Need US phone for text confirmation codes

I am struggling to overcome the hurdle of when "systems" (usually banks, but it can sometimes be my US insurance provider or even my US RING doorbell account) require a text code to authenticate my identity.  They require a US mobile (not an internet phone number like what Skype used to offer).  In the past, they were more flexible and would have an option to email the code but this is less so now.  Everyone seems to require that I receive a text code to a US phone attached to my account.  Any suggestions?

For chit chats with friends (UK to US), it's no problem to use iMessage, WhatsApp, etc.  But for the big business/organisations requiring me to receive a text code, that's where I am at a road block.

Hi.  That's so annoying, isn't it?

I use a VOIP service Callcentric.com.  In some ways it is similar to Google's phone service, but, with only one exception, I've been able to use it for codes sent by banks, etc.  They have a basic service, where you can forward the number they give you to any other number if you need to. They also offer a text service that is only working in the USA at present, but you can set it up to forward the message to your email account, get the code, and go from there.

It might be worth a try to see if it'd suit your needs. It's certainly cheap enough. I pay, I believe, a dollar a month for text access and ten cents per text. https://www.callcentric.com/products/

Good luck!

EDIT - Forgot to mention:  you can use CC on a desktop/laptop, on a smartphone, or hook it up to an adapter that hooks to the internet and use it with an old-fashioned telephone handset.

Hi, I use TalkaTone. It’s free and you can select a US phone number and receive or make texts but it is also excellent for phone calls….all free and very clear. I text and call with family as well as my US bank accounts. Uses data on a phone or WiFi on the phone or tablet. HIGHLY RECOMMEND


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Many thanks for your suggestions.  When I read reviews, it seems hit & miss as to whether US organisations will recognise these as "trusted" phone numbers (ie a "real" phone as opposed to an internet phone).  Because many of these larger institutions (banks, insurance, US apps in general, etc) require a primary phone number on file (the one they will send the text code to), I am looking to set up a long term US phone number that doesn't change & will be recognised as a "trusted" / "real" phone number.  My hiccup really is only receiving the codes for authenticating my identification.  I appreciate the tips and will definitely do some research.  As a last resort, I may just get a pay as you go sims when I'm in the US...set it up whilst I'm there & then just use it as/when needed in the UK for receiving these pesky texts.

A few options:

1) Tello.. its $5/mo for 100 min + unlimited texts, sim or eSim, supports wifi-calling. Can be activated outside US (apparently). Sim swapping protected by 4-digit pin code.
2) Ultra mobile... its $3/mo for 100 min + 100 texts, supports wifi calling. Get sim from ebay. Likely requires activation in USA. Sim swapping protected by transfer lock feature on website.
3) Numberbarn... its $3/mo ($2 for parking + $1 for texts) - this one is fully online unless you pay more for call/text forwarding. You log onto the website to read texts. You might need to port in an existing mobile number to make it work for 2FA as a random new number might be classified as a landline rather than a mobile number and banks might not send codes to it. Sim swapping protected by transfer lock feature on website.

I'm still in USA so havent tested these. I plan to take an Ultra mobile sim on my next UK trip.

HI OP.

I hope you have your phone thing sorted out, but was doing some browsing today for another purpose and ran across this. Thought it might be helpful to you.

Good luck!


https://thedroidguy.com/the-best-u-s-phone-plans-for-living-abroad-while-still-receiving-banking-verification-texts-1269112

https://thedroidguy.com/the-best-u-s-phone-plans-for-living-abroad-while-still-receiving-banking-verification-texts-1269112 [nofollow]

I have Google Fi. Its great for trips to the UK with the The Unlimited Premium plan but wont work long term unless you are a US Government employee.
See https://support.google.com/fi/answer/10448622 [nofollow]