Verizon appears to be blocking 2MFA text messages
 

When security designed to improve authentication gets blocked, the world is going down in the flames in hell!

Had to call tech support, was not getting returned 2MFA texts with codes.
Tech support admitted that they are now starting to see carriers blocking texts that they deem spam, or dangerous. . so my 2MFA code text message was blocked at the carrier as the technician pulled up the text message on his end and it reported that the carrier received the text appropriately

The insurance sales rep had no idea what i was talking about, as all calls get routed to account sales reps, .. . and the auto attendant can;t process anything that is not an account issue. .

just a new twist to world of technology. .

No problem with ATT or T-Mobile. Maybe it’s your phone

Trying to stop identity theft is like trying to swat mosquitoes. Every time they come up with one method three more problems develop.

I use this al the time on Verizon (to my cell phone) and no problems. Try calling whoever is sending the 2MFA message and let them know there is a problem. It is possible that there is something in the message that is triggering the spam filters. Also, check YOUR spam filter settings and see if you can set the vendor as a SAFE sender.

VT, you are not comprehending correctly. , all the other 2MFA numbers work fine, except this one. And as stated, I called the company sending the text, and that was their response, that they are seeing carriers blocking numbers which appear to the carrier as spam or suspicious, as the carrier posted the text as went through to end user, and I didn't get two. I am not the only one who is having this problem. your success sample size is 1, his sample size of failures is larger than 1. My sample size of success is 2 which I use all the time, and 1 which now no longer comes through.

So the number is a 5 digit number, not a 10 digit phone number, and the 5 digit number is in my contacts, I will wait and try again before contacting the carrier, verizon in this case.

Do you have the option of receiving it as email instead of text?

Curious if your company mentioned if it was happening only with Verizon and no other carriers.

You should have been given the option when you signed up for MFA or 2FA (not 2MFA). Another option that's worked for this issue is to text the word START to the 6-digit short code

Checked your blocked numbers, for Text.

I found out that the way Verizon sometimes does it is that they "automatically" add certain numbers to my blocked list.

When I unblocked the number, I started to get the texts again.

Big problem: if have a llloooonng list of blocked numbers, it's hard/impossible to know which are the ones you need to unblock.

Solution: unblock all of them! Then start to block again the ones that really need to be blocked.

I use the two factor verification, but I opt for a phone call instead of a text. Both Vanguard and Fidelity offer the options to receive a phone call or a text.

With a phone call do they read the number to you? Seems slower and more prone to transcription errors.

I'll have to remember to check but I don't believe all services have a phone call as an option.

The text ought to work. If Verizon acted on their own incentive to block the text then it needs to stop and if they automatically added the short code to the block list then they need to alert the user.

I find the phone call more convenient. They call immediately and read the number as I type it in. Very fast. I don't use texting a lot, and sometimes I had trouble finding the correct text.

I rarely remember to bring my phone to the computer with me, so I would miss the call. I always have to get up from the computer and search for my phone so I can retrieve the text and enter the code to complete the login. I just can’t be one of those people with my phone surgically attached to me.

Two potential solutions:
- Texts to a Google Voice number can be viewed on a computer. However, some services won't accept VOIP numbers.

- If you happen to have an iPhone and a Mac then texts to your phone can come to the computer as well. (Yes, I know, not everyone has Apple products, but for those who do....)

THANKS!

most informative reply of all replies, which provides a solution, not just typing what should happen or that my 2FA works on my phone, or call the provider, which I explicitly stated i did.

2FA is a must to use. So is a VPN.
Not sure if people know this but your data packet/request going to companies like PayPal, eBay, or dozens and dozens of other companies, does not go directly to these sites. I worked at a company that looked at these data packets, evaluated it to see if you are a viable/good client or a crook, and we would let the destination company know before they let you into their site.

Also, you have so many other programs like LifeLock and antivirus that are looking at your network data, mostly to protect you

Interesting conversation, but the thing that struck me is that you people are still paying the crazy high phone rates of the major carriers. I have not been on a major carrier in years, and have 4 lines in the family averaging about $18 a month for mostly unlimited service on Mint, Tello, and US Mobile. I do pay yearly, which is a huge savings, but MVNOs are way cheaper and run on the big carriers networks. Mint has a special going now for $180 for a year of unlimited if you port your number in. You need an unlocked phone of course, but I would never buy a locked phone anyway.
As far as 2FA, If Verizon is locking you, just get a Google voice number to use for that. We use google voice for ONLY that so my wife and I can both access all our accounts, because the texts come to both phones since we have it set up that way. Also works with an esim when overseas because it runs off data, not phone or SMS.

agree, and when we are both on retirement income, that will change our spending habits to more of a financial survival approach, but not changing until we have to change due to work needs . . .

I need a new phone, so potentially I should look at your suggestions now. .
so very timely suggestions for me at the moment, preparing for SS next year. .

sportsguy

I have Xfinity Mobile, which uses the Verizon network. For $21 per month, I get unlimited calls and texts and 1GB of mobile data. Most people have unlimited data, but I have never exceeded the 1GB limit because WIFI is available almost everywhere.

Mint Mobile has been offering $180 per year (prepaid) for at least 5 years. It now features unlimited voice, text, and data, although the data bandwidth could be throttled after 5 gigabytes (for the month). The new customer offer, probably good for one year only, is a good deal if you routinely go over 5 gigabytes per month and want to avoid any possible throttling.

We dumped Verizon and switched to Consumer Cellular. As AARP members, we save over 75% on 2 phones with unlimited phone, data and texts. We have better phone service/coverage with Consumer Cellular too. So, from our experience, Consumer Cellular is Better and wayyyyy Less Expensive than Verizon.