French bank won’t accept my UK mobile number to confirm purchases
Reader reports that it is impossible to use 11 digits mobile number in French banking system
French bank cannot sent text alerts to UK number to confirm purchases made online
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Reader question: I cannot use my UK mobile phone number to receive alerts from my bank in France when making purchases online. A manager in the bank explained to me that the banking system does not support 11-digit phone numbers. Does this mean that I have to get a French SIM-card just to receive alerts from my bank?
The president of consumer association France Conso Banque told The Connexion this kind of problem also affects anyone without a mobile, or simply with a mobile deemed too old, which he said is around 30% of the population.
‘Too old’ often means an operating system older than Android 5 or Apple’s iOS 11, he said.
He said that legally in such cases an alternative must be given.
One is to call a phone number which will deliver a single-use code to authenticate the purchase.
Another possibility is a special box linked to your internet box, which can be charged at around £30.
He asked readers to flag up any banks not offering such options to the association by making an inquiry through their website or calling them directly.
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