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

        • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 08:10

          I tried westpac, NAB and , Macquarie, they said the Autnicator will work, but Mastercard itself wanted 2FA. @Meho2026

          • Meho2026 on 07/04/2025 - 09:40

            @sammm: It must be the wording you are using when you talk to the bank.
            2FA can definitely be temporarily switched off for a MasterCard credit card, while you are overseas

  • R081N on 05/04/2025 - 10:36
    -3

    Has anyone mentioned that you should just buy another phone!? Get one with dual SIM. Problem solved

  • snapper17 on 05/04/2025 - 11:39
    -1

    you should also let your bank know your going overseas and which countries so they know to expect transactions from there

    • ak47wong on 05/04/2025 - 22:15

      Irrelevant to OP's problem

  • Kallo on 05/04/2025 - 14:15
    +2

    You can use Up Bank, and then if there is a 3D secure challenge via Mastercard, it will popup a notification on your phone/app.
    You just press approve/deny. There is no SMS code. You will need internet.

    Works similarly to Latitude (in-app) but no code to enter.

  • zep555 on 05/04/2025 - 14:31
    +1

    I live in Asia 9 mths a year. Have a dual SIM Pixel 7, and always buy a local SIM for country l am in if more than a few days. I buy flights / banking etc regularly and often need verification to my linked Oz mobile. I Run data on my eg Vietnam SIM, then turn on my Amaysim eSim and click use Amaysim for SMS, local calls, and leave data on Vietnam SIM running during booking process. I have cheap 365day roaming pack that l only use for this purpose. Tip, it can take 5 minutes or so for Oz SMS to link then arrive, so hit resend if needed. Still amazes me how many people l hear travelling chasing WiFi complaining about connections, they spend thousands on flights hotels and everything else but to tight to buy a SIM be it a week or a month.

  • CurryPuff on 05/04/2025 - 14:34

    You can take your current provider when travelling. During roaming, incoming text messages are free and no provider can charge you for it (ensure data is off while roaming and you don't answer/make any calls).
    You can get your 2fa codes and them swap in your other local sim card if you wish.

    • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 11:16

      Thanks @CurryPuff

  • darkchoc on 05/04/2025 - 15:33

    Revolut. For payments.
    Phone with esim/dual SIM for travelling.
    Roamless data esim for initial period.
    Local SIM.
    Keep Aussie sim with data off.

    Doesn't solve your specific scenario. But a bit of preparation means we don't have to encounter issues with travelling.

  • IgorPrev on 05/04/2025 - 16:15

    Highly recommend Vodafone $5 extra per day - plan data etc carries over to the country you are in. No looking for Sim no mucking around just works. 200GB plan in Australia ? You get 200GB overseas. Even if that country doesn't even have plans that offer over 10GB - everything just carries over.

    Month to Month no lock in contract - carry your number over for that month and then cancel. Or just keep it if it's good value. Total 1200GB for the year is decent on cheapest plan $39 for 100GB

    https://www.vodafone.com.au/mobile/sim-only-phone-plans?hero=AU12629&heroLabel=Save%20$10/mth*%20+%20Double%20Data

    2 week holiday ? $70 extra.

    For the mucking around going to a shop to get a local sim etc - not worth your time. Usually overseas sim is around $20 to $40 anyway. This way - phone number stays.

    When you make calls it asks you - call as a local number or call as Au number ? No additional charges. Any calls that go to your number will come through as well.

    • Liger Zero on 15/04/2025 - 04:24

      With the advent of eSIMs, it's generally pretty easy to get up and running. For a frequent traveller that is quite expensive

  • Davo1111 on 05/04/2025 - 16:41
    +2

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frzinapps.…

    Install on old phone. Turn off battery saver etc. autostart

    In the app settings, disable pin/otp ban

    Sms' are automatically forwarded to gmail

  • Universal Constant on 06/04/2025 - 02:19

    Anyone tried porting mobile no to Crazytel voip provider, sms included also. You would need wifi or local sim for data.

  • Ozykins on 06/04/2025 - 07:43
    -1

    Just get a dirt cheap burner phone for your normal SIM card and just turn it on if you need to receive an SMS 2FA message

    • Eeples on 07/04/2025 - 09:13

      How does this work when the Sim isn’t connected to a network when overseas?

  • sriver on 06/04/2025 - 12:27

    I’ve seen a number of recommendations for Macquarie here which I agree with.

    I’m not sure if you had a specific problem with purchases relating to that country or the shop itself.

    I’d be curious where all the Macquarie travelers have been to.

    I’ve used mine (with Macquarie Authenticator) in:
    Malaysia, Singapore & Japan without issue (2FA on the whole way via app).

    • sammm on 07/04/2025 - 11:21

      I used Macquarie in India last year, my flight with Air India. i went and bought a ticket via Air Ethiopia i tried all cards. Maybe as the flight was over $1k Mastercard via Macquarie wanted 2FA.

  • Brianqpr on 06/04/2025 - 14:06

    Maybe pick up a cheap handset that supports either dual sim or esim and sell it after your trip?

    • sammm on 15/04/2025 - 08:13

      Will try this. @Brianqpr. Thanks

  • Eeples on 07/04/2025 - 09:11

    I informed ME bank by help/chat in the App I would be going overseas. I received no reply. When making EFT transactions overseas (pay anyone) I was prompted for SMS or answers to 2 secret questions for the transaction to proceed.

  • Crammed on 07/04/2025 - 09:32

    I just got back from Japan. I had international roaming off the whole time. I received texts from Telstra, Westpac, and Bendigo Bank throughout my trip. I did have a pocket wifi adapter, but I am doubtful that the sms messages came through over WiFi as Telstra wifi calling did not activate over the wifi connection. I advised my banks that I was travelling overseas. I opened a Wise account and used that for the majority of my overseas credit card transactions. I did not encounter any issues.

  • Boioioioi on 07/04/2025 - 11:53

    I kept sim in my phone then used wifi calling/sms

  • petestrash on 14/04/2025 - 22:36

    I'm on an old Coles $120 a year mobile plan, which suits me fine. The only downside is that I do not receive SMS overseas on this plan.

    When travelling overseas, I put the Coles sim into an old phone, which I leave at home plugged in sitting in a bowl in the kitchen sink (just in case).

    I divert my calls to a local Crazytel VOIP number I have. I can answer this overseas if I have data or wifi, and if I am not online it goes to voicemail which send me the voice message via email.

    For SMS I installed IFTTT free with 2 applets installed, one sends a copy of any SMS to email, the other sends the same message to telegram.

    Has worked flawlessly the last few years.

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