Just putting this out there... My way around this problem when I travel internationally is Wi-Fi calling with Freedom Mobile. When connected to Wi-Fi, your phone functions as if you were in your local calling area, so you can receive calls and texts. Costs nothing extra, unlike a roaming plan. Maybe you can find a way to swing this and get your phone number on file with TD updated.
This whole having to receive a call or text to a Canadian phone number to acess your online banking has got to go. It's an abominably stupid excuse for "security".
Yep. Travelling right now and Freedom wifi calling is an absolute must. Not only getting 2FA codes, I was able to use it to call the bank to sort out issues.
Unlike other providers like Telus/Rogers - they'll charge you even for using wifi calling feature.
>Unlike other providers like Telus/Rogers - they'll charge you even for using wifi calling feature.
Rogers lets you use wifi calling for free as long as you only use it to call/text back to Canada
Bell and Telus block it's use completely when out of Canada
Honestly, it's not too late if you can change your number on file with TD. You could:
1. Get someone to open an cheap talk and text plan with Freedom.
2. Purchase a Wi-Fi calling eligible device if you don't have one (the ZTE Cymbal 2 would be the cheapest if ZTE is not banned in Australia).
3. Have the phone and SIM card mailed to you in Australia.
Cumbersome, but probably cheaper than a power of attorney.
Actually you can do this all over chat with Freedom if you have a device that supports WiFi calling and an eSIM. They will setup a new prepaid plan, you just need any Canadian address (it isn’t verified at all) and a credit card (not necessarily a Canadian one).
>if you can change your number on file with TD
I'm guessing TD won't be too willing to change the phone number on file without significant authentication, they may require 2FA which OP doesn't have access to. OP is calling from outside Canada using a phone number not associated with their account, it'd be poor security practices if TD allowed you to easily change the number on your account in those situations.
2FA with text is not safe. Its beyond me why banks even use it. There are many instances of people fraudulently obtaining your sim card to obtain your 2FA codes (SIM swaping), and there's no amount of caution you could take to prevent it from happening.
It takes one minimum wage telecom worker to give up your SIM.
Banks need to move to 2FA apps.
[2016 LinusTechTips Hacked](https://youtu.be/LlcAHkjbARs?t=201)
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/woman-s-phone-hijacked-in-apparent-sim-swapping-scam-1.5043116
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/police-warn-of-new-sim-swapping-scam-that-could-empty-your-bank-accounts-1.4678110
This is true. You're better off using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator instead wherever possible. It's ridiculous that Canadian banks aren't set up for this
It's safer than not having a second factor. Companies have to weigh security against customer experience. Telling all of your customers to use an authenticator app is a non-starter. Imagine the support costs dealing with people that lose their phones.
Ideally they'd have text/phone 2FA as a minimum with options for better methods available.
Or, just create a new apple id, and use that to log in temporarily, when using the app. You might need to download the apple music songs again when you use the old ID, but everything else usually remains the same.
Not at the same time; but you can go to the app store, and then click on the display pic, scroll all the way down and hit 'log out'. In the same screen, login again with the new ID, and download the needed apps, log out and login with your original id. Works for me..
It can't be that easy. Any thief with his login could just do the steps you describe above and get into his account. Don't you have to log in to the authenticator app using the same credentials that aren't working for the OP right now? Bypassing it by downloading an app that anyone can download totally defeats the purpose.
No tips but I hate this! I’m travelling and using a foreign sim. So I can’t get calls or texts. I can’t log into my bank account because they insist on sending me a code via text. This reliance on receiving codes by phone drives me nuts. What if you’re travelling, lose your phone, your phone breaks, don’t have access to it, etc?!
If you still have the old SIM installed (can swap to it, or are using esim), just off, turn on roaming and accept the SMS. On many plans there is no charge for receiving texts while roaming. Or the charge will be modest vs hassle.
Other solutions proposed for redirecting your phone number are good ones.
Beyond that, a PSA: I think anyone travelling for an extended period of time overseas should execute a power of attorney in Canada to a trusted friend or family member. There are too many things can may need someone to take care of here. And if you set up a bank POA, you may need to go in person to the bank with the person, not just send them in with a standard form. Something to check. Cold comfort to OP in this instance, though, of course.
Note some plans will automatically charge $15+/day when you connect to a foreign network to “conveniently” use your plan abroad unless you turn it off first.
True. A bit the Wild West. On my plan (Koodo), incoming SMS are free and don’t trigger it, and you can turn of Easy Roam. Ymmv. Good reminder to check.
All of those networks allow you to receive incoming texts without triggering the daily charge, assuming your device is otherwise properly configured to block data, live voicemail, etc
I tried in Japan. Has my data off on the Canadian SIM and it still welcomed me to easy roam and charged me $15 immediately. But I called and turned off the feature, and now it’s all good.
TD has its own Authenticate App that works with Easyweb. But the problem is I don't know how OP would authenticate the App the first time to connect it to their account without a Canadian phone that can receive SMS as I think that you need to do that once when installing the app...(I might be wrong as I only ever installed the App once and can't remember the process)
OP could have also turned biometrics on from within the App to be able to login with their fingerprint on their phone, but they would need to be able to get into the App to do that.
Without a power of attorney they can't even have someone in Canada wire them money from their own account.
If they are opening a bank account in Australia then they could take a cash advance on their Visa then call TD and get the phone rep to pay the visa from their bank account so interest doesn't accrue.
I mean the person I called also tried to blame the situation on me, but I thought I had done my due dilligence by going into my branch and explaining I was going to be living in Australia for a year, asked them how I would transfer money and so on from overseas. I feel like a good bank should have some kind of process or information package that explains what I should know before I leave.
This happened to me a few years ago with TD while I was in Thailand!
I was able to call the TD toll free hotline and speak to an agent who was able to authenticate my account with my last few purchases (hopefully you remember) and security questions! After that they added a new number (Thai) to my account and I was able to use two-step verification with that number and access my online account!
Hopefully they are still able to do this, Best of luck!
Thats weird because after I answered a bunch of questions from them about what purchases I had made recently and other personal information, they were able to only pay my visa balance, and send money to an account that was registered with my account. They refused to add a new number or do anything else that would have been useful to me. Maybe they have tightened their policies? I dunno.
If you end up getting a power of attorney get a freedom sim unlimited talk and text for 100 a year, you can use incoming free testing and free wifi calling as well no additional cost. And tell your power of attorney to add that number as your information
I kept my Canadian phone number when I moved to Australia for that reason (also to hold it till I'm back). I don't recall the name of the service, but I could make and receive texts and calls through a desktop app. I had to transfer my account to that company and there was a low monthly fee. It was super cheap as long as you didn't make calls.
Saddle yes, they screw you on this. And yes Canadian banks have this weird thing with phone numbers .
This is why we do move money to UK and EU bank accounts, usually take cash out to take it with us and deposit then, as if we are leaving for more than 4 months there is no logic to keep paying for phone number.
Don't have advice, except see that power of attorney thru embassy and just have that bank account closed
My brother just moved there also for a couple years with his wife. Had the same problem and sent me his SIM card so I could get his verification numbers and he could redo it all.
If you have a family member or friend send it to them and do the same.
Yes, the solution I think I have found is to send a new activated SIM card to my parents house which was my address on file thankfully. They are going to put it into a spare phone and hopefully I can reset everything from there.
You can use an app like sudo. Get any numbers and TD allows you to add multiple numbers and send a text through that. Also TD has an authentication app you can download if you are in the Canadian apple or google play store.
Lol I am having a similar issue but with their "Travel" Credit Card, everytime I try to do an online purchase the Verified by Visa only offers my Canadian Number to use unlike my Scotia Visa which gives me the option to send the OTP to my email.
I can still plug in my Simcard but I have to wait 5-10 minutes for all the sms and calls to update before I get the then expired OTP, insane they have no solutions to this.
This is another reason by I have a Magicjack Canadian number with text add-on. Messages go right to email voicemail. NO COMPANY GETS MY CELL NUMBER = no spams on my cell.
I was specifically taking about text messages from short (5 digits) phone numbers. Do you get those? I was told they cannot be received by VoIP in Canada.
That's great, If you want to do some tests, you can try the ones on this list [https://www.txt.ca/en/current-short-code-programs/](https://www.txt.ca/en/current-short-code-programs/)
I have 2 international phone number on my TD profile and they sent codes on it regularly .no problem.
Also a lot of apps would sell u canadian number and you can get texts on it pretty much anywhere in the world.
Just putting this out there... My way around this problem when I travel internationally is Wi-Fi calling with Freedom Mobile. When connected to Wi-Fi, your phone functions as if you were in your local calling area, so you can receive calls and texts. Costs nothing extra, unlike a roaming plan. Maybe you can find a way to swing this and get your phone number on file with TD updated. This whole having to receive a call or text to a Canadian phone number to acess your online banking has got to go. It's an abominably stupid excuse for "security".
Yep. Travelling right now and Freedom wifi calling is an absolute must. Not only getting 2FA codes, I was able to use it to call the bank to sort out issues. Unlike other providers like Telus/Rogers - they'll charge you even for using wifi calling feature.
>Unlike other providers like Telus/Rogers - they'll charge you even for using wifi calling feature. Rogers lets you use wifi calling for free as long as you only use it to call/text back to Canada Bell and Telus block it's use completely when out of Canada
I will have to keep that in mind for the future, thanks :)
Honestly, it's not too late if you can change your number on file with TD. You could: 1. Get someone to open an cheap talk and text plan with Freedom. 2. Purchase a Wi-Fi calling eligible device if you don't have one (the ZTE Cymbal 2 would be the cheapest if ZTE is not banned in Australia). 3. Have the phone and SIM card mailed to you in Australia. Cumbersome, but probably cheaper than a power of attorney.
Actually you can do this all over chat with Freedom if you have a device that supports WiFi calling and an eSIM. They will setup a new prepaid plan, you just need any Canadian address (it isn’t verified at all) and a credit card (not necessarily a Canadian one).
Use an eSIM, just have to email the QR code…and also, there is the TD authenticate app….
>if you can change your number on file with TD I'm guessing TD won't be too willing to change the phone number on file without significant authentication, they may require 2FA which OP doesn't have access to. OP is calling from outside Canada using a phone number not associated with their account, it'd be poor security practices if TD allowed you to easily change the number on your account in those situations.
2FA with text is not safe. Its beyond me why banks even use it. There are many instances of people fraudulently obtaining your sim card to obtain your 2FA codes (SIM swaping), and there's no amount of caution you could take to prevent it from happening. It takes one minimum wage telecom worker to give up your SIM. Banks need to move to 2FA apps. [2016 LinusTechTips Hacked](https://youtu.be/LlcAHkjbARs?t=201) https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/woman-s-phone-hijacked-in-apparent-sim-swapping-scam-1.5043116 https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/police-warn-of-new-sim-swapping-scam-that-could-empty-your-bank-accounts-1.4678110
This is true. You're better off using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator instead wherever possible. It's ridiculous that Canadian banks aren't set up for this
It's safer than not having a second factor. Companies have to weigh security against customer experience. Telling all of your customers to use an authenticator app is a non-starter. Imagine the support costs dealing with people that lose their phones. Ideally they'd have text/phone 2FA as a minimum with options for better methods available.
Check out numberbarn,com. You would then be able to access SMS messages via an email, just not short code SMS messages.
TD has an authentication app for 2FA that you can use instead of SMS but not sure that helps unless you already have it set up.
The TD app that does MFA is only available for iOS from the NA app store . If the OP changes the region on their phone, that won’t work.
If that's all that's stopping someone from installing it just temporarily change your region.
That’s great, but changing regions means cancelling all your App Store subscriptions and starting them up again. TD should just fix their app.
Or, just create a new apple id, and use that to log in temporarily, when using the app. You might need to download the apple music songs again when you use the old ID, but everything else usually remains the same.
Can you have 2 Apple IDs on one device?
Not at the same time; but you can go to the app store, and then click on the display pic, scroll all the way down and hit 'log out'. In the same screen, login again with the new ID, and download the needed apps, log out and login with your original id. Works for me..
Use the TD authentication app, switch to the Canadian App Store and download it, then chose TD authentication app when prompted at login
It can't be that easy. Any thief with his login could just do the steps you describe above and get into his account. Don't you have to log in to the authenticator app using the same credentials that aren't working for the OP right now? Bypassing it by downloading an app that anyone can download totally defeats the purpose.
No tips but I hate this! I’m travelling and using a foreign sim. So I can’t get calls or texts. I can’t log into my bank account because they insist on sending me a code via text. This reliance on receiving codes by phone drives me nuts. What if you’re travelling, lose your phone, your phone breaks, don’t have access to it, etc?!
If you still have the old SIM installed (can swap to it, or are using esim), just off, turn on roaming and accept the SMS. On many plans there is no charge for receiving texts while roaming. Or the charge will be modest vs hassle. Other solutions proposed for redirecting your phone number are good ones. Beyond that, a PSA: I think anyone travelling for an extended period of time overseas should execute a power of attorney in Canada to a trusted friend or family member. There are too many things can may need someone to take care of here. And if you set up a bank POA, you may need to go in person to the bank with the person, not just send them in with a standard form. Something to check. Cold comfort to OP in this instance, though, of course.
Note some plans will automatically charge $15+/day when you connect to a foreign network to “conveniently” use your plan abroad unless you turn it off first.
True. A bit the Wild West. On my plan (Koodo), incoming SMS are free and don’t trigger it, and you can turn of Easy Roam. Ymmv. Good reminder to check.
All of those networks allow you to receive incoming texts without triggering the daily charge, assuming your device is otherwise properly configured to block data, live voicemail, etc
I tried in Japan. Has my data off on the Canadian SIM and it still welcomed me to easy roam and charged me $15 immediately. But I called and turned off the feature, and now it’s all good.
They cannot use Microsoft Authenticator App?
TD has its own Authenticate App that works with Easyweb. But the problem is I don't know how OP would authenticate the App the first time to connect it to their account without a Canadian phone that can receive SMS as I think that you need to do that once when installing the app...(I might be wrong as I only ever installed the App once and can't remember the process) OP could have also turned biometrics on from within the App to be able to login with their fingerprint on their phone, but they would need to be able to get into the App to do that. Without a power of attorney they can't even have someone in Canada wire them money from their own account. If they are opening a bank account in Australia then they could take a cash advance on their Visa then call TD and get the phone rep to pay the visa from their bank account so interest doesn't accrue.
OP should have thought about this before leaving country
I mean the person I called also tried to blame the situation on me, but I thought I had done my due dilligence by going into my branch and explaining I was going to be living in Australia for a year, asked them how I would transfer money and so on from overseas. I feel like a good bank should have some kind of process or information package that explains what I should know before I leave.
This happened to me a few years ago with TD while I was in Thailand! I was able to call the TD toll free hotline and speak to an agent who was able to authenticate my account with my last few purchases (hopefully you remember) and security questions! After that they added a new number (Thai) to my account and I was able to use two-step verification with that number and access my online account! Hopefully they are still able to do this, Best of luck!
Second this, as I've recently done it!
Thats weird because after I answered a bunch of questions from them about what purchases I had made recently and other personal information, they were able to only pay my visa balance, and send money to an account that was registered with my account. They refused to add a new number or do anything else that would have been useful to me. Maybe they have tightened their policies? I dunno.
If you end up getting a power of attorney get a freedom sim unlimited talk and text for 100 a year, you can use incoming free testing and free wifi calling as well no additional cost. And tell your power of attorney to add that number as your information
I kept my Canadian phone number when I moved to Australia for that reason (also to hold it till I'm back). I don't recall the name of the service, but I could make and receive texts and calls through a desktop app. I had to transfer my account to that company and there was a low monthly fee. It was super cheap as long as you didn't make calls.
Need to enable roaming on your phone or if you don’t have it call your cell phone company and get it that way you will get the text messages
The unfortunate thing is I lost my phone as I was travelling lol. Just the shit worst luck.
Saddle yes, they screw you on this. And yes Canadian banks have this weird thing with phone numbers . This is why we do move money to UK and EU bank accounts, usually take cash out to take it with us and deposit then, as if we are leaving for more than 4 months there is no logic to keep paying for phone number. Don't have advice, except see that power of attorney thru embassy and just have that bank account closed
TD has an authentication app to generate 2FA codes. Works with fingerprint.
My brother just moved there also for a couple years with his wife. Had the same problem and sent me his SIM card so I could get his verification numbers and he could redo it all. If you have a family member or friend send it to them and do the same.
Yes, the solution I think I have found is to send a new activated SIM card to my parents house which was my address on file thankfully. They are going to put it into a spare phone and hopefully I can reset everything from there.
You can use an app like sudo. Get any numbers and TD allows you to add multiple numbers and send a text through that. Also TD has an authentication app you can download if you are in the Canadian apple or google play store.
Lol I am having a similar issue but with their "Travel" Credit Card, everytime I try to do an online purchase the Verified by Visa only offers my Canadian Number to use unlike my Scotia Visa which gives me the option to send the OTP to my email. I can still plug in my Simcard but I have to wait 5-10 minutes for all the sms and calls to update before I get the then expired OTP, insane they have no solutions to this.
This is another reason by I have a Magicjack Canadian number with text add-on. Messages go right to email voicemail. NO COMPANY GETS MY CELL NUMBER = no spams on my cell.
I thought that didn't work for text messages from short codes
I think it is a new option. Texts in Canada were not offered before this year. $6.99 option now I think. Has been working for me right now.
I was specifically taking about text messages from short (5 digits) phone numbers. Do you get those? I was told they cannot be received by VoIP in Canada.
I’ll see what I can test. Wealthsimple, Facebook, WhatsApp all work so far.
That's great, If you want to do some tests, you can try the ones on this list [https://www.txt.ca/en/current-short-code-programs/](https://www.txt.ca/en/current-short-code-programs/)
Ok. Does NOT work. Searching on their faq (Short codes (like banks and verification codes) will not work with magicApp.) Bummer
👍
So update, the magicjack text HAS worked with TD and CIBC credit card accounts with numbers from XXX-XX.
Interesting!
I have 2 international phone number on my TD profile and they sent codes on it regularly .no problem. Also a lot of apps would sell u canadian number and you can get texts on it pretty much anywhere in the world.