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A US virtual number just doesn't cut it (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by goodpeoplewin@alien.top to c/digitalnomad@expats.zone

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Okay so I run a few businesses and travel, and my US LLC gets paid in USD.

US PayPal account, and US bank account. Sweet.

BUT I'm not from the US. So I always get blocked by banks and paypal, asking to SMS verify my US phone number

How do you guys solve this problem?

I've tried virtual numbers / Skype but often the stupid site will not accept it saying "sorry that number is not acceptable".

I got a real US SIM, but somehow the US carriers cancel it after I've been nomading outside of the US, even though I'm still paying for it. It lasted for a while but now I'm stuck again.

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[–] SCDWS@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (5 children)

US Mobile or Tello are your solution if all you need is 2FA SMS codes. Both are eSIMs that are real phone numbers (no VoIP) and only $5 a month with unlimited incoming texts. Tello only works on WiFi/data while outside the US, but US Mobile includes roaming AFAIK.

[–] JackieFinance@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

+1 for US mobile. Been doing this for almost a year, and, so far, works like a charm.

[–] goodpeoplewin@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That sounds awesome. I had a hardware Verizon / T-Mobile SIM and it got cancelled on me when travelling. I think on another visit to the US I got a "US Mobile" e-SIM, but I don't think it works overseas.

It seems like there's just no good solution that works a) forever and b) verifying every service.

[–] AppropriateRecipe342@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

US Mobile definitely works. I think you might be confused because US Mobile doesn't automatically enable global data by default. They enable data on a country by country basis, so unless you went in the app and picked a data plan for the country you're in you won't get data [while you're not on wifi]. However, this has nothing to do with your SMS messages not coming through. They will come through as long as the SIM card is turned on in your phone's settings.

PS - don't buy data from US Mobile it's much cheaper to get a local SIM card wherever you are.

[–] smackson@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Holy shit you mean I can ditch this US$40/mo. Fi bullshit???

🙏🙏

[–] goodpeoplewin@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Just tried Tello, sounds perfect, but the eSIM just won't activate, since I'm not in the US today :[

[–] redcremesoda@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

This is the answer.