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.

  • SCDWS@alien.top
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    1 year ago

    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.

    • goodpeoplewin@alien.topOPB
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      1 year ago

      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
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        1 year 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.

    • goodpeoplewin@alien.topOPB
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      1 year ago

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