How Do I Receive SMS Messages from The Bank When Travelling

Lsammm on 04/04/2025 - 09:56
Last edited 05/04/2025 - 10:29 by 1 other user

I am going overseas this year to either Italy or Greece.

Last year I was in India and my plane was cancelled and I had to buy a new flight. The problem I had was the 2 factor authentication from my bank. The flight cost nearly $1,000 and it was a new provider. The SMS went back to my phone which could not be used as I was only using a local Indian SIM card. My phone does not have dual SIM. Luckily in the end I had a credit card (Latitude) where the 2 factor authentication went to my email, so I was ok. However, I do not have access to that credit card anymore.

I have an samsung A21s
no access to E sim, with this phone
i use Aldi sim and paying $19 per month.

I also tried Macquarie debit card (mastercard) which uses authenticator and then Mastercard wanted SMS. I talked to Macquarie, they said its up to Mastercard if they want authentication. and to contact them. .
I asked the banks to turn off 2FA but they wanted a phone number.
it If this occurs again on this trip, what are my options?

If i get Boost do i then port my number over and then when i get back port it back to Aldi?

Travel SIM Card

Comments

  • 87percent on 04/04/2025 - 09:58
    +1

    your phone can't take esim?

    • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:10

      No. I have updated the original problem with extra information

      • DangerNoodle on 05/04/2025 - 18:00
        +1

        Use Google messages across both devices and make sure both are signed into the same account. Leave your device at home connected to wifi and plugged in and you should see the messages on the other phone, may need to force a sync.

  • freefall101 on 04/04/2025 - 10:00
    +33

    Put your sim back in your phone

    • Porker on 04/04/2025 - 10:14
      +12

      ^^^ this

      Put your original SIM back in and receive the SMS. Most providers allow you to receive SMSs while overseas roaming and wont charge. The charge generally applies when you send one.

      • Devastator0 on 04/04/2025 - 13:52
        -4

        Granted, I haven't travelled internationally for a while but the last time I did, my then provider (Telstra) said I'd be charged for even just receiving calls or texts.

        • stewy on 04/04/2025 - 16:24
          +6

          I'm on Boost and receive texts whilst overseas without any issues or charges. Boost even works on WiFi calling whilst overseas. Telstra should be the same, since they are running on much the same backend.

          • selphie on 04/04/2025 - 19:22
            +3

            @stewy: same, i'm on Boost prepaid. Did not purchase any roaming add ons and I can still receive SMS while overseas.

          • Wyn-Ryder on 05/04/2025 - 09:17

            @stewy: How'd you get wifi calling working? I went overseas recently and couldn't manage to call out when on wifi

        • MrTweek on 04/04/2025 - 18:43
          +4

          If paying 50 ct for an SMS is the only option to pay for that $1000 flight, you should maybe consider copping the fee.

          • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:15
            +1

            @MrTweek: I would of course accept the .50 cent fee, but i am unsure if Aldi uses roaming. i had not looked.

        • PeterSnoot on 05/04/2025 - 09:05

          You got downvoted for this? WTF?
          In the past, Telstra has been pretty rough when using their service overseas.

          • SlickMick on 05/04/2025 - 15:50
            +1

            @PeterSnoot:

            You got downvoted for this?

            because incorrect

            In the past, Telstra has been pretty rough when using their service overseas.

            Are you also saying you can't receive SMS whilst overseas for no charge?

            • PeterSnoot on 06/04/2025 - 20:47
              +1

              @SlickMick: @SlickMick & @R-Man I agree with the notion of downvoting incorrect comments, so am with you there.

              I had experienced this in the past - not being able to receive SMS for free while overseas on a Telstra plan. It was so long ago that I can't remember the details of the plan. Don't worry, I won't lose any sleep over a downvote ;-)

          • R-Man on 05/04/2025 - 17:39
            +2

            @PeterSnoot: Incorrect or misleading statements should be down voted. Applies to theirs and yours!

          • Devastator0 on 06/04/2025 - 16:49

            @PeterSnoot: Tell me about it. I posted what I posted based on my past experience with Telstra…fine if they changed things and that's no longer the case, I'll stand corrected.

        • Drj55 on 05/04/2025 - 14:30
          +1

          This, but make sure you have global roaming turned on for Australian account. I needed to get a SMS 2FA for a bank transaction overseas but to turn on global roaming I had to get a SMS 2FA!!

        • lalala1111 on 06/04/2025 - 16:32

          I've travelled with my Telstra sim (no roaming since I usually use a 2nd sim from the locally) and can receive SMS without charges. Their clearly state this on their 'welcome to xxx country' sms you receive when you land somewhere

          • Devastator0 on 06/04/2025 - 16:50
            +1

            @lalala1111: That most certainly did not use to be the case. They obviously have changed this since I last traveled overseas and had them as my carrier.

      • focussash on 04/04/2025 - 20:32
        +4

        I was in Thailand recently and did just this, however the SMS did not arrive in my phone until half an hour after I had requested the 2fa, making it essentially useless. This happened with multiple different banks. In the end I had to use a bank which allowed email 2fa (st george). For reference I was with Kogan mobile.

      • kiitos on 04/04/2025 - 21:31

        Do you need to change any settings on your phone after putting your home SIM in, in ordr to receive SMSs? Or does it just work?

        • Porker on 05/04/2025 - 10:13
          +2

          It worked for me seamlessly, however, in the past I've needed to activate 'roaming'.

          I think what phone you use will also assist with the roaming aspect

      • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:11

        will this work with Aldi sim card?

        • TilacVIP on 05/04/2025 - 12:03
          +2

          I have an Aldi sim & I just turn Roaming ON before I leave Australia.

          I only do so to receive SMS's, ie for 2FA. Just don't use the phone & or SIM for any other purpose, as roaming rates are through the roof.

          • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 08:01

            @TilacVIP: thanks, I assume you turn on roaming when you need to use 2FA and turn it off when you don't? is that correct? @TilacVIP. Never thought to check Aldi , and roaming. I always assumed i shouldn't

            • TilacVIP on 07/04/2025 - 14:05

              @sammm: I just leave it in, (I have 2 phones when I'm OS), but only use it on WiFi, and receiving SMS, which is free to receive with the providers I'm with, 1 being Aldi.

      • masteraj on 05/04/2025 - 10:22
        +2

        Optus recently changed this for some customers. 2024 it was fine. Early 2025 they started automatically charging me $5 a day every time I received a text while in NZ, even with the NZ e-sim set to calls and txt and roaming turned off on the phone. And they've made it extremely difficult to opt out of roaming charges. It has to be done on your phone and in your optus account.

        • SlickMick on 05/04/2025 - 15:52
          +1

          This is a concern. Is there anything documented about the change?

          Has anyone else experienced this?

          • yippy on 05/04/2025 - 17:46

            @SlickMick: They've got roaming turned on by default on the new plans, just go in the Optus app and turn off roaming.

            • SlickMick on 05/04/2025 - 17:47

              @yippy: I don't want to turn off roaming, I want to receive SMS for free

              • yippy on 05/04/2025 - 17:48

                @SlickMick: Well you'll be charged $5 a day for the privilege of roaming.

                • SlickMick on 05/04/2025 - 17:49

                  @yippy: Yah, I was looking for an excuse to go back to boost

          • masteraj on 05/04/2025 - 18:19

            @SlickMick: I'm not the main account holder, on a business account and it was a challenge to get the account holder (CFO) to authorise access to the account from overseas to turn it off in the app. There probably was comms about it but they wouldn't read them. IMO it shouldn't be legal to default to opt-in on a daily plan for receiving a txt/phone call, which is completely outside your control. Hoping other carriers don't start doing this.

            • SlickMick on 05/04/2025 - 18:24

              @masteraj: I turn on roaming to receive SMS, and just don't take calls, make calls, or send SMS.

              I'll have to turn voice mail off now - I usually just let phone ring out - I'm not sure why it's recently started diverting to voice mail.

              But I won't be paying for it, so will have to switch to boost before next travel.

      • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 07:57

        i didn't know this. Thanks Will aldi sim card be the same? @Porker

    • Bruceflix on 04/04/2025 - 10:15
      +1

      How did OP not think of this?

      • TheFreaK on 04/04/2025 - 19:56

        Rocket Science

      • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:16

        becuase i thought that it would not work with Aldi monthly plan? will it work? do i then need to see if the plan accepts roamsing?

    • McMaferMur on 05/04/2025 - 09:12

      how about if we use esim as our australian main sim?

      • SlickMick on 05/04/2025 - 17:46

        even easier to swap it back

  • Fredfloresjr on 04/04/2025 - 10:02
    +7

    Shipped your phone back to your bestfriend and ask the OTP, then ask again to ship it back. And repeat.

  • Archi on 04/04/2025 - 10:08

    roaming?

  • hashtagbargain on 04/04/2025 - 10:16
    -2

    special kind of

  • sumyungguy on 04/04/2025 - 10:22
    +1

    Get a new credit card so you don't need to 2FA when paying for stuff

    • trapper on 04/04/2025 - 11:47

      Also this.

      Your money is already protected since credit card companies have to reimburse unauthorised charges.

      The nuisance of 2FA is to protect their money, not yours.

    • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:13
      +1

      I also tried Macquarie debit card (mastercard) which uses authenticator and then Mastercard wanted SMS

      • nR2N on 06/04/2025 - 19:25

        afaik this can be imposed from the merchant side. Indeed currently nothing they/your bank, can do about it. Only if enough people complain to their banks and get visa/master card to make their own app for this purpose.

        • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 08:03

          Thanks for explaining. @nR2N

  • trapper on 04/04/2025 - 11:44
    +9

    SMS is terrible for 2FA in general.

    It's highly vulnerable - phone numbers can be easily cloned or ported, allowing attackers to intercept your verification codes.

    • Devastator0 on 04/04/2025 - 13:53
      +3

      I agree wholeheartedly on this….blows my mind that banks don't have/allow an app based 2FA option.

      • unison on 05/04/2025 - 23:04

        Banks have too many normies as customers who couldn’t handle TOTP, physical 2FA keys or passkeys.

      • buckster on 06/04/2025 - 19:41

        ANZ does I believe, but then you'd have to be banking with ANZ…

  • netjock on 04/04/2025 - 11:50
    +1

    Isn't there a cheap Amaysim plan for this? Amaysim roams even if you don't have a roaming add on

    • sumyungguy on 04/04/2025 - 12:02

      A great feature of Amaysim AYG is the international roaming packs ($20–70) last for 365 days

      • freakitude on 04/04/2025 - 21:16

        OTP's work even without the int'l roaming. Using in India from last 2 months. Only got 10 dollars PAYG plan.

      • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 08:04

        i would then have to port my phone number over then. @sumyungguy

    • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:18

      Do If i got this Amaysim plan, i assume i would have to port my phone number from Aldi to Amaysim, whilst i am overseas. is that the case? @netjock

      • netjock on 05/04/2025 - 17:40

        If you are still here port now.

        I am not sure if Aldi would allow you to receive texts overseas for the port? I thought they text you a code to complete the port.

  • ryefig on 04/04/2025 - 12:20
    +5

    Check with your bank if they will do an authentication code within the app instead of SMS. I had similar where Westpac sent a code to the app instead of a text. Didn't even know it was a thing.

    • stewy on 04/04/2025 - 16:26
      +4

      CBA should do it via the app too.

      Macquare Bank use their own authenticator app which you approve the charge in when the merchant website needs 2FA.

      • BuzzBuzzBuzz on 04/04/2025 - 20:33
        +4

        Which they stupidly call "Authenticator", with absolutely no mention of Macquarie.

        • node modules on 06/04/2025 - 14:43

          It’s only called Authenticator once it’s installed in the phone. Google and msft also do the same. Probably to make it more readable.

      • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:19

        Tried that, and then Mastercard wanted me to authenticate via SMS phone. When i asked Macquarie why . they said go ask Mastercard, nothing we can do.

        • R-Man on 05/04/2025 - 17:41

          Tell them to then ask CommBank and Up - both use MasterCard but accept in-app 2 factor authentication 🙃

      • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 08:05

        thats what i tried. but Mastercard then wanted me to authenticate via 2FA. @stewy

  • Sweet3st on 04/04/2025 - 12:29
    +1

    Is your phone dual SIM? Keep your local number as e-sim, turn roaming off. Use physical travel sim in slot. Or, reverse. With roaming turned off your Australian sim will receive but not send.

    • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:20

      No its not @Sweet3st

  • ode1online on 04/04/2025 - 13:23

    As stated above, if your phone supports dual sim, get an e-sim and run both.. But a LOT of apps from the banks and credit card suppliers act as a 2 factor authenticator, just needs to be setup before leaving.

  • valuer on 04/04/2025 - 14:01
    +1

    Get a card from Macquarie Bank. They have an app for use for when 2FA is required. Other banks are available.

    A txt for authentication may have been good back in the '90s.

    • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:21

      @valuer tried that. then mastercard wanted to SMS me. When i asked Macquarie , they said too bad, go contact Mastercard.

      • valuer on 08/04/2025 - 07:42

        No, you are a customer of the bank. Mastercard provides services to the bank, not you.

  • wetsandwich on 04/04/2025 - 15:58
    +1

    Either put your Aus sim back in, or get a bank that has proper MFA with an app (e.g. CBA).

  • eddyah on 04/04/2025 - 16:48
    -6

    No way OP or anyone is this dumb who doesn't know your phone still works OUTSIDE of Aus…

    • BeamMeUp on 05/04/2025 - 11:02

      Some providers like Boost do not provide roaming bundles that cover all countries so for data coverage you need a different data sim. If your phone is dual sim you can work around this but if its not its not so simple.

      • eddyah on 05/04/2025 - 22:46

        You're talking as if this is a new problem in 2025.

        It's been a problem since phones came out. And it's been SOLVED a long time ago.

        You can still receive SMS without data you know? What are you on about with a data pack and dual sim…

    • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 08:06

      looks like i was this dumb and thanks for reminding me @eddyah

  • somebody123 on 04/04/2025 - 17:19
    -1

    When leaving for a month or longer, port your phone number to aldi. $5 for 2 months. International roaming is included.

  • gromit on 04/04/2025 - 17:24
    -3

    Your bank still relies on SMS as 2FA? what you need to do is change banks ASAP.

    • McMaferMur on 04/04/2025 - 18:37

      Most banks are.
      This is Australia :(

  • McMaferMur on 04/04/2025 - 18:36

    I was with amaysim before, travelled to japan, tested to received sms but couldnt…

    Now with coles mobile, last month went to japan, tested also couldnt…..

    Not sure what did i do wrong… (both esim, connected to wifi, wifi call enable)

    • alterego13 on 04/04/2025 - 19:40

      Get a boost sim next time. I've used it for last 4 overseas (India) trips and it's has worked without a hitch. Did not activate roaming, didn't pay any extra charges. Could send/received calls to/from Australia. Only needed a wifi/data connection from a local Sim. Used esim(boost) and physical local Sim.

      • McMaferMur on 04/04/2025 - 19:48

        Hmm our local sims were esim while travelling. Could be the reason?

      • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:23

        @alterego13 did you port your number over to Boost and then port back to your original phone. i have Aldi, what would i do?

        • alterego13 on 05/04/2025 - 12:15
          +1

          I was with boost already.

      • callmejj11 on 06/04/2025 - 19:14

        agree, same issue with colesmobile -> jp ..no sms..thailand is fine.

    • cyan00FFFF on 04/04/2025 - 20:42

      Most providers don't allow WiFi calling overseas as it allows you to get around roaming charges, however it should be able to receive the texts over 3G or LTE without issue.
      Were they displaying good signal strength? I was in China last year and I found there was good signal on my local SIM but only one bar on my Catch Connect SIM. Had to move around until I found a better spot and resend the text.

    • Climpton on 05/04/2025 - 21:29

      Did you enable the option in the amaysim app to enable international sms?

  • Name on 04/04/2025 - 20:48

    Call your bank. Few years ago my bank did the sms thing. I called them and they disabled 2FA on my account for the period I was travelling and re-enabled it on my return.

    Not so much an issue anymore as they now use the app.

    • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:24
      +2

      Tried that before i went. contacted all banks said i could not use phone for 2FA. they said it wouldnt be a problem, but it was.

  • snapper17 on 04/04/2025 - 21:12
    -1

    you can add an international roaming pack in the boost app.

    • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 08:08

      i am with Aldi @snapper17

  • CuteWittleCorgi on 04/04/2025 - 22:17
    +1

    Put your local sim back in with roaming on. Easy.

  • Essem on 05/04/2025 - 08:00

    Get a Macquarie Debit Card account. No international currency conversion fees, no annual fees, pays interest on funds in your account. Converts at mid range Mastercard rate. You download Macquarie Authenticator app on phone and when making purchase authorise it in the app itself. SMS not required. No data required.

    • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:26

      Thats one of the cards i had. Still Issues as i had to get a flight with Air Ethiopia. they probrably thought it was a scam. Mastercard wanted authentication via SMS @Essem

  • Meho2026 on 05/04/2025 - 09:15
    -1

    Call your bank and ask them to turn off the 2FA while you are overseas.
    I do this every time

    • sammm on 05/04/2025 - 10:29

      tried. see OP

      • Meho2026 on 05/04/2025 - 11:41

        What bank is it?
        I have just returned from overseas and before I left I called the bank and got them to turn it off.I have done that many many times. I use the credit card no problem while I was away, even for large $$$ and never had to use the 2FA SMS.
        On your other comment you said "contacted all banks said i could not use phone for 2FA". You need to specifically instruct them to turn off 2FA to your phone

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