Virtual Phone Number for Expats

The Bank Problem Is Worse Than You Think

Let me expand on this because it's the one that bites hardest.

US banks are paranoid about fraud. Rightly so. When they see unusual activity — like, say, charges from Portugal when your address is in Ohio — they want to verify it's you. How do they verify? They call the phone number on your account.

If that number is disconnected, the call fails. If it's an international number, many bank systems literally can't dial it. (And yes, I learned this the hard way.) They'll send you a letter instead. To your US address. Which you no longer live at.

The result? Frozen accounts, blocked cards, and hours on hold with customer service trying to verify your identity from 5,000 miles away. All because you didn't have a reachable US number.

A virtual number solves this completely. Your bank has a US number on file. They call it. You answer from wherever. Done.

The Real Cost Comparison

People usually pick one of four paths. Only one makes sense:

Case Study: Sarah's Move to Spain

Sarah moved from Chicago to Barcelona in March 2024. She's a freelance designer, mid-30s, tech-savvy. She assumed she'd figure out the phone situation later.

Three months in, here's what happened:

• Chase Bank flagged her card for fraud (Spanish charges). Called her old number. No answer. Card blocked for 8 days.
• Her mom called once, couldn't figure out +34, gave up. They only FaceTimed for 4 months. Mom felt distant.
• SSA callback about a benefits question. They called her US number. Gone. Had to restart the entire inquiry process.
• Old client tried to hire her for a $12k project. Called her number, got "disconnected" message. Assumed she'd gone out of business. Hired someone else.

She got a virtual US number in July. Ported her old Chicago number. Cost: $10/month. Within 2 weeks, she'd resolved the bank issues, her mom was calling weekly, and she picked up a new client who'd found her old number in his contacts.

Total cost of not having a virtual number those first 4 months? At least $12,000 in lost work, plus immeasurable family stress. The $40 she would've spent on the virtual number seems pretty reasonable now.

The "Just Use WhatsApp" Myth

I hear this constantly. "Everyone uses WhatsApp now. Who needs a phone number?"

Here's who doesn't use WhatsApp:

• Your bank's fraud department
• The IRS
• Social Security Administration
• Your doctor's office
• Your accountant's assistant
• That recruiter who still has your resume from 2019
• Your 73-year-old aunt
• Any website that sends SMS verification codes

WhatsApp is great for friends. It's useless for institutions. And institutions are exactly who you need to reach you when you're 5,000 miles away.

How Virtual Numbers Actually Work

Think of it like email forwarding for phone calls.

Your US number exists in the cloud. When someone dials it, the call routes over the internet to wherever you are. You can answer:

• In your browser — Click to answer, talk through your laptop. Works anywhere with wifi.
• Via app — Phone rings like a normal call. Caller doesn't know you're abroad.
• Forwarded to local number — Your Spanish cell rings. Pick up like any call.
• Voicemail — Miss the call, get a transcription emailed to you.

The caller experience is identical to calling any US number. They don't know it's virtual. They don't know you're abroad. They just get connected.

Port Your Number vs. Get a New One?

This is the big decision. Here's how to think about it:

Port your existing number if:

• Banks, doctors, and government have it on file
• Family and friends know it by heart
• It's tied to your 2FA/SMS verification accounts
• You've had it for years and don't want to lose it

Get a new number if:

• Your carrier won't release the number (some fight hard)
• You're okay updating your contacts
• You want a fresh start in a new area code
• You're in a hurry (porting takes 1-3 weeks)

Most expats who've had their number for years should port. It's worth the 2-3 week wait to keep the number everyone already has.

Setup: 10 Minutes Before You Leave

Do this before you move. It's easier to set up while you still have your US carrier active.

1. Choose a virtual number provider — Look for one that supports number porting and SMS.
2. Start the port — Provide your current carrier account info. Takes 1-3 weeks to complete.
3. Set up call handling — Browser, app, forwarding, or voicemail. You can change this later.
4. Test it — Have someone call. Make sure it rings where you expect.
5. Cancel your old carrier — Only after the port completes and you've verified it works.
6. Update your bank contact info — If you got a new number (didn't port), update your accounts now.

If you're already abroad and your old number is gone, that's fine. Get a new virtual US number — instant setup. Then update your bank, doctor, and family with the new number.

What About SMS?

Critical detail: not all virtual numbers support SMS. Before you sign up, verify:

• Can you receive SMS? (For verification codes)
• Can you send SMS? (If you need to text people)
• Does SMS work with short codes? (Banks often use 5-digit numbers)

If 2FA codes are important to you (they should be), SMS capability is non-negotiable. Some budget providers skip it. Don't get stuck.

The Identity Anchor

Here's the thing people don't talk about: your phone number is weirdly emotional.

It's one of the few constants in adult life. You've probably had the same number for 10-15 years. It's on every form you've filled out. Your parents memorized it. It's part of your identity.

Canceling it feels like cutting a tether. For $8/month, you don't have to. Keep the number, keep the connection, keep part of home in your pocket while you build a life somewhere new.

That's not sentimentality. That's practical wisdom.