US Phone Number

@alan279

If you have an esim compatible phone you can try TELLO. I have been using them for two years with no issues and have activated two different phones while here in Brazil.

If you just want a VOIP provider check out Zadarma.

@alan279 I have my US phone number with unlimited roaming in all of Latin America from AT&T, including unlimited data, voice, etc. It also includes free HBO. Not the cheapest option, though.

@bepmoht

Does Tello work for text messages? I just need to receive text messages from a US bank.

@alan279

Yes it does.

@alan279

I can also confirm that Tello serves this purpose well down here, whether via Wi-Fi Calling or, when necessary, via Roaming.  Just make sure your phone is both Unlocked and Compatible (check Tello's site for compatibility requirements , specifically band frequencies). 

@Marcos999

I just learned that my bank will not use VOIP or mobile app numbers for authentication.

I'll try to switch my Social Security deposits to another US bank, whenever ID.me is working again.

@alan279

I recently needed to do this.  The DOGE reforms to the process, for "security reasons," had two major impacts to the process.   First, on the online portal, for those with a registered foreign address, as may well be the case with a good many folks on this forum (as it was with mine), this functionality was blocked.  Second, their call center was no longer permitted to do so for anyone, regardless of domicile.   

The only alternative:  physical presence in a stateside Social Security office.

As it happened, I was traveling to the States for other reasons, and somehow managed to snag a rare appointment opening, which, especially these days, would need to be scheduled many months in advance.  I was well attended by the harried SSA staff, and made a point of thanking them for their service under, to say the least, suboptimal conditions.     

Your best bet, if you have a foreign address registered with SSA, and the functionality is still blocked, may be the Lisbon FBU (via email).   Let us know how it goes.

I've had a foreign address with the SSA for ten years. My problem is with ID.me not responding.

Actually, ID.me is throwing  "System error, please try later."

I've tried later. I'll try later still.

But I can't see how emailing Lisbon could possibly help, as they would have to authenticate me to change my bank account, wouldn't they?

10/21/25 I'll try to switch my Social Security deposits to another US bank, whenever ID.me is working again. - @alan279

For what it's worth, last night I tried to sign into the SSA site using login.gov, and was stopped by a "temporary" security block.  I tried with ID.me, and got in.

Tonight I tried again, and got in on both login.gov and ID.me.  So the blocks may be temporary and random, and it may be worthwhile to retry periodically.

I should mention that, for security reasons I always use a VPN with a US IP address (usually Chicago, where I used to live) for US sites, and that my login.gov account is set up for two-step verification through Authenticator, and my ID.me account is set up with a passkey.

@abthree

I still get a System Error after authenticating with ID.me..

I requested a password reset for login.gov. I have to verify my identity. I entered my SSN, Brazil phone number, took a photo of my passport and my face, then was asked to enter my US address. That failed. They may have an old US address. But they have my Brazilian address and phone number.

Having just logged into SSA via both login. gov and ID.me,  the access issue indeed appears to have been normalized; the only potential issue for some users relates to two-factor authentication with ID.me.   I tested 2FA via passkey (OK), text to a US mobile device (OK) and text to a local mobile device (none received).  As we know 2FA via text is far from ideal from a security perspective anyway.  No issues with gov.br.

@alan279

The suggestion of recourse to the FBU was meant as a last resort in case the SSA website still blocked users with a registered foreign address from doing so online.   I just tested this online to see if this was still the case. The functionality is still blocked, but it said to call customer service.   The problem is that at the height of DOGE SSA was instructed not to do so over the phone, but this may now have changed.  Let us know how it goes.

@Marcos999 October 22nd and the majority of weeks before I have been able to call the USA SSA with no problem. I do have a special number Verizon got me (301) area code that covers my Brazilian Phone number and of course, I have a VPN.  In the near future I need to travel to the SSA office in New England to officially change my residence to Brazil. I DO NOT trust the website (who else can tell me any major official organization that has TWO websites). I am constantly getting referred to the other site every time I try to go on.

Roddie in Retirement😎

@Marcos999

ID.me is not responding. I'll try again later.

Login.gov requires a US phone number, and I don't have one. An old address seems to have been accepted.

10FA! 🙃

@alan279

Sorry, not 10FA.

Login.gov identity verification requires:

Username

Password

Backup code

SSN

Passport photo

Selfie

US address

US phone number

@alan279

As @roddiesho has mentioned above that SSA's stateside phone lines are not as backed up as before, and as of today  their site instructed me to call them if I want to make a direct deposit change, going 100% analog - go figure - may solve the issue for you.  Worth a try and hope it works for you.

@Marcos999

All I need is a phone...

@alan279

Allen, FYI, Tello is not a VOIP or APP (They do have an app, but it’s mainly for managing your account). Tello on a phone is actual phone service. So 2FA comes through via SMS messages. You just need a phone with esim capability. Some phones, like my iphone 13, are actually dual esim compatible. So for me I have both my Brazilian phone number (VIVO) and my USA phone number (Tello) on one device. Easy/Peasy. Both lines are active simultaneously.

Good luck

@bepmoht

Thanks, I now understand how Tello works. But I don't have an eSim compatible phone.

I just need to make two phone calls to the US. I could be on hold for a while, but maybe just a regular international phone call would suffice?

I haven't made a plain old phone call in years.

I paid Viber $4.99. I called a toll free number in the US for free. Other US numbers cost 1.9 cents per minute.

@alan279

Magic app