Phone Number Verification Workarounds for Signing Up on Major Platforms in Canada

Questions
1

Hello everyone!

I have a question that is very important for me, as since I fell into the online privacy rabbit hole (about 3 years ago), my digital life has been completely blocked by one crucial element: I am unable to create a “not related to me” account on major platforms like Google or Discord due to the systematic phone number verification when using a VPN.

My threat model is as follows: I want to separate my daily life, which is contained only on my phone, from my computer. I own a Mac, but it is highly monitored. I have never logged into a personal account on it; I do not use iCloud or the Apple ecosystem. Primarily, I utilize open-source software, a permanent VPN, a firewall, and an enhanced browser. In essence, I aim to maximize the limitation of data collection about me. Let us view this computer as a ‘safe space’ where I can start over with my current tools and knowledge.

I seek one or more accounts on Discord for the sole reason that many communities (of significance to me for troubleshooting) exist exclusively on this platform.

As for Google, the primary reason is to be able to sign up for other platforms that require logging in only via a Google account (or Discord, X…). There are dozens of them which I never could use over the time.

I am tired of browsing the internet as a helpless observer, unable to utilize any services. As I often need to ask questions for self-improvement or troubleshooting, I have relied solely on an AI running locally on my computer for the past year. This solution is limited, and I feel disconnected from the world. Every task takes me triple the time because I always have to find solutions or alternatives.

In brief, sorry for the lengthy message. My main question remains: how can one circumvent the phone number verification systems of these platforms? It should be noted that ‘temporary phone numbers’ are blocked by these services and do not work. I have also tried two paid applications, but ‘verified numbers’ are only offered to US residents. A crucial piece of information: I reside in Canada, and viable solutions are becoming scarce. I have considered purchasing a phone with a prepaid plan, but it remains a substantial monthly cost, just for verifying these accounts occasionally. There is also the fear that they might request personal information, which would defeat the initial purpose.

I’m living privacy fatigue and I don’t want to give it all up just for that.

Any advice is welcome, but concrete solutions for Canadian residents would be highly appreciated!

Thanks to everyone in advance.

2

You can use https://jmp.chat; they are from Kitchener, ON. I use it and I know quite some people ion both sides of the border who uses it.

You can pay by crypto (BTC, ETH, BCH, XMR) or cash-by-mail if you want anonymity in paying.

For their SMS compatibility see FAQ/Why isn't my number being accepted by an online service? - Soprani.ca Wiki.

(I have a referral code. Let me know privately before signing up if you want first month free.)

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Thank you so much! I was just looking at their website. Someone on the chat (a user) told me that his number didn’t worked for Skype, but that it might be possible to contact support directly to get a working number.

I will reach out to them before anything else and get back to you as soon as I receive a response!

4

I have a question, and I’d appreciate your insight if you know the answer. Someone suggested using 2FA to prevent my account from being compromised and having to authenticate with my phone number. I am not very familiar with how 2FA works. What information is sent to the service requesting authentication? Are details such as the serial number of my phone transmitted? Could this compromise my anonymity and create a link between the two devices? I noticed that Ente (an application I already use for photos) has an app called ‘Ente Auth’. Any other recommendations?

Also, it might be obvious, but should I always connect to the same VPN server whenever I access the created account (e.g., Google)? Can that particular server become problematic and constantly trigger a ‘red flag’ with ‘Google’, making account access difficult?

I ask because I keep getting banned from Reddit, even though I’m not engaging in any suspicious activities or breaking any rules. The same issue occurred with Discord (unfortunately, the only time I managed to create an account).

5

For TOTP 2FA at least, nothing, aside from the secret and codes.

Though this is a separate issue from the one you initially asked about here (authentication vs verification).

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6

Sometimes the solution is right under our noses. :sweat_smile:

I should have look there first. I was overwhelmed with all the research I was doing at the same time.

Thank you!

7

This was the first thing I was going to comment on before I even began reading your post. Indeed, it is my understanding that Canada is one of the few remaining countries where you can buy and use a prepaid SIM card without any KYC.

Has that changed or is it just a little pricey? If it’s the latter, how pricey does it get?

I can’t imagine it costing more than $15/$20 in total.

That being said, if you are going to sign up to multiple services, and even have multiple accounts with the same services, it is better to have a unique number for each. In that scenario, I can see how using multiple real numbers has the potential to quickly become expensive.

SOLUTION:

I would try services like SMSPool. And if you use it, don’t pay with a credit card. Try using Monero if you can. That is what I have been working on for over a year, and I may have finally found a solution, albeit temporary.

Does your number need to be from Canada?

For privacy reasons, I would imagine that having a number that is tied to a different country from the one you reside in would be better.

Are your numbers just for sign-ups or do you plan on using them long term?

My strategy has always been to just use numbers for signups, after which I immediately enable MFA/2FA via authentication app. Once I have MFA via app enabled, I accept that I will lose that number, and hope that any service I sign up to never asks me to verify my number again. So far so good.

Discord requires a phone number when you use a VPN?

That sucks.

I don’t know how often you travel outside of Canada, but every privacy enthusiast should consider any opportunity to travel outside their country of residence as an opportunity to sign up to any service they might want or need, without a VPN.

I’m not saying you should travel abroad to sign up for stuff. Just that if you ever have the chance to travel abroad, you should consider the opportunities you have to sign up for stuff that won’t link you to your home location. You could do the same when you travel to a different city/state/province/region within the same country, but it’s always better when it’s a different country.

So you don’t have an Apple ID on your Mac? How do you do it?

I’m currently in this situation. For the most part, I don’t have any issues installing apps from outside the Mac App Store. However, recently I have noticed that some apps are exclusively on the Mac App Store. Like Cake Wallet. If you go on Cake Wallet’s GitHub, you can download their apps for any platform: Windows, Linux, Android, etc…except macOS.

Why do you need multiple Discord accounts?

I mainly use Discord for troubleshooting/customer service too, but recently, I find that I need it for other types of communities, and I don’t want all my identities to be linked to one account.

Discord and Twitter only allow signups via Google account?!

I have rarely encountered platforms that were that exclusionary. The only one I can think of is Power Thesaurus which don’t allow sign-ups via email.

I feel you. It is frustrating to feel disconnected from the world. It’s important to find the right balance.

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The last time I visited a small shop offering prepaid cards, the merchant told me that it was no longer possible to purchase them due to a certain laws or something like that. He was vague and I struggled to understand him. As you say, if I need multiple numbers for different services, the costs can rapidly escalate, which is not sustainable as I only seek accounts verification.

I will try SMSPool. Thank you for the link! Is this the best solution you have found thus far? JMP was suggested to me yesterday and I am hesitant on which type of service to choose (permanent or temporary) for this reason:

From my experience, Phone number verification can be requested more than once on Discord and I fear losing access to my account again because I cannot provide the same number. Note that I’ve never activated 2FA. Perhaps with 2FA, I may encounter less of these issues. I shall give it a try.

Absolutely not. I only need to remember to connect to a server in the same country every time.

Google would primarily be just for signing up and I would use Discord normally.

I’m crossing my fingers that activating 2FA solves my problem!

Unfortunately, I don’t really have the chance to travel. Can’t a VPN have the same function? I have a friend who travels a lot and he has created different accounts like Netflix in different countries which allows him to pay much less for his subscriptions, but can’t a VPN do the same trick? I’ve never tried. Anyway, once home, the VPN would have to be activated to hide your real IP address.

Honestly, I lied since I forgot that I did indeed need to log in once for an expensive software that I paid for on the App store. I had logged into another user session on the computer, but unfortunately, my computer’s serial number is now associated with my account. I scratched my head for a long time to find another way to do it, but I had to move on and I messed up.

That is precisely my issue! I don’t want all my interests grouped together and become easily identifiable.

There are others, as I have hit a wall more than once. Just yesterday, I wanted to register on a website, and while sign-up via email was possible, emails from Proton, Tutanota or email services that are not mainstream were not accepted. In fact, it’s after this fail that I decided to write this post.

After years in this rabbit hole, I am trying to find a balance, but it is still very difficult for me as each difficulty or mistake reminds me of how challenging it is. And the more you know, the more vulnerable you feel about potential (or already made) mistakes. It’s time consuming and during this time, nothing is done. The Apple ID is a direct example of it.

I know what I need, but I have much to learn before finding the right balance. I will read the article you suggested.

It’s why I’m gonna try SMSPool with an other payment method than Monero - that I actually know nothing about. For now, it will do; That doesn’t mean I don’t want to learn about it in the future, it’s just that I have to move on with this &#%! Discord account. :wink:

Thank you for the lengthy and detailed response! It’s really appreciated!

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I don’t know what type of shop it was, but I suggest you go to any major phone store in a mall and inquire about it. Even if you don’t buy, it’s worth inquiring about to be sure.

I haven’t tried it yet, but I probably will this weekend. I’ve been wanting to try it for months, but I have been waiting because I don’t want to pay SMSPool with my credit card. I want to use Monero which is the only cryptocurrency that is completely private and anonymous. SMSPool accepts Monero and I was finally able to acquire Monero without KYC.

From my experience, enabling 2FA via authentication app dramatically reduces the chances you will ever be forced to verify your number again. So far, it hasn’t happened to me with any of the services that have my actual number.

Do they ask me if my number is still the same occasionally?

Yes.

Do they force me to re-verify my number via SMS or else they will deny me access?

Never.

I have friends who have changed numbers and never updated their infor with the online accounts that have it. That is risky if you don’t have 2FA via app enabled.

If you want an additional layer of security on top of 2FA via authentication app, you can also enable 2FA via U2F (Yubikey), for the websites that support it.

That’s good to know.

That’s alright. And yes, you are absolutely correct, a VPN should achieve the same function. But websites know when you are using a VPN, which is not an issue at all, as long as they allow it.

In you original post you said that creating an account with a VPN triggers the requirement for a phone number, hence why I was saying that if you have the opportunity to travel, use it to create an account without a VPN if VPNs don’t work.

I recommend that if you do that, do not do it at a relative’s house, i.e. someone who has direct ties to you. I also wouldn’t do it in a hotel room if my Internet connection is linked to my room, which is linked to my name.

Are you 100% sure that it’s the VPN that triggered the phone number requirement?

That’s alright.

Yes, I also don’t like that Discord tells you about servers you have in common with other people. You could be in a superconservative Christian server and find out that you and one of your fellow members also belong to an LGBT server. It could be really comforting, but at the same time feel really weird. Not to mention the risk of being outed.

Yeah, I’m not surprised.

I hear you. I find that if I am enjoying the process of learning about privacy, and adopting new tools, I don’t mind putting in the time. But I obviously get frustrated too sometimes, and certainly experience FOMO from not doing common things that everybody does that are privacy invasive.

Remember that it’s a journey and you can always re-assess. Social connection is important.

You can always create an anonymous Apple ID with gift cards.