Hi, can anyone recommend a service that provides UK phone numbers that work with UK banks phone verification?

Thanks

Giffgaff SIM

Find it online,free but takes a week or two to arrive.

Get a sim from giffgaff

https://www.giffgaff.com/freesim-international

usually takes 7 days to come but just in case order one wait a few days and order another, having a spare is sensible anyway

5 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Get a sim from giffgaff

https://www.giffgaff.com/freesim-international

usually takes 7 days to come but just in case order one wait a few days and order another, having a spare is sensible anyway

I cannot get mine to work.....tried everything......just says SIM not assigned to network????

28 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

I cannot get mine to work.....tried everything......just says SIM not assigned to network????

were you able to activate it?

12 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

were you able to activate it?

I used it in the UK when I got it, no prob's.

Should be ok, try putting in a different sim slot, i had a faulty one, also try phoning using a different telephone, see if it rings

5 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

I used it in the UK when I got it, no prob's.

Just in case you did enable roaming presumably?

3 minutes ago, topt said:

Just in case you did enable roaming presumably?

Yes....I tried to get some sense out of Giff Gaff, but gave up in the end.......I just use my True account and the 066.....

13 hours ago, MIke B Bad said:

Yes....I tried to get some sense out of Giff Gaff, but gave up in the end.......I just use my True account and the 066.....

You might like to try lodging a formal complaint with them. That's what I did when my giffgaff number suddenly and unexpectedly died on me a few weeks ago, and normal service was restored within 3 days.

The following link explains how you go about doing this (I bypassed the agents and went straight for the "formal complaint to us" option):

https://help.giffgaff.com/en/articles/245982-how-to-make-a-complaint

Edited July 27Jul 27 by OJAS

2 hours ago, OJAS said:

You might like to try lodging a formal complaint with them. That's what I did when my giffgaff number suddenly and unexpectedly died on me a few weeks ago, and normal service was restored within 3 days.

The following link explains how you go about doing this (I bypassed the agents and went straight for the "formal complaint to us" option):

https://help.giffgaff.com/en/articles/245982-how-to-make-a-complaint

Cheers...I'll give that a bash.

On 7/26/2026 at 2:22 PM, happydays said:

Hi, can anyone recommend a service that provides UK phone numbers that work with UK banks phone verification?

Thanks

Hi,

I enclose the link for whom I use exactly for the purpose you are describing.

Some of my accounts need verification codes, and they must be sent to a UK number.

I use these guys, call.com as in seconds I get my confirmation through to my phone in Thailand. I signed up using my Thai number. It's a virtual number, not an e-SIM.

You get your number straight away as soon as you sign up, once you've paid your fee it works and you are given a UK number.

The banks send your codes there, and it pings on your Thai number, but the messages are sent to your virtual number.

It keeps everyone happy. Of course, it works in Wi-Fi areas or also through my AIS network connected to 5G

You can make cheap calls etc, and it has other uses, with it, but I purposely use it as my line for UK banks.

https://app.call.com/calls/10dcc3dd-ce2a-4d84-b094-2fbf7cf91908

Edited July 28Jul 28 by Scouse123

If you're using gifgaf opt for the esim if your phone supports it. It's activated instantly plus no waiting around for it to arrive. Been using them for about 2 years now.

The only requiment is to make a chargeable event every 6 months which I send an sms to a friend in UK although it probably doesn't need to be sent to UK.

They will email you when the 6 months is running out or just mark on your calendar for a reminder every 5 months, 3 weeks. International texts cost 30p I believe so 60p per year to keep an active UK number.

Edited July 28Jul 28 by dontpanic

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Hi,

I enclose the link for whom I use exactly for the purpose you are describing.

Some of my accounts need verification codes, and they must be sent to a UK number.

I use these guys, call.com as in seconds I get my confirmation through to my phone in Thailand. I signed up using my Thai number. It's a virtual number, not an e-SIM.

You get your number straight away as soon as you sign up, once you've paid your fee it works and you are given a UK number.

The banks send your codes there, and it pings on your Thai number, but the messages are sent to your virtual number.

It keeps everyone happy. Of course, it works in Wi-Fi areas or also through my AIS network connected to 5G

You can make cheap calls etc, and it has other uses, with it, but I purposely use it as my line for UK banks.

https://app.call.com/calls/10dcc3dd-ce2a-4d84-b094-2fbf7cf91908

I also use Call.com. It works perfectly, for making and receiving calls, SMS, and for keypad entry of confirmation data, pins, etc.

The cost is low, and it is necessary to keep a small positive balance in the account. All billing etc is done online and no physical address is required: the account is based on the phone number on your sim when you sign up.

27 minutes ago, dontpanic said:

If you're using gifgaf opt for the esim if your phone supports it. It's activated instantly plus no waiting around for it to arrive. Been using them for about 2 years now.

The only requiment is to make a chargeable event every 6 months which I send an sms to a friend in UK although it probably doesn't need to be sent to UK.

They will email you when the 6 months is running out or just mark on your calendar for a reminder every 5 months, 3 weeks. International texts cost 30p I believe so 60p per year to keep an active UK number.

you can send an sms to yourself, that's what i do, esim is a good plan b, problem i read about is when changing phones with esims

Giffgaff told me you must use it at least once and open their website or app once every 6 months to keep it active. I'm never sure if receiving my banks SMS OTPs counts as usage said so I always send a text at least once while I Winter in Thailand.

33 minutes ago, SunsetT said:

Giffgaff told me you must use it at least once and open their website or app once every 6 months to keep it active. I'm never sure if receiving my banks SMS OTPs counts as usage said so I always send a text at least once while I Winter in Thailand.

Not sure about GiffGaff but Asda sim specifically say there must be a chargeable event at least once every 6 months.

So receiving an OTP by SMS wouldn't count as it is free.

1 hour ago, topt said:

Not sure about GiffGaff but Asda sim specifically say there must be a chargeable event at least once every 6 months.

So receiving an OTP by SMS wouldn't count as it is free.

I also use Asda,s sim and I noticed last year that sending an SMS back to the UK to keep it active didn`t work anymore....cost used to be 40 pence....I now make a quick call to my son at a cost of 1.49 so nearly 3 quid a year....still well worth it.

I contacted Asda Mobile about the issue and there reply was.....try making a call LOL

38 minutes ago, petermik said:

I also use Asda,s sim and I noticed last year that sending an SMS back to the UK to keep it active didn`t work anymore....cost used to be 40 pence....I now make a quick call to my son at a cost of 1.49 so nearly 3 quid a year....still well worth it.

I contacted Asda Mobile about the issue and there reply was.....try making a call LOL

That's because most of the UK Sims turned on "rcs chat" which changes SMS messages to free internet based SMS.

You need to turn it off in your phone SIM card settings to direct the SMS back to the charged messaging.

Look for 'google messages', your profile (top right), and it's in that drop down menu, or in the settings of that menu.

Edited July 28Jul 28 by BritManToo

2 hours ago, petermik said:

I also use Asda,s sim and I noticed last year that sending an SMS back to the UK to keep it active didn`t work anymore....cost used to be 40 pence....I now make a quick call to my son at a cost of 1.49 so nearly 3 quid a year....still well worth it.

I contacted Asda Mobile about the issue and there reply was.....try making a call LOL

This on their site - https://mobile.asda.com/rates-and-charges

Does my balance ever expire?

As long as you use some mobile data or make a chargeable call or text once every 180 days, your credit won’t expire.

To be fair I send from my UK sim to my Thai sim and check there has been a reduction in my balance. So far it has worked......

But yes even at 5 or 10 quid a year well worth it

13 hours ago, BritManToo said:

That's because most of the UK Sims turned on "rcs chat" which changes SMS messages to free internet based SMS.

You need to turn it off in your phone SIM card settings to direct the SMS back to the charged messaging.

Look for 'google messages', your profile (top right), and it's in that drop down menu, or in the settings of that menu.

Many Thanks.....👌

22 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

you can send an sms to yourself, that's what i do, esim is a good plan b, problem i read about is when changing phones with esims

Had a quick look on the app, looks like you can get a new esim fairly easily by selecting replace sim card and choosing esim bit only during UK office hours. Will send sms to myself next time 👍

You might like to try lodging a formal complaint with them. That's what I did when my giffgaff number suddenly and unexpectedly died on me a few weeks ago, and normal service was restored within 3 days.

In America , 3 days would not be acceptable. Resolving it after 4 hours of talking to 10 different people is. 😄

Personally don't use an eSIM for security reasons, but Saily was recommended to me by the rich kids (Digital Nomads)

British customer service is noted for their politeness but not efficiency. 🥁

2 hours ago, petermik said:

Many Thanks.....👌

PS.

Would point out 'RCS chat' is not Google giving you something for free.

It's to enable the UK government the ability to read all SMS messages without a warrent.

On 7/28/2026 at 11:24 AM, dontpanic said:

If you're using gifgaf opt for the esim if your phone supports it. It's activated instantly plus no waiting around for it to arrive. Been using them for about 2 years now.

The only requiment is to make a chargeable event every 6 months which I send an sms to a friend in UK although it probably doesn't need to be sent to UK.

They will email you when the 6 months is running out or just mark on your calendar for a reminder every 5 months, 3 weeks. International texts cost 30p I believe so 60p per year to keep an active UK number.

using your uk giffgaff sim, you can ring your own Thai number as a chargeable event

Ignore the well meaning suggestions re Giff Gaff. e Sim as suggested is definitely the way to go. Call.com will give you a virtual UK number very quickly and easily. Check out their App on PlayStore.

Edited July 29Jul 29 by jimn

18 minutes ago, jimn said:

Ignore the well meaning suggestions re Giff Gaff. e Sim as suggested is definitely the way to go. Call.com will give you a virtual UK number very quickly and easily. Check out their App on PlayStore.

I've only scanned the Call.Com website but does it cost £25 per year + credits on top for SMS/Calls etc???

I use GiffGaff (eSim) & have it active all of the time as a secondary line for Calls (no credit so on the account so they won't come through) or SMS from my Bank (free to recieve so they do come through), I know you're supposed to make at least 1 chargeble SMS/Call every 6 months but I've gone 12 months without doing anything & when I was next in the UK, just buy a Data plan, £8 for 5GB of Data more than lasts me the month.

I am using a Vodafone e sim whilst in the UK & Canada, which I purchased in Thailand.

Not sure if it’s possible to have a different package for use in Thailand???

15 hours ago, jimn said:

Ignore the well meaning suggestions re Giff Gaff. e Sim as suggested is definitely the way to go. Call.com will give you a virtual UK number very quickly and easily. Check out their App on PlayStore.

14 hours ago, SamSpade said:

I've only scanned the Call.Com website but does it cost £25 per year + credits on top for SMS/Calls etc???

I use GiffGaff (eSim) & have it active all of the time as a secondary line for Calls (no credit so on the account so they won't come through) or SMS from my Bank (free to recieve so they do come through), I know you're supposed to make at least 1 chargeble SMS/Call every 6 months but I've gone 12 months without doing anything & when I was next in the UK, just buy a Data plan, £8 for 5GB of Data more than lasts me the month.

Interesting you went 12 months without disconnection. I'll be honest it only cost me 60p per year for the sms and I added £10 credit when I set it up so I'm good for 6 years.

Yes you're right about the call.com prices

Monthly Subscription: £6.99 per month

3-Month Subscription: £9.99 total

Annual (12-Month) Subscription: £24.99 per year

Plus credit needed.

Gifgaf - 60p per year, zero monthly charge, quick setup and credit only needed when making the chargeable event. Like you said with the added advantage of topping up for data usage when returning to UK which I plan to do.

19 minutes ago, dontpanic said:

Interesting you went 12 months without disconnection. I'll be honest it only cost me 60p per year for the sms and I added £10 credit when I set it up so I'm good for 6 years.

Yes you're right about the call.com prices

Monthly Subscription: £6.99 per month

3-Month Subscription: £9.99 total

Annual (12-Month) Subscription: £24.99 per year

Plus credit needed.

Gifgaf - 60p per year, zero monthly charge, quick setup and credit only needed when making the chargeable event. Like you said with the added advantage of topping up for data usage when returning to UK which I plan to do.

Giffgaff works great, 60p a year, real number and i can use it if and when i go to UK for a trip