in Thailand.  Switch back and forth between them and DTAC via eSIM when I need to.

 

All of my accounts, bank, brokerage, websites that require authentication are registered with my USA phone number.

 

Have read some negative reviews about Google not working when needed so I prefer a sure thing when needed.

 

Cheaper is not always better 

 

 

 

[timendres]

I use Skype. I pay $15 every three months for an unlimited minutes plan with the US.

I also pay $15 every three months for a US phone number attached to my Skype account.

I can receive the OTP SMS messages from my credit card bank to confirm purchases.

Family and friends can call a US number that rings my phone and computer simultaneously.

I can call US phone numbers from Skype for free. Nice when I need to call my bank.

It is not super cheap, but it works well.

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, timendres said:

I use Skype. I pay $15 every three months for an unlimited minutes plan with the US.

I also pay $15 every three months for a US phone number attached to my Skype account.

I can receive the OTP SMS messages from my credit card bank to confirm purchases.

Family and friends can call a US number that rings my phone and computer simultaneously.

I can call US phone numbers from Skype for free. Nice when I need to call my bank.

It is not super cheap, but it works well.

My understanding is that most US financial firms will not accept skype for 2 factor codes.

[The Fugitive]

20 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

My understanding is that most US financial firms will not accept skype for 2 factor codes.

Correct. US financial institutions are wary of sending OTP's via VOIP services. Also, Skype itself does not (or doesn't any longer) support 2FA; 

 

'You can receive SMS messages on your US Skype Number from US and Canadian mobile numbers. However, SMS messages sent from services such as identity verification are not supported on US Skype Numbers'.

[timendres]

On 10/20/2024 at 5:53 PM, Jingthing said:

My understanding is that most US financial firms will not accept skype for 2 factor codes.

 

There is something about "how" the SMS is sent. I read about it once, but have forgotten now.

However, I receive OTP codes via SMS sent my Skype phone number for both logins and for online purchase confirmation.

It has worked for several years now. This is with CapitalOne.

If I remember correctly, my Bank of America purchase confirmation SMS would never arrive.

[GypsyT]

On 10/20/2024 at 3:58 PM, bamnutsak said:

Buy and activate an UltraMobile PAYG SIM, $3/month.

I've had this and working fine for 2 years but recently T-mobile shut off my account when I used VPN and laptop to add money to the wallet.

Now I need to call to 1.800 using my smartphone but not possible - roaming not activated, and not enough money in wallet and 1-800 not working aboard. I'm stuck till I go to US.

 

My fault. I should have had roaming and WiFi activated. Plus enough $$$ in wallet (I never keep any cards "in file").

Increased US paranoia over security? Maybe, maybe not. It's same in everywhere.

PS. Luckily verification SMS codes from my banks are still coming OK.

[youngexpat]

i use a google voice for my OTP's from schwab

[NanLaew]

On 10/25/2024 at 3:28 PM, youngexpat said:

i use a google voice for my OTP's from schwab

 

Last time I checked, Google voice asks for a non VOIP number as part of the account setup.

[NanLaew]

An American friend of mine is using a Tello eSIM that he set up online while here in Thailand. It's $5.50/month and works for 2FA with his banks and online stuff.

Edited 2 hours ago by NanLaew

[NanLaew]

This also seems like a good option. Scroll to the last post from @FarangRimPing

 

 

[mogandave]

Having a US phone seems to be more and more critical. I recently had to do a fee large (to me) transfers which I would normally go through without a hitch. I ended up on the phone five or six times to get the first one to go through. 

 

I have mint mobile in an old iphone. Works here and in the states.  WiFi calling lets me send and receive calls and whatnot free while in Thailand.

[digbeth]

while it's much easier to get a sim card like e-sim with us numbers from Thailand without even having to leave your house just activaste e-sim on your phone, the use case seem to be targeted towards travellers to the US

 

if any of those sim supports wifi-calling it could work in Thailand without the need for roaming charge to use US number in Thailand