Kogan Porting Now Requires SMS Confirmation

Lseele0717 on 24/08/2019 - 16:28
Last edited 26/08/2019 - 12:55

Just to give a heads-up to every one who wants port number to Kogan Mobile.

Kogan Mobile now requires you to SMS a confirmation code from the number you are porting to one of their system mobile number as a confirmation of your intention.

A bit annoying but not a big deal to most people.

However if the number you are porting does not have enough credit to send that message, you will be in trouble.

The easiest solution (and so far the only solution) would be you recharge some credit to the number you are porting. (Then why would you bother porting out of that service?)

I run into this problem on yesterday and am waiting for Kogan to come up with a solution without me pay the current service provider more money.

Update

Turns out Kogan porting team can override it.

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Comments

  • askbargain on 24/08/2019 - 16:45
    +3

    Send SMS with spoofed sender ID.

    • Thrawn on 24/08/2019 - 17:00

      but you don't know what code is sent

      • askbargain on 24/08/2019 - 17:01
        +3

        However if the number you are porting does not have enough credit to send that message

        The problem isn't that you can't receive the message, it is you not having enough credit to send the message back.

        • Associatedmehow @ Kogan Mobile on 14/10/2019 - 10:56

          Any updates to this? How do you send the verification code if you dont have credit?

          • seele0717 on 29/10/2019 - 22:30
            +1

            @mehow: You give Kogan support team a call and ask them to pass the verification code to their porting team.

  • outlander on 24/08/2019 - 17:04

    Thanks for the heads up. Does it have to be an SMS? I know outgoing calls to network numbers are usually free.

    • seele0717 on 24/08/2019 - 19:23

      The code must be sent from the number you are porting via SMS.
      The receiving end is just an ordinary mobile number. Don't think it is service number.
      Furthermore even if it is a service number, it will be a Kogan/Vofafail service number. That means if you are with Optus or Telstra network you will not be able to utilise the free network service.

  • jimbobaus on 24/08/2019 - 17:39
    +11

    It’s a new Vodafone security feature.
    (FYI all carriers have to implement this by jan 1)
    Also if you get one digit wrong when sending the code your entire port is cancelled and you need to request a new one

    Learned this the hard way.

    • Neoika on 24/08/2019 - 18:13
      +1

      Thanks for this info. This means the cost of maintaining spare numbers is going up.

  • vikvance on 24/08/2019 - 18:36
    +5

    It is also required for Catch Connect.

    It's a really good security feature. It would be an absolute disaster, if an identity thief were to port your number over to his name.

    • Neoika on 24/08/2019 - 18:41
      +3

      But they should make it free to respond or allow code to be filled through webpage.

      • whooah1979 on 24/08/2019 - 19:09
        -1

        allow code to be filled through webpage.

        This would make the porting procedure less secure.

        • Quantumcat on 24/08/2019 - 23:39

          No it wouldn't, you still have to have the phone sim in your possession to be able to receive the code.

          • whooah1979 on 25/08/2019 - 00:36

            @Quantumcat: Many smartphones are set-up to auto lock after x min. Replying to sms may require the user to unlock which they can't do.

            • Quantumcat on 25/08/2019 - 07:47

              @whooah1979: If they can receive an sms they have no need to port your number away (they can get verification codes for websites). Also if they are only looking at the lock screen it is going to be hard to see what the Web address is that they need to submit the code in. I don't know about other phones, but on my 6S, once the notification is gone from the lock screen I can't bring it back until I unlock the phone.

              Plus, being able to unlock the phone is totally irrelevant anyway. It is the sim that's important - they can just put it in another phone that they CAN unlock.

              • whooah1979 on 25/08/2019 - 08:44

                @Quantumcat:

                they can get verification codes for websites)

                Which is something they can’t do with Kogan (according to op).

                they can just put it in another phone that they CAN unlock.

                I don’t know about your service provider, but ours only sends sms once. Sms notifications appear on the locked screen once. Taking the sim out and using it in a different handset won’t get the original sms back.

                • Quantumcat on 25/08/2019 - 10:12

                  @whooah1979: Just start the port again and look more closely the next time? Except that won't happen - if they have physical control of the sim they can just get whatever verification code they are after with no need to port.

              • whooah1979 on 25/08/2019 - 08:50

                @Quantumcat:

                they can just put it in another phone that they CAN unlock.

                A PIN should prevent this.

                • Quantumcat on 25/08/2019 - 10:14

                  @whooah1979: It doesn't matter anyway because if they have the phone of the person they want to be able to receive verification codes for they can just receive the verification codes with no need to port. If they can't see the sms then having to reply adds nothing above just receiving the sms.

      • seele0717 on 24/08/2019 - 19:25
        +2

        Think filling form online defeats the whole purpose.

        But if all networks are to adopt this security measure, they should allow people to send the code for free.

        • whooah1979 on 24/08/2019 - 19:35

          Service providers supply services to make money. They’ll lose money if they start giving free sms.

        • Neoika on 24/08/2019 - 19:45
          +2

          Besides the code, the message should also include a link thats can be opened in the browser to confirm the porting or a page to fill the code.

          • apokalypsez on 22/09/2019 - 11:49

            @Neoika: agreed, port from telstra to Voda yesterday and telstra prepaid expired so i need to call voda to complete activation.

        • peterpeterpumpkin on 24/08/2019 - 20:34

          Yes. There should be a universal phone number like 000 that is always free to SMS.

          If no one complains they'll say you need to upload a gigabyte super HD video of your face making a declaration in the future.

    • tranter on 24/09/2019 - 21:37

      Do you know if Catch Connect can override the requirement?

      I'll be porting to them in the next couple of days but I have no credit with my current provider (Kogan).

      • scanuck on 06/04/2020 - 16:25

        Did you do this successfully?

  • realfancyman on 24/08/2019 - 19:19

    So it's not that the gaining provider texts the number you're attempting to port with a verification code? They give you a number and you have to send a text to it with the code they give you?

    • seele0717 on 24/08/2019 - 19:26

      No. And yes.

      • realfancyman on 24/08/2019 - 19:37

        That's odd. Any idea what the benefit of doing it this way is?

        • seele0717 on 24/08/2019 - 19:57
          +1

          My guess is that it is to prevent any impersonator/hacker who somehow got hold of your ID and wants seize your mobile number.

          Now, in order for them to take control of your number, they also need to have physical control of your phone. Whereas if they have your phone, they wouldn't have the need to transfer you number.

          In the end the service provider stand less chance being sued by their customer.

          To most people this measure appears to be pointless, as no one would interested in getting the control of their number.

          But if some number is so important that someone is willing to fraud the service provide, the this new security will cause the bad guys to up their game and do physical harm to the number's owner (i.e. more harm to the owner, less harm to the service providers). Or just use those fake signal transmitter/tower and to hijack the code and then send the code with a spoofed sender ID.

          • realfancyman on 24/08/2019 - 20:10
            +2

            @seele0717: What I'm trying to work out is why not just send a code to the old number to be provided by an online form? This would be more secure as far as I can see because it isn't susceptible to a spoofed sender ID

            • seele0717 on 24/08/2019 - 20:16
              +1

              @realfancyman: Think the idea is to make sure person try to port a number is the person who has effective control of that number. They probably never give a deep thought of many possible circumstance and presumed when porting a number people always have active service and credit.

  • kehuehue on 25/08/2019 - 07:05

    Well then… that makes sim hopping even more annoying (switching between 1 and 3 month plans)

    • HeWhoKnows on 25/08/2019 - 08:00
      -8

      Sim hopping is a Dumb idea anyway

      • nith265 on 26/08/2019 - 14:18

        For 2 of my kids I've been switching between Catch and Kogan for just under 12 months now

        $60 for 20GB a month for 12 months ≠ dumb!

        Quickest port was Catch -> Kogan in 12 minutes last Friday.
        Slowest was Kogan -> Catch initiated on a Friday midday but didnt complete till the Monday afternoon.

        I had a terrible experience 10 years ago porting out of TPG, lost my number for days. Everything has been fairly automated and easy for me so far.

  • HeWhoKnows on 25/08/2019 - 07:59
    +3

    This is NOT a problem
    Its actually a VERY GOOD idea.

    Stops you being scammed with illegitimate change of telco and porting of your number.
    I hope all telcos move over to this excellent security check.

    • nith265 on 26/08/2019 - 14:19
      +1

      agree - I was distressed how little non top secret info they wanted to approve the port in the past

  • dingdong3000 on 25/08/2019 - 10:47
    +1

    I guess the best solution is to port on the day or two before plan expires. Most provider plans have unlimited txt anyway.

    • apokalypsez on 22/09/2019 - 11:58

      seems thats the way to go…

  • snappy1234 on 25/08/2019 - 12:46
    +2

    Already spoke to Vodafone about this
    (They are aware of this issue re: no credit)
    Called them a few weeks back about a Telstra to Vodafone port with no credit)

    Guy ID me on phone and put thru almost instantly (had already filled info online)

    One slight positive with Voda you get a temporary number to kick off straight away, usable within a couple of mins…

    • hashtagbargain on 26/08/2019 - 01:49
      +2

      Good to know there is a way to override this sms verification method.

    • bamzero on 26/08/2019 - 21:05

      Did you port to Vodafone themselves or Kogan and spoke to Vodafone?

    • apokalypsez on 22/09/2019 - 11:53

      One slight positive with Voda you get a temporary number to kick off straight away, usable within a couple of mins…

      thats one of the best thing about Voda…

  • satis on 31/08/2019 - 22:05

    I usually switch plans every couple of months and found myself with an expired plan trying to port into Kogan.
    No credit to sms confirm and no network to call.

    I had to use someone else's phone to call Kogan and provide details and got service within a few hours.
    It definitely is an inconvenience and although this IS a good security measure, I hope they find a better method of confirmation.

  • apokalypsez on 22/09/2019 - 11:46

    "However if the number you are porting does not have enough credit to send that message, you will be in trouble."

    vodafone expired and no credit…what now? what i need to do port over to Kogan?

  • apokalypsez on 22/09/2019 - 11:56

    From Telstra to Voda without any credit left, i called 1300130741 which the number provided from the text message…

    got no clue about Kogan-Belong…trasfer other sim to Kogan from Voda this week, next month to Belong…

    • bamzero on 30/10/2019 - 10:23

      Did you do your transfer to Belong yet? Curious if they are using the SMS method too.

      • Neoika on 30/10/2019 - 21:31
        +1

        Belong is Telstra network so I think you can verify the code easily on a webpage via internet connection.

        I know Telstra and Woolworhs do it this way.

  • Associatedmehow @ Kogan Mobile on 14/10/2019 - 10:54

    I got caught out with this. Its bullshit. Kogan said they need to escalate it. How do I overide it.

  • samehada on 07/04/2020 - 14:12

    This is a very stupid way, they should have a link for you to click on to verify. Now with the restriction in place I have called Kogan many times and no one answer the phone. Now my number porting is stucked.

  • Ryk on 12/04/2020 - 13:46

    I've been hit by this issue twice in the past month. ONce for my phone and again for my son's phone. so stupid.

  • Neoika on 01/12/2020 - 19:24
    +1

    Good news here! You can text to Kogan Mobile from an expired/no credit Optus SIM to confirm the porting now. I think it is the same with porting to Vodafone.

    Maybe from Telstra is also OK with no credits.

    • impoze on 01/03/2021 - 09:36
      +1

      yep just did this yesterday, no credit on optus prepaid, received the one-time code, replied and the port went through, even though it said sms not delivered.

      • wobbie on 11/03/2021 - 14:10
        +1

        Boost to Kogan, reply SMS worked with no credit

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