TaxAct MFA - Locked Out of Account Forever!

Thanks for doing that... So it proves that it my account, i'm still getting pushback from their team. I've ask for a call  from the supervisory team. I do remember that I have my 10 digit U.S. number active though, your method of all 0's is the workaround from account set up.... Thanks again -)

I've had a similar experience in trying to log in to my account - not a new computer, just several months since I last logged in. Without a US number to receive texts I am now locked out- which is incredibly frustrating. Fortunately I have copies of all my prior returns but now so do TaxAct which I find concerning - I wonder where it leaves them from a data protection perspective?

So, @Barcrest - have you managed to get in to your old account, or have you had to set up a new one?

Is the alternative to get a very cheap VOIP that receives texts, just to get in to the account and then cancel the VOIP as soon as I get in? (I have no other need of a US phone number).  I'm not familiar with how VOIP would work however - I have a UK Iphone a computer and that's it - what else would I need? - any recommendations or guidance please?
 

I've had a similar experience in trying to log in to my account - not a new computer, just several months since I last logged in. Without a US number to receive texts I am now locked out- which is incredibly frustrating. Fortunately I have copies of all my prior returns but now so do TaxAct which I find concerning - I wonder where it leaves them from a data protection perspective?

So, @Barcrest - have you managed to get in to your old account, or have you had to set up a new one?

Is the alternative to get a very cheap VOIP that receives texts, just to get in to the account and then cancel the VOIP as soon as I get in? (I have no other need of a US phone number).  I'm not familiar with how VOIP would work however - I have a UK Iphone a computer and that's it - what else would I need? - any recommendations or guidance please?
 

I've had to open up a new account. Much complexities in doing so, but my experiences and process has been:

So, I know for a fact that my Voip U.S. number will not receive verification codes, despite them being sent. Checking with my provider (MagicJack), they confirm that the service will NOT accept any text that is NOT from a 10 digit number, so this rules out anything other then U.S. and Canada. As a note, I have not found ANY text app service that will receive MFA short codes, UNLESS you pay for a subscription. Also, even Google Voice will not receive these codes IF you're outside the U.S. I'd suspect this is an ip issues, which maybe overcome with the addition of a proxy server, such as Surf Shark, that will tunnel via a U.S. location, thus appearing to be physically present Stateside. Putting that to one side, I need a 10 digit number... My ONLY option, was to ask a trusted friend in the U.S. if I could 'use' their number to receive OTP's. This was not a problem, so I went to set up, with a new username, but the same email address that I have for my now 'locked out' account. The OTP went without issue to the phone number, so meaning both email and phone number were verified. The GOOD point is that you CAN add Google Authenticator to your account! Simply download the app to your iphone/Android and scan the QR code that presents on your computer screen. This will then ACTIVATE the app, which you may use INSTEAD of any phone. The IMPORTANT thing to remember is that you MUST select the Google Authentication method in your preferences, otherwise my good friend Stateside will be troubled at all times when I want to log in. You won't always be prompted for authentication, unless you have a software update, or clear history files/cookies etc.

As for my existing account. Well I have been locked out for a week, (they WILL NOT override this)! The only option will be to put in my old U.S. address in the 'recover account' option and then follow credit file questions, such as what was the model of my car etc. If I can get passed this, I'll try and change the number to that of my friends, (if it will allow the same number on two seperate accounts) and repeat the Google Authentication process.

Worse case, the old account is dead and the 'special' $18 filing fee lost. I'll need to manually reenter all my data again into my 2022 return for the newly created account.


I did understand that TaxAct are rolling through clients, eventually everyone will be impacted by this issue. I'd certainly look at the autnetication option now, meaning that you're not at risk of lock out.

I'll update once I have been 'allowed' to access my return!

IS. As a note, I have not found ANY text app service that will receive MFA short codes, UNLESS you pay for a subscription.

I know that @Nan D. has previously recommended CallCentric https://www.callcentric.com/

As far as I  can see it can receive SMS messages - a $1per month subscription - which is an add-on to the $1 per month to receive basic calls - presumably this would work? - for $24 per year it may be worth it - just treating it as part of the cost of getting TaxAct?

Any thoughts?

I know that @Nan D. has previously recommended CallCentric https://www.callcentric.com/

As far as I  can see it can receive SMS messages - a $1per month subscription - which is an add-on to the $1 per month to receive basic calls - presumably this would work? - for $24 per year it may be worth it - just treating it as part of the cost of getting TaxAct?

Any thoughts?

SMS is not the same as verification codes.

From CallCentric:
Can I receive messages from Short Code Numbers?
While we support sending/receiving messages to Short Codes, unfortunately due to intangibles beyond our control we cannot guarantee the transit of these messages. For example, some third-party services will not allow "VoIP Numbers" to be used

I guess if it works, then this would be an option, although at cost. If you have someone in the U.S. whose number you may use temporarily, this would allow to set up as I mentioned.