Originally Posted by
RobUAIntl
More thoughts on this 2-factor problem. If you have a trusted friend in USA, use their phone number for the first number (and have them whatsapp you the codes when they come). Once that is working add a second number using your google voice as a work number. You can say that it is mobile and get it verified. Once that is done, just make it your primary number and delete your friends number. I'm pretty sure this will work. I definitely checked my account and I have my USA Verizon cell phone as my mobile number and as primary and my google voice as my work number (with a notation that it can accept text messages). When I log in and it wants to send me a text, it gives me a choice of either phone number. When outside the USA, I always choose the "work number" which is google voice and it always works.
What I think you're missing is that Cap 1 checks any phone number you provide with the telephone carrier to ensure that the names match. It's the same with a mobile or landline number. Virtual phone numbers are not registered with carriers such as AT&T, so your name would not show up. Also, as I stated earlier in the thread, although I can sign up for GV from Japan, I cannot apply for a GV phone number from Japan or any other country where GV is not supported, so that option is not available. You set all this up for yourself while you were in the US, which can be done, but this initial setup cannot be performed in Japan. Too many hoops for me to jump through at this time. Perhaps when I next visit the US I can set this up and reapply for the card, but I've read many complaints from US Cap 1 cardholders who have account access problems while traveling abroad. There's an entire thread on FT about this. Also, GV does not guarantee that you can receive SMS from banks and financial institutions, and I've read many reports online of people who have problems with this using GV.