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Is there a well-supported secondary SMS phone number service? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by hackysphere@lemmy.ca to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

4 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I live in Canada, and I am figuring out a way to get a "registered" phone number from a cell company just for SMS verification texts. However, I am wanting to find out if there is a service that would do the same thing (and potentially cheaper: the lowest plan I found from a carrier is CAD$15/mo). I would be using it just for SMS verification texts (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).

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[–] christopher@programming.dev 1 points 1 week ago

Callcentric has Canada numbers. For their Pay Per Minute plan, there is a US$3.95 setup fee. Monthly charge of $3 for the number, plus $0.015 per minute incoming voice (outgoing charge varies by location called) and $0.01 per SMS. Probably an additional charge for 911 emergency number access if you tell them you are going to use the number from inside the USA or Canada.

You can read your text messages on their website and/or have them sent to your email address.

I got a California number from them when I was living there in 2009 or so, and added the SMS more recently (which added $1 to my previous monthly charge of $2). It has never failed me for SMS verification for banks, etc. I have not tried WhatsApp or Telegram.

[–] darksiderbun@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 week ago

Fongo World seems to be a weird but working option for me.

[–] sporks_a_plenty@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If it matters, I believe "voip.ms" is Canada based. I'm using them for a phone number with sms, kind of like what you said you're looking for.

IIRC, I'm paying ~$12 USD per year (+ $1 USD per month for a phone voip app, but there are free app options too).

YSK, their site/service setting aren't always the easiest to figure out so read their docs carefully.

Best of luck!

[–] wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 week ago

Unfortunately some verification providers don't allow VoIP SMS numbers, I'd say it's always about 50/50 whether it'll work or not very frustrating. But otherwise yeah, VoIP.ms is great! And indeed Montreal based!