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So Paypal's terrible.
Shadowen
Snores in the morningLoserdomRegistered User regular
Snores in the morningLoserdomRegistered User regular
Obviously, right? In this specific case, they are no longer allowing me to just skip the "add your mobile phone number to your account for extra security" thing. I have to add it.
I am not naïve. I know that regardless of how recalcitrant I am about adding it to various online accounts, if data companies want my mobile phone number, they have it.
The problem is that I do not have a mobile phone number.
I have a mobile phone, but it's a piece of shit hand-me-down from 2014 I use entirely as an MP3 player, and I don't have cell service with it. Checked online, and with their support Twitter account, and was directed to call in to the actual customer support line. I called in...and was told I need a mobile phone number. No other option. I eventually got an explanation that it is definitely a new security feature they've started forcing since June. It's super secure! I can't get my money.
I have to either buy a cheap-ass pay-as-you-go phone or the cheapest cell service I can find, neither of which I want or need (though, to be clear, another reason I have a garbage phone with no cell service is I am also poor), all in order to give the number to a third party for "security", who will then despite what their terms of service say almost certainly turn around and sell it to fourth, fifth, and Nth parties (and spreading my number around I am certain will do wonders for my account's security), or they're just going to hold my money hostage, forever.
Anyway. Anyone know any other possible options? Preferably free or super-inexpensive ones, and ones that don't require me to be able to get into my account just one more time, because that is very much not an option right now?
I am not naïve. I know that regardless of how recalcitrant I am about adding it to various online accounts, if data companies want my mobile phone number, they have it.
The problem is that I do not have a mobile phone number.
I have a mobile phone, but it's a piece of shit hand-me-down from 2014 I use entirely as an MP3 player, and I don't have cell service with it. Checked online, and with their support Twitter account, and was directed to call in to the actual customer support line. I called in...and was told I need a mobile phone number. No other option. I eventually got an explanation that it is definitely a new security feature they've started forcing since June. It's super secure! I can't get my money.
I have to either buy a cheap-ass pay-as-you-go phone or the cheapest cell service I can find, neither of which I want or need (though, to be clear, another reason I have a garbage phone with no cell service is I am also poor), all in order to give the number to a third party for "security", who will then despite what their terms of service say almost certainly turn around and sell it to fourth, fifth, and Nth parties (and spreading my number around I am certain will do wonders for my account's security), or they're just going to hold my money hostage, forever.
Anyway. Anyone know any other possible options? Preferably free or super-inexpensive ones, and ones that don't require me to be able to get into my account just one more time, because that is very much not an option right now?
Shadowen on
+2
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Otherwise it's free and doesn't require a physical phone.
If they just needs it for the few minutes it will take to transfer all the money out of PayGarbage then maybe that's sufficient.
Don't do this if you plan on keeping the account
https://www.virtualphone.com/uk-phone-number
Same number ringing multiple devices. My phone's in the other room charging but a call will ring on the PC.
No, the reason they want a mobile number is basically 2-factor authentication. They'll text a code to that phone number that must be used to verify that it's you when signing in or withdrawing money or whatever.
It has to be a valid number capable of receiving texts. That said, I believe the number of any trusted friend/family/acquaintance that is willing to help could be provided as long as they are nearby or in contact when OP is signing in and using Paypal to get that money, so that they can relay the code that's texted to them.