These are those moments where we all realize how **bleep** this company is. Paypal's antiquated method of verification and e-mail payment will likely make them completely irrelevant within a decade as better things arrive (*ahem* cryptocurrencies + TEE + biometrics). @tdietrich67 I am in a similar situation as you, it appears that Paypal still does NOT comprehend the difference between being a "resident" domiciled in a foreign country vs traveling frequently and needing to "verify" ones identity for security purposes (easily) to access your [local] account. SEPARATE ISSUES! Why that is the case is beyond me...? For those Paypal partners @PayPal_Donna who still [hopefully] care about making this service better ... please escalate this issue to your software engineers and whoever can actually make a decision around there. This problem has been around for A VERY LONG TIME. So here is the long annoying workaround to "verify" that you are who you are when you are traveling and need to check or manage your account: Step 1) Setup Google Voice and get a local number there. Step 2) Add the Google Voice number to your phone numbers in your Paypal account. Step 3) Open a Skype account and purchase a Skype number (no need for a plan but you need that number) Step 4) Add Skype Number to your phone numbers in Paypal account. Step 4) Forward your Google Number to Skype Number (more on why below) Step 5) Forward your Skype Number to your International Number you are currently using abroad (changes frequently aka SIM swapper) OK, why do you need all that hassle just to verify yourself? 1) Why a Google Number? Here you will be able to receive voicemail (transcripts to your email) and most importantly RECEIVE SMS texts on a single number! (Skype does not) This doesn't directly apply to Paypal (they ask to punch in a 4-digit number now) but a lot of other services will send SMS verification codes and it is a lifesaver. 2) Why the Skype Number? Skype allows you to forward calls to an international number while Google Voice does not. As mentioned Skype also does not allow for receiving SMS (you can send but not receive). @tdietrich67 hopefully that helps as a workaround for the time being. Honestly, I truly wish there was a better way. Unfortunately, having watched this issue float around here for years I firmly believe this will never properly be brought to the attention of anyone @PayPal_Donna (please do something!). On the bright side, I'm very much looking forward to the expansion of cryptocurrencies + trusted execution environments + biometrics which will all be ubiquitous on mobile devices within the next few years so we don't have to deal with these issues in the future.
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