Moving to Australia but keeping NZ number for 2FA

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timmmay

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#3015133 29-Dec-2022 16:33

You could move banks to one who uses more secure online systems. One of the banks I use sent me out a hardware MFA token generator with a small keyboard - pain in the ass to use but probably fairly secure.

Handle9

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#3015144 29-Dec-2022 17:22

timmmay:
You could move banks to one who uses more secure online systems. One of the banks I use sent me out a hardware MFA token generator with a small keyboard - pain in the ass to use but probably fairly secure.

It’s not easy dealing with a new bank from overseas. The AML crap makes it almost impossible.

Wombat1

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#3015194 29-Dec-2022 22:46

Handle9:

International numbers can be very hit and miss receiving these types of sms. They get blocked a fair bit as they are assumed to be spam I guess.

I have my NZ ANZ account setup with my Aussie number, works well and never missed a text.

Handle9

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#3015195 29-Dec-2022 22:53

Wombat1:
Handle9:

International numbers can be very hit and miss receiving these types of sms. They get blocked a fair bit as they are assumed to be spam I guess.

I have my NZ ANZ account setup with my Aussie number, works well and never missed a text.

If you try that in the UAE you are in for a world of pain.

Wombat1

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#3015203 29-Dec-2022 23:33

Handle9:

If you try that in the UAE you are in for a world of pain.

The OP asked about specifically about Aus though.

freitasm

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#3015207 30-Dec-2022 00:10

Handle9:
Linux: @handle9 Cause if someone calls your mobile number then you pay for the incoming call if all services go over WiFi calling then no roaming costs!

OP was asking about SMS.

SMS requires the cell service to be active and it will be enabled for bot voice and SMS. Nothing prevents a voice call coming in and triggering the roami g charge, even if it goes to voicemail.

freitasm

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#3015208 30-Dec-2022 00:14

Handle9: My wife and I have kept our NZ numbers for the last 4 1/2 years of living overseas. We ported them to skinny which requires I top up once a year to keep them active. $10 a year is cheap to keep them alive.

SMS is charged at nz rates. Only calls and data attract roaming charges.

Whatever you do OP, do no port your number.

It can take a few weeks - sometimes even a couple of months - before machine-generated SMS works on ported numbers due to table updates.

Best way is to keep using 2degrees and use a VoWiFi-compatible handset.

Also remember to top-up the phone every few months to keep the number. Set a repeat request minder for this.

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Handle9

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#3015210 30-Dec-2022 00:49

freitasm:
Handle9:

OP was asking about SMS.

SMS requires the cell service to be active and it will be enabled for bot voice and SMS. Nothing prevents a voice call coming in and triggering the roami g charge, even if it goes to voicemail.

As I said above if you have minimal credit it doesn’t matter. Prepaid doesn’t accumulate additional charges once the credit runs out and in the case of skinny you don’t require credit to keep the number active, just a minimal topup annually. Even better you can disable voicemail.

Basil12

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#3015615 31-Dec-2022 20:38

Handle9: My wife and I have kept our NZ numbers for the last 4 1/2 years of living overseas. We ported them to skinny which requires I top up once a year to keep them active. $10 a year is cheap to keep them alive.

SMS is charged at nz rates. Only calls and data attract roaming charges.

You can keep a Skinny number without having to do the $10 top up each year - Skinny has a transfer funds feature so you can transfer $1 from your account to your wife's, and then vice versa. You're both then good for another year.

krisnz

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#3054237 24-Mar-2023 19:29

Just composing an update to from the original post.

I'm now 6 weeks into being in Australia

I've retained my number on 2Degrees on a SIM in an iPhone SE, Mobile data is turned off and wifi is turned on so it's using WIFI calling when text messages are delivered.

I'm just keeping a balance on the phone as some text messages are considered premium txts and cost 0.20 to receive (ie Facebook 2FA and my Fibre internet provider 2FA)

I have an iPhone 12 with my Telstra Sim inside it and works as expected.

My Apple iMessage setup now has my NZ and AU numbers inside it and txt messages to my NZ number get mirrored to all my apple devices no problem.

Thanks for all your help.

Kris

Wombat1

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#3054296 24-Mar-2023 20:52

krisnz:

My Apple iMessage setup now has my NZ and AU numbers inside it and txt messages to my NZ number get mirrored to all my apple devices no problem.

Thanks for all your help.

Kris

I found my biggest pain was switching my apple ID from NZ to Aus otherwise I could not get the Aus iphone apps.

No other real issues.

Hope you enjoying Aus? I have been here over a year now and loving it... The weather in Brisbane has been fantastic.

lchiu7

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#3054429 25-Mar-2023 13:42

nztim:

michaelmurfy:

Most other companies who require SMS based TFA do support international numbers but if there is an app based option for 2FA I'd recommend this always over SMS. Only use SMS if there are absolutely no other options.

There shouldn't be no other option, banks are really behind the 8 ball here

Banks have to deal with a diverse demographic, some of whom might not be that au fait with smartphone apps.

But annoyingly when I go to our company's Microsoft Developer portal in Azure, it also requires MFA but it calls rather than use SMS. I just use my US number for that which is installed on my phone.

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