Getting verification codes SMS text from a US bank

The problem: So, we have Capital One Bank Credit Cards here in Ecuador, and I cannot log into my Capital One APP on my Ecuadorian cell phone because the bank wants to send me a secondary verification code via an SMS text, which I am not able to receive in Ecuador. The issue is that the bank will not send an SMS text

message to my Ecuadorian cell, only to a US cell which has been registered with them. (Now, we do have a US voip virtual phone registered with the bank, but that voip virtual system does not receive any text, only voice calls.)

Besides, the bank also said their system is not permitted send any security information over a virtual voip phone anyway, plus refuses to make any voice calls to my registered virtual number to give me the verification code to enter the bank app. They need a real cell phone number registered with a US carrier. I even tried giving them my brother’s real cell phone, living in the US, so they can text him the codes, and then he could text them to me, but the bank said no deal because that number is not the registered phone number in my CC account. The Bank is relentless and is not willing to listen to reason and give me a solution.

Does anyone have any ideas how I possibly can resolve this problem?

All I need is simply a way to somehow receive the verification code SMS text from this bank here in Ecuador so I can to log into the bank app.
I even went online to research this, but all the solutions there were only for people already having a US cell phone, and travelling or living overseas. I do not have a US cell phone number in Ecuador.

Thanks in advance!

Attila Gyuris: gyuris@yahoo.com

City: Quito

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Chris Hervan

Ditch banks that won't work with you internationally. Simple as this. Until banks can offer other means of account confirmation (like email) then we simply need to leave them. Free market (supposedly). So find a bank that allows it and sign up. 0 0

Attila Gyuris Post Author

That is not an option for me... I am kinda married to my Capital One Credit Cards. I don't bank with them though. However, after several people recommended it here, I signed up for a Tello number . It worked fine for me for texts. So problem solved. 0 0

Manya Arond-thomas

I have the Capitol One app on my Ecuador phone, and it gives me the option (in addition to a text which I also can't receive) to verify by tapping my credit card on the screen (it shows you how to position it). Have you checked to see if you... Read more 0 0

Attila Gyuris Post Author

Yes I also have the Capital One app on my EC cell phone and I just checked and I don't have that option. 0 0

Cshurst111

Tello is by far the best. $6.60 a month for 1GB data, 100 minutes voice, and unlimited text worldwide. Works as a regular cell phone in the states. If you have eSim capability on your phone, (most newer models do), you can activate from here and not have to bother... Read more 0 0

Cshurst111

Best yet - Tello with 1GB data, 100 minutes voice and unlimited text for 6.60 a month. Will also work as a regular cell phone in the states. If you have a phone with e-sim capability you don't even need a SIM card and can activate from here. Works beautifully... Read more 0 0

Attila Gyuris Post Author

Thanks...Perfect! I did exactly that. Got me a new TELLO number via an eSIM chip, installed it in my EC cellphone, and then changed it on my CC profile, then I made a test login..it worked! They texted me with the code and I received iot no problem! Problem solved. 0 0

Rad Pal

Google Voice 0 0

Attila Gyuris Post Author

While Google Voice can receive text messages, many banks and financial institutions won't send security codes to Google Voice virtual numbers due to security concerns, as they are classified as VoIP number. My bank, Capital One, is one of them. 0 0

Rad Pal

I've been here ten years and use it all the time for BofA, Schwab and others. 🤔 0 0

Mark Smith

From what I've read you can have Google Voice texts forwarded to an email address. 0 0

Philip Hall

I got US t-mobile sim card. Expensive but works. Muted the chip to cuenca 0 0

Nathan mentioned that this question has been asked before, but that doesn’t negate its importance. As a newcomer to Ecuador, I’ve never encountered such a post before. 0 0

Ryan James

As Nathan said, this has been asked and answered more than a dozen times. However, that does not help you in this situation. I started having the same problem when we lived in Hungary. I came across iPlum for my Android phone. It is on an annual plan, so I... Read more 0 0

Nathan Wolnowski

This new comments function allows links now. Here's the answer from the iPlum website (please include citations). https://www.iplum.com/faq/can-i-activate-social-media-receive-bank-codes You're confirming iPlum works with Capital One for the 2FA auth codes texting and like the site says it doesn't require the number be imbedded on a SIM? And what does your... 0 0

Nathan Wolnowski

This has been asked and answered many times. Financial institutions use an "SMS Short Code" notification system that for security purposes will only send to a phone number that is embedded in a SIM. It's the second factor of 2 factor authentication, what you physically have in your possession that... Read more 0 0

😔 0 0

High_expat

I use an app called, Text Free. It isn’t exactly “free” but I do get unlimited calls and texts to and from the US. I use Charles Schwab for banking and any time I need a verification code it receives them just fine. I <em>think</em> it’s $10/month but I recently... Read more 0 0

Attila Gyuris Post Author

Thanks... the problem is that TextFree uses a voip number, and Capital One will not send security codes to such a number, for security reasons, they say, because TextFree numbers are classified as VoIP numbers, and many banks require a genuine wireless number for verification SMS. 0 0

Nancy Sharif

Hello, I had the same problem with Charles Schwab Bank and I called them and they set up a VIP access app for me. I set it up on the App store and now I use that when I want to go online and access my CS account. Hope this... Read more 0 0

Attila Gyuris Post Author

Hi Nancy, good for you ... I pleaded with Capital One to give me another access option, like you got with Schwab, but no cigar... they only TEXT to real cell phone numbers (not voip numbers) and only to US cell numbers, and they cannot to send me an email... 0 0

Escapeartist

Attila: try porting your US cell to Tello and turning on WiFi calling. Works for us here in Ecuador with Cap One. Here’s a referral link that will give you $10 credit for Tello. Sign up for NO data and 300 minutes ($7.79/month including taxes). No need for data as... Read more 0 0

Attila Gyuris Post Author

My US number is a voip number via OOMA as a landline here (does not receive SMS). I have all the ooma office equipment set up, so I don't want to have to throw it all away by porting it to another carrier.. I was informed that Tello also has... 0 0

Escapeartist

Yes. You can just apply for another number and use your eSIM for Tello service. To repeat, you do not need ANY data in Ecuador if you choose a Tello plan because no Ecuadorian cell towers work with Tello. In Ecuador Tello works exclusively via WiFi calling (which also includes... 0 0

Attila Gyuris Post Author

Did that... It worked perfectly! THANKS! :-) 0 0

Escapeartist

You are very welcome Attila. Glad you got through all the flack and figured this one out. Has worked great for us ever since coming here years ago. Surprised that people are still relying on much more expensive ways to do the same. 0 0

Attila Gyuris Post Author

Ok thanks, yes I will need to get another number just because of the SMS texting only. I have a iPhone 15Pro and the Movistar eSIM with a data plan here in Ecuador. This phone is dual eSIM capable. So the Tello eSim it is perfectly doable. Question, I understand... 0 0

Escapeartist

You do not need to get data on your plan until you travel back to the US. Tello plans are renewed each month, so we simply renew with data for months that we plan on traveling to the US. That saves us from paying for data we’d never use when... 0 0

Steve Hinote

Hi, sorry to beat this poor horse again but I'm trying to figure out the whole Tello thing (so as to receive bank verification codes). I have an iPhone with eSim, signed up for Tello, got the number, activated it, turned on Wi-Fi calling... and nothing. My bank sends some... 0 0

Escapeartist

Make sure your iPhone settings at Messages is set to your Tello number. It’s hidden under Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive. 0 0

Steve Hinote

thanks. it was in there but maybe not formatted correctly. Not sure if that was the problem because based on their input about activation I cancelled the service. But thanks for the tip, when I do get it going again I'll check there right off. 0 0

Escapeartist

Tello did change their stance about overseas activation but I've heard from several people that they were able to activate using a VPN set to the US. 0 0

Steve Hinote

I suspected that as an issue and made sure Surfshark on my phone was set to the US. Maybe I can get it set up when I visit the US in a few weeks. 0 0

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