Registering with MercadoLibre

[JaneD]

@JaneD here's my two cents. I want to preface it though by saying that I'm in my 30s and still fairly tech savvy, so I know that what may seem intuitive to me may be the complete opposite to others on this forum (I'm not asking and you don't have to say, lol). For example, it was only via this forum that I learned Vonage is apparently still a thing - for me that's a word that's about as quaint as hearing someone mention AOL or Y2K. I also say this knowing my parents (who are 60 and 70) would probably look at me like deer in headlights after reading this post.

Anyways, I understand that you have a disabled daughter who needs to reach you as easily as possible, and that's obviously more important than money, but....paying $100 a month just to keep a U.S. phone number is a really crazy concept for me to wrap my head around. I pay absolutely nothing, zero cents a month, and get all of my U.S. calls and texts here (including SMS and bank verification codes) with no issues whatsoever. Here's what I did:

1. Signed up for a free Google Voice number before I started traveling. You'll receive a new U.S. phone number and can generally choose whatever area code you prefer. You need an existing U.S. phone number to initially register, which is why I did this before leaving the States, but you can do it from here as well. Once you've completed registration you can dump your current number and use Google Voice's number exclusively. Google Voice is my primary and I use it for 99% of any calls I need to make or receive to/from the States.
2. Set up a backup account with a U.S. mobile app called "TextFree" - this will give you a second U.S. phone number. The cost is free and you don't lose your number as long as you use it at least once every 30 days. There are similar apps, but TextFree has worked very well for me.
3. Visit a local Claro store and ask for a tourist SIM. You'll need your passport and a credit card. The initial cost should be less than $10 and your first month will be included, most likely with a 20 or 25gb data package. There are other providers besides Claro if you prefer. You'll then have a local number you can use to sign up with MercadoLibre, Rappi, PedidosYa, etc.
4. After your first month with Claro, you can add "top-up" packages on their website. The cost for a monthly package is ridiculously cheap. For example, I just checked and it's 3.500 pesos for a monthly package which includes 15gb of data, unlimited Whatsapp and social media, and 1000 local minutes + 1000 local texts (which I never use because almost everyone here uses WhatsApp).
5. If you're not already on WhatsApp, you can use your new local phone number to create a new WhatsApp account.

Once this is all completed, you now have three ways people in the U.S. can call or message you for free:

1. They can call you or text you at your U.S. phone number that you created via Google Voice. My phone rings here just the same as it would back home. Google Voice works best while you're connected to WiFi, but will also work while you're connected to Claro's mobile network assuming you're in the city and not in some remote area that only has 2G or 3G towers.
2. Or they can call you or text you at your U.S. phone number that you created with TextFree.
3. Or they can create a WhatsApp account and call you or message you for free via WhatsApp.

Since it sounds like you currently have an existing U.S. phone number with a traditional carrier, I don't see any reason why you can't get a new number with Google Voice and program it into your daughter's Alexa. As long as you are on WiFi or have a good mobile signal with Claro, your phone should ring like it would for any other phone call. You can also program Google Voice to send you an email alert any time you have a missed call, as well as send you emails with transcripts of your incoming text messages and voicemails.

As far as banks and whatnot, I've had no issues getting verification codes from my various financial institutions. I bank with USAA, and have credit cards through Capital One, Citi, Discover, and a few others. I also get SMS verification codes just fine from other companies like Airbnb, Amazon, Uber, credit report providers, etc. I have all of my credit cards programmed to send me text alerts for every transaction attempt regardless of the amount, and those text alerts always come through on Google Voice within seconds of me making a purchase.

I get that you might be wary and cautious of trying anything new or different since already know your current set-up works for you and your daughter. But there shouldn't be any downside in exploring the alternatives and keeping your current U.S. number while you do so. Once everything's set up, you can try a few test calls and make sure you're happy with the call quality and everything. If everything works great, dump your current provider and you've got an extra $100 a month in your pocket. If not and you're not happy or satisfied with the alternatives, then keep your current setup for now and at most you've only lost $10 from the Claro SIM you purchased.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or if I can be of any other help!

You certainly identified where I am at. I celebrated my 75th birthday yesterday. Thus, all of what you have explained is a new language to me. My provider is Verizon in which my monthly fee is $75.00 and the $100.0 monthly international plan was added last month in anticipation of my move to BA. Therefore, I am actually paying $175.00 a month which is why I was hesitant to add more phone fees. What does PM you mean? Apologies, in addition to my age, when I worked I had staff that took care of all technology for me. I miss them dearly. It is important to know from a "disability culture" perspective, parents of disabled children did not have the benefit of our children showing us technology like many of our peers whose children and grandchildren assisted with their transition into technology.

 

[obiwanderkenobi]

You certainly identified where I am at. I celebrated my 75th birthday yesterday. Thus, all of what you have explained is a new language to me. My provider is Verizon in which my monthly fee is $75.00 and the $100.0 monthly international plan was added last month in anticipation of my move to BA. Therefore, I am actually paying $175.00 a month which is why I was hesitant to add more phone fees. What does PM you mean? Apologies, in addition to my age, when I worked I had staff that took care of all technology for me. I miss them dearly. It is important to know from a "disability culture" perspective, parents of disabled children did not have the benefit of our children showing us technology like many of our peers whose children and grandchildren assisted with their transition into technology.

Happy (belated) birthday! I also had Verizon a year ago when I was last in the U.S., but dumped them the second I landed in Bogotá, and have survived six months there and six months here using Google Voice almost exclusively. For all intents and purposes it's been a seamless transition (and free). My family in the States can call me on my Google Voice number whenever they want and it rings wherever I am. I'd definitely give it a shot, and like I said, you can keep your Verizon number going until you're satisfied that you have a good replacement setup and you can still talk to your daughter as usual via Alexa.

PM is shorthand for "private message" - if you're on the website you should see an envelope icon in the upper right hand corner next to your username, and clicking on the envelope icon will take you to a page where you can start a private conversation. I'm not sure if there is a minimum time or posting requirement before it is visible to new users. Let me know if you don't see it and I can send you a PM and you should be able to see it and respond to it in your notifications.

For a couple of years, I worked on the weekends at a boarding school for teens with learning differences, including the entire autism spectrum, ODD, dyscalculia, dyslexia, and severe motor control issues. A couple of them had famous parents, including a hall of fame country singer and a nationally known sports commentator. Anyways, I know how difficult and intensive it was to work with these kids for just a couple days each weekend, so I can't imagine the struggle raising them to adulthood, and then also knowing that they likely won't be able to support you if/when the time comes. It definitely takes a saint.

I'm retired and don't have anything else to do (I mostly sit around all day playing video games, lol) so if you run into a roadblock I'm happy to help via PM, or we could meet at a coffee shop sometime and I could try and walk you through everything. I'm retired Army military police, not a scammer and don't need or want any money. Not sure how long you're planning to reside in BA, but if it's long-term, I'd be doing everything possible to save that $2,100 a year and put it in your pocket instead of Verizon's.

 

[Frank2000]

@JaneD here's my two cents. I want to preface it though by saying that I'm in my 30s and still fairly tech savvy, so I know that what may seem intuitive to me may be the complete opposite to others on this forum (I'm not asking and you don't have to say, lol). For example, it was only via this forum that I learned Vonage is apparently still a thing - for me that's a word that's about as quaint as hearing someone mention AOL or Y2K. I also say this knowing my parents (who are 60 and 70) would probably look at me like deer in headlights after reading this post.

Anyways, I understand that you have a disabled daughter who needs to reach you as easily as possible, and that's obviously more important than money, but....paying $100 a month just to keep a U.S. phone number is a really crazy concept for me to wrap my head around. I pay absolutely nothing, zero cents a month, and get all of my U.S. calls and texts here (including SMS and bank verification codes) with no issues whatsoever. Here's what I did:

1. Signed up for a free Google Voice number before I started traveling. You'll receive a new U.S. phone number and can generally choose whatever area code you prefer. You need an existing U.S. phone number to initially register, which is why I did this before leaving the States, but you can do it from here as well. Once you've completed registration you can dump your current number and use Google Voice's number exclusively. Google Voice is my primary and I use it for 99% of any calls I need to make or receive to/from the States.
2. Set up a backup account with a U.S. mobile app called "TextFree" - this will give you a second U.S. phone number. The cost is free and you don't lose your number as long as you use it at least once every 30 days. There are similar apps, but TextFree has worked very well for me.
3. Visit a local Claro store and ask for a tourist SIM. You'll need your passport and a credit card. The initial cost should be less than $10 and your first month will be included, most likely with a 20 or 25gb data package. There are other providers besides Claro if you prefer. You'll then have a local number you can use to sign up with MercadoLibre, Rappi, PedidosYa, etc.
4. After your first month with Claro, you can add "top-up" packages on their website. The cost for a monthly package is ridiculously cheap. For example, I just checked and it's 3.500 pesos for a monthly package which includes 15gb of data, unlimited Whatsapp and social media, and 1000 local minutes + 1000 local texts (which I never use because almost everyone here uses WhatsApp).
5. If you're not already on WhatsApp, you can use your new local phone number to create a new WhatsApp account.

Once this is all completed, you now have three ways people in the U.S. can call or message you for free:

1. They can call you or text you at your U.S. phone number that you created via Google Voice. My phone rings here just the same as it would back home. Google Voice works best while you're connected to WiFi, but will also work while you're connected to Claro's mobile network assuming you're in the city and not in some remote area that only has 2G or 3G towers.
2. Or they can call you or text you at your U.S. phone number that you created with TextFree.
3. Or they can create a WhatsApp account and call you or message you for free via WhatsApp.

Since it sounds like you currently have an existing U.S. phone number with a traditional carrier, I don't see any reason why you can't get a new number with Google Voice and program it into your daughter's Alexa. As long as you are on WiFi or have a good mobile signal with Claro, your phone should ring like it would for any other phone call. You can also program Google Voice to send you an email alert any time you have a missed call, as well as send you emails with transcripts of your incoming text messages and voicemails.

As far as banks and whatnot, I've had no issues getting verification codes from my various financial institutions. I bank with USAA, and have credit cards through Capital One, Citi, Discover, and a few others. I also get SMS verification codes just fine from other companies like Airbnb, Amazon, Uber, credit report providers, etc. I have all of my credit cards programmed to send me text alerts for every transaction attempt regardless of the amount, and those text alerts always come through on Google Voice within seconds of me making a purchase.

I get that you might be wary and cautious of trying anything new or different since already know your current set-up works for you and your daughter. But there shouldn't be any downside in exploring the alternatives and keeping your current U.S. number while you do so. Once everything's set up, you can try a few test calls and make sure you're happy with the call quality and everything. If everything works great, dump your current provider and you've got an extra $100 a month in your pocket. If not and you're not happy or satisfied with the alternatives, then keep your current setup for now and at most you've only lost $10 from the Claro SIM you purchased.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or if I can be of any other help!

Thanks for the clear and precise explanation Obi! I have a follow up question. You said you receive bank and credit card SMS through google voice. What is the usecase for TextFree? Is it just an alternative to google voice app? Can you still get SMS from your bank using TextFree?

 

[obiwanderkenobi]

Thanks for the clear and precise explanation Obi! I have a follow up question. You said you receive bank and credit card SMS through google voice. What is the usecase for TextFree? Is it just an alternative to google voice app? Can you still get SMS from your bank using TextFree?

Mainly redundancy. I keep both numbers on file with banks and whatnot, usually Google Voice as my mobile number and TextFree as my home number. Some institutions or some days one is better than the other for whatever reason.

For example, USAA allows me to receive emailed verification codes when logging into the website, but requires SMS when calling in via their phone system. Their phone system asks me to enter the last 4 digits of the phone number where I want to receive the SMS code. Textfree always works fine, but when I type the last 4 digits of my Google Voice number it takes me back to the main menu for some reason, lol.

Another example is Capital One - if you use a verification code option more than two or three times during the course of a day, it greys it out and you're forced to choose another option. There was also a week or two awhile back where I wasn't getting their codes via Google Voice for some reason, but Textfree continued to work fine.

I haven't had any issues yet between Google Voice and Textfree, but another app I've used in past for verification codes is called "Numero eSIM." With Numero you can purchase a subscription to a U.S. virtual phone number, or for a little more you can purchase a subscription to a U.S. "social media" phone number that's supposed allow you to receive SMS verification codes. Prices are in Euros and a 1-month subscription is €2.49 and a 1-year subscription is €12. I'll keep using the free options as long as they work, but if I ran into issues I would try Numero for a month and see if it still plays nice with financial institutions.

Aside from SMS, I have biometric (fingerprint) login enabled on as many apps as possible, which sometimes allows you to "skip" SMS verification altogether. Some institutions have other workarounds to bypass phone verification completely. For example, if I log into the Citi website on my computer using my username and password it usually wants to call me at my Google Voice number and make me listen to a Citi verification code. Alternatively, Citi displays a QR code on the desktop login screen, and I can open the Citi app on my phone, scan the QR code and my fingerprint in the Citi app, and it automatically logs me in on the desktop with no password or additional verification required.The Capital One website allows me the option to do push notifications to my phone instead of SMS, so I get a little pop-up on my phone asking me to confirm or deny the login attempt.

Setting up Google Authenticator (I use an app called 2FAS), can be useful. I have 20+ websites at the moment where I can generate verification codes if needed via 2FAS, including Paypal, Facebook, Amazon, Uber, and MercadoLibre.

Less widely supported and probably not necessary for the average person, but I also have two USB-C YubiKeys (one as a backup) that make life a lot easier on certain websites. For example, my YubiKeys work for anything Google related. I can log in to Google or Gmail on any computer using just my Yubikey and my 8-digit pin - nothing else is required, not even my regular Google password. The concept being that I'm in possession of something uniquely physical (the YubiKey), and something only I know (my YubiKey pin). Yubikey is supported by many U.S. government websites, and I use my Yubikey to bypass verification on the Social Security, VA, and CBP (Global Entry) websites. Any website that supports ID.me or Login.gov can be set up to use YubiKey for two-factor authentication.

I also use YubiKey in conjunction with my password manager (BitWarden). I have a different 20-25 character password for every website I use, all generated and stored in BitWarden. I honestly don't know or remember any of them as they're meant to be impossible to remember. If I need to log into Paypal or whatever else, I open Bitwarden, type my Bitwarden "master password," then insert my Yubikey and type my YubiKey pin. Only then do I have access to Bitwarden and can then copy and paste the unique Paypal password. I keep the Yubikeys in separate places, but in the off chance I were to lose both of them I have Bitwarden set up to accept Google Authenticator codes from 2FAS as well. In that scenario to access Bitwarden I would still need my Bitwarden master password, my password to unlock my phone, my fingerprint to open the 2FAS app on my phone, and then the six digit code from 2FAS to verify with Bitwarden.

Anyways, sorry, I know this a lot and I've never been known for my brevity. Hope this helps - feel free to ask me anything else here or via PM.

 

[Frank2000]

Mainly redundancy. I keep both numbers on file with banks and whatnot, usually Google Voice as my mobile number and TextFree as my home number. Some institutions or some days one is better than the other for whatever reason.

For example, USAA allows me to receive emailed verification codes when logging into the website, but requires SMS when calling in via their phone system. Their phone system asks me to enter the last 4 digits of the phone number where I want to receive the SMS code. Textfree always works fine, but when I type the last 4 digits of my Google Voice number it takes me back to the main menu for some reason, lol.

Another example is Capital One - if you use a verification code option more than two or three times during the course of a day, it greys it out and you're forced to choose another option. There was also a week or two awhile back where I wasn't getting their codes via Google Voice for some reason, but Textfree continued to work fine.

I haven't had any issues yet between Google Voice and Textfree, but another app I've used in past for verification codes is called "Numero eSIM." With Numero you can purchase a subscription to a U.S. virtual phone number, or for a little more you can purchase a subscription to a U.S. "social media" phone number that's supposed allow you to receive SMS verification codes. Prices are in Euros and a 1-month subscription is €2.49 and a 1-year subscription is €12. I'll keep using the free options as long as they work, but if I ran into issues I would try Numero for a month and see if it still plays nice with financial institutions.

Aside from SMS, I have biometric (fingerprint) login enabled on as many apps as possible, which sometimes allows you to "skip" SMS verification altogether. Some institutions have other workarounds to bypass phone verification completely. For example, if I log into the Citi website on my computer using my username and password it usually wants to call me at my Google Voice number and make me listen to a Citi verification code. Alternatively, Citi displays a QR code on the desktop login screen, and I can open the Citi app on my phone, scan the QR code and my fingerprint in the Citi app, and it automatically logs me in on the desktop with no password or additional verification required.The Capital One website allows me the option to do push notifications to my phone instead of SMS, so I get a little pop-up on my phone asking me to confirm or deny the login attempt.

Setting up Google Authenticator (I use an app called 2FAS), can be useful. I have 20+ websites at the moment where I can generate verification codes if needed via 2FAS, including Paypal, Facebook, Amazon, Uber, and MercadoLibre.

Less widely supported and probably not necessary for the average person, but I also have two USB-C YubiKeys (one as a backup) that make life a lot easier on certain websites. For example, my YubiKeys work for anything Google related. I can log in to Google or Gmail on any computer using just my Yubikey and my 8-digit pin - nothing else is required, not even my regular Google password. The concept being that I'm in possession of something uniquely physical (the YubiKey), and something only I know (my YubiKey pin). Yubikey is supported by many U.S. government websites, and I use my Yubikey to bypass verification on the Social Security, VA, and CBP (Global Entry) websites. Any website that supports ID.me or Login.gov can be set up to use YubiKey for two-factor authentication.

I also use YubiKey in conjunction with my password manager (BitWarden). I have a different 20-25 character password for every website I use, all generated and stored in BitWarden. I honestly don't know or remember any of them as they're meant to be impossible to remember. If I need to log into Paypal or whatever else, I open Bitwarden, type my Bitwarden "master password," then insert my Yubikey and type my YubiKey pin. Only then do I have access to Bitwarden and can then copy and paste the unique Paypal password. I keep the Yubikeys in separate places, but in the off chance I were to lose both of them I have Bitwarden set up to accept Google Authenticator codes from 2FAS as well. In that scenario to access Bitwarden I would still need my Bitwarden master password, my password to unlock my phone, my fingerprint to open the 2FAS app on my phone, and then the six digit code from 2FAS to verify with Bitwarden.

Anyways, sorry, I know this a lot and I've never been known for my brevity. Hope this helps - feel free to ask me anything else here or via PM.

Wow. Great information again. Thank you. This is a great way for us old timers to catch up with the newer technologies to make our lives better and/or more convenient. I made a note to explore Yubikey in the near future. In the meantime, using a VPN to utilize a US IP, I got google voice (using my brother's US phone number). Once I got a new US number, I tried SMS (still using the VPN just in case) and it works. The next step is to test it with a financial institution to make sure the number is accepted by it/them. Thanks again. I do use a password manager but not BitWarden. I am looking forward to finding out about newer/better technologies on this site.

 

[Alby]

I hope after all this work and detailed explanation about the phone thing, JaneD has a DNI and can actually join Mercado Libre...

 

[obiwanderkenobi]

I hope after all this work and detailed explanation about the phone thing, JaneD has a DNI and can actually join Mercado Libre...

I don't have a DNI and have used MercadoLibre 15 times in the past 6 months. I enter a fake DNI and have all of my orders shipped to a nearby kiosk for pickup. Pay with my U.S. Visa card.

 

[lostravenblue]

I don't have a DNI and have used MercadoLibre 15 times in the past 6 months. I enter a fake DNI and have all of my orders shipped to a nearby kiosk for pickup. Pay with my U.S. Visa card.

I did that, too, but they've started forcing me to show a photo of my ID for verification. I don't have a DNI, and so I've lost access to my account. Not sure how, or if I even could get it to stop.

EDIT: I also can't make a new account. They want a picture of a DNI card right from creation.

 

[obiwanderkenobi]

I did that, too, but they've started forcing me to show a photo of my ID for verification. I don't have a DNI, and so I've lost access to my account. Not sure how, or if I even could get it to stop.

EDIT: I also can't make a new account. They want a picture of a DNI card right from creation.

Strange - I just placed a new order today with no problems. I'll try creating a new account and see if the same thing happens on my end.

 

[AdrianB]

Strange - I just placed a new order today with no problems. I'll try creating a new account and see if the same thing happens on my end.

As many things in Argentina are, it is super random.