Need to keep USA cell service?

[Snowy79]

41 minutes ago, hk blues said:

My device is rectangular and about 25% larger than a credit card.  To log onto my online account I need to enter a user id and D.O.B. on screen and then insert my actual card into the device via a slot, my ATM pin and then another code (fixed) which will then generate a 4-digit (it might be 6, I forget) code to finalise the log in on screen.  And, once logged in, If I wish to do a transaction I then need to generate another code via the device.  There is also the option to receive codes via SMS but the signal here is not always reliable. 

My device is completely stand alone. About the size of a credit card but looks like a calculator with the numbers 0 to 9 and a green and yellow button. To get a secure pin you enter your six digit pin then hit the green button and it generates an 8 digit security code that lasts about 30 seconds and allows you to log onto internet banking. If you are paying bills etc you enter your pin then the yellow button followed by the last 8 digits of the account you are paying then it the yellow button again to get a payment code.  It appears to be very secure. 

[hk blues]

56 minutes ago, Snowy79 said:

My device is completely stand alone. About the size of a credit card but looks like a calculator with the numbers 0 to 9 and a green and yellow button. To get a secure pin you enter your six digit pin then hit the green button and it generates an 8 digit security code that lasts about 30 seconds and allows you to log onto internet banking. If you are paying bills etc you enter your pin then the yellow button followed by the last 8 digits of the account you are paying then it the yellow button again to get a payment code.  It appears to be very secure. 

Sounds similar to mine, but no card required for yours.  I can actually use mine to pay bills directly without going online but I've never bothered to try it that way. My system is secure but I feel too much so if that's possible i.e. having to generate a new code for each transaction even after securely logging in.  More so because my device is temperamental at times as I said.

[Queenie O.]

On 2/5/2021 at 5:59 AM, Tommy T. said:

Don't you have a problem if your bank puts you on ignore, listening to lobotomy music for 40 minutes? That's what I like about my Skype connection... it is unlimited calls, unlimited time to USA numbers. Just the texts don't work incoming...

Luckily I haven't really waited too long for help, but I know what you mean--it could happen. Luckily it isn't often that I've needed to call, but when I did it worked out all right. I just have a load phone, no monthly plan.

[Mike J]

22 hours ago, Queenie O. said:

Luckily I haven't really waited too long for help, but I know what you mean--it could happen. Luckily it isn't often that I've needed to call, but when I did it worked out all right. I just have a load phone, no monthly plan.

A few years back I called for my bank from here in the Moalboal using my Skype.  I ended up speaking with their representative who was working in a call center in the Philippines.  

[Youngster]

I'm getting too old, although not yet 60, to learn all these new workaround tricks, so I'll just keep my T-Mobile senior plan.  I may need to change my username.  lol

Edited February 14, 2021 by Youngster

[Maxheadspace]

On 1/30/2021 at 10:20 PM, FlyAway said:

Wife and I are planning the move soon. Wondering how people there communicate with their banks and other agencies back in USA?

 

 

I bought a Skype phone service account.  It's VOIP, but does everything a regular mobile phone will do except make emergency 911 calls.  Select the area code you want and pick a number.  I pay around $50 a year for the account, and if you place calls to the US it's around two cents per minute.  It's an app on your phone.  When people call your US Skype number it rings on your mobile just like a regular call.  If you are in a wifi hotspot, it doesn't use any of your phone credit.  I give it out only to important contacts, like my bank, Department of Motor Vehicles, etc, just to keep the stray calls down.  I am not certain if you can port over your existing phone number, though.  Do some research if you need that.

[Maxheadspace]

On 2/3/2021 at 7:55 AM, baronapart said:

Does anyone use Google Fi? It's a little pricey but it would be good for the times that you need a US number that is actually tied to your phone when you are in the Philippines.

OMG I will never touch Fi again!  I bought a Fi approved phone and got a fi account.  Traveled around Asia and half the places where it was supposed to work, it didn't.  Then somehow my bills started climbing.  I had my phone off for like a month and the bill was outrageous.  I called to ask about it and they couldn't explain, but did tell me if the phone is off I still get charged for incoming calls that I don't answer.  I cancelled on the spot.  What a freakin' nightmare.

 

[Mike J]

9 hours ago, Maxheadspace said:

OMG I will never touch Fi again!  I bought a Fi approved phone and got a fi account.  Traveled around Asia and half the places where it was supposed to work, it didn't.  Then somehow my bills started climbing.  I had my phone off for like a month and the bill was outrageous.  I called to ask about it and they couldn't explain, but did tell me if the phone is off I still get charged for incoming calls that I don't answer.  I cancelled on the spot.  What a freakin' nightmare.

 

It is the experience and advice from our members like this that makes our forum such a valuable source of information.  Well done sir.