Permanent U.S. Phone Number for Two Factor Authentication

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Peeew

If it is strictly needed for two factor authentication I changed to email for this. If I can get a text I can get my email. And since these authentications expire quickly I think it is low risk.

Not all institions support 2FA via email.

[R.Boyd]

See if email for the two factor authorization is possible at your bank. That would give you access through any data plan.

[ovidiunelu]

Have you try google voice? https://voice.google.com
You will need somebody with a internet connection in order to se it up but after you will be able to access it form anywhere in the world via internet.

[TabbyCat]

Originally Posted by weavis

Similar to you, I deal internationally. I have a "head office number" on SKYPE. I have a message thats informs to leave a call back number and states that the caller will be called back from the 'local' office to the international caller. I also have the SKYPE forwarded at times to the sim card I am currently using. ..

I alos have s SKYPE in number, but they recenlty deleted my cusomtized voicemail greeting. Just a female Bristish voice comes on and says "leave a message". Are you still able to cusotomize an outgoing greeting on Skype? I've contacted them and they are non-responsive.

[john61ct]

Update: just set up Square.com's "Cash App" on a new bank account.

They use your phone number as a login ID, must be activated with a code delivered via SMS to that number within 5min.

Neither of my usual GoogleVoice #s worked.

Google Fi does not work. Contacted CS they confirmed, said it comes up as a VoIP number.

TextNow worked fine

______
To all, please read the thread before posting.

wrt the OP's stated needs:

an actual U.S. mobile/cell phone subscription is not desired, unless maybe very low cost for one year subscription, nor requiring ever being physically there

Skype does not work
gVoice probably won't work

using a different 2FA authentication like email is not always possible

turning off 2FA is not always an option

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Update: just set up Square.com's "Cash App" on a new bank account.

They use your phone number as a login ID, must be activated with a code delivered via SMS to that number within 5min.

Neither of my usual GoogleVoice #s worked.

Google Fi does not work. Contacted CS they confirmed, said it comes up as a VoIP number.

TextNow worked fine

______
To all, please read the thread before posting.

wrt the OP's stated needs:

an actual U.S. mobile/cell phone subscription is not desired, unless maybe very low cost for one year subscription, nor requiring ever being physically there

Skype does not work
gVoice probably won't work

using a different 2FA authentication like email is not always possible

turning off 2FA is not always an option

TextNow sure looks like a good option. Have you used it much?

[john61ct]

Yes many years, starting soon after its founding, the owner used to help me out with many telephony issues on HoFo

Currently running 30+ lines most of them free.

Everyone in my family has SIM plans some in addition to others, those may change but always reachable on their permanent TN#.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by ChrisAndLenore

I use Vyke to provide over a dozen permanent phone numbers (with SMS capability) that I use for my business. Numbers only cost a couple dollars a month and hours of use is only a few dollars per month. I have used it throughout the Caribean, USA, and Canada.
Works perfectly for my two-factor logins.
The VoIP client performs flawlessly on my iPhone, android and there is also a laptop clinet for it. Dirt cheap and reliable.

Cancelled my Skype number immediately

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Yes many years, starting soon after its founding, the owner used to help me out with many telephony issues on HoFo

Currently running 30+ lines most of them free.

Everyone in my family has SIM plans some in addition to others, those may change but always reachable on their permanent TN#.

Cool. I just activated a TextNow account just for 2FA. Seems like a good option.

[john61ct]

Watch out if you don't use the free version regularly, they recycle the number, then you get a new one assigned.

Pay the $3/mo for premium if you come to depend on it so you don't need to worry.

And for outbound outside NA need to put in some prepay, don't expire and rates likely reasonable.

The same account can be used from a PC, tablets, multiple phones concurrently. But for voice you need a good WiFi (any decent internet) connection for clarity.

Next batch of DIDs I need will likely test Vyke

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Watch out if you don't use the free version regularly, they recycle the number, then you get a new one assigned.

Pay the $3/mo for premium if you come to depend on it so you don't need to worry.

And for outbound outside NA need to put in some prepay, don't expire and rates likely reasonable.

The same account can be used from a PC, tablets, multiple phones concurrently. But for voice you need a good WiFi (any decent internet) connection for clarity.

Next batch of DIDs I need will likely test Vyke

Ah, yes I will need the number to stay the same as 2FA systems I use will only use the number registered to the account.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Cool. I just activated a TextNow account just for 2FA. Seems like a good option.

I will also do this in the near future. Thanks to John for the hot tip

[john61ct]

Perfect for kids comms too, even very young ones, low cost, no data plan to suck dry 8-)

I believe I've ported both ways in and out.

TS used to have a phone number, now I think you just use the chat icon from the plan page.

The login username can't be changed, but the password, associated email & phone # can no problem.

For the $3/mo I just set the app store to autopay, but they do also send SMS reminders.

[chrisboat]

I just had a text chat with textnow and they said that they could not receive a text from a US bank to me internationally. now even more confused.

[john61ct]

Maybe they thought you were asking about their wireless service plans, IOW as a cellphone service provider where you buy one of their phones or they send you a SIM if yours is compatible.

Which would not work if you took that SIM overseas.

Which as stated above is not the type of service being recommended.

If you just install their software on your **currently working** iPhone or Android or Mac book or Windows PC or any tablet

then choose a number for the state you want

anyone can send a plain old SMS message to that number, from anywhere in the world, and your TextNow will receive it, anywhere in the world. Same with VoIP voice service.

There is no indication to anyone communicating with you, whether voice or SMS, that you are anywhere but in the location indicated by your choice of number.

A tech at TextNow could trace your IP maybe, but the service itself does not differentiate, it is just a passive gateway between their native-SMS switch and their app using IP packets just like any other app.