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The lesson I learned is that Google Voice numbers can be taken away from you and somehow Google seems unable to restore them. So don't use them for 2-factor au

The lesson I learned is that Google Voice numbers can be taken away from you and somehow Google seems unable to restore them. So don't use them for 2-factor authentication anywhere. I've got bitcoin that I haven't had access to because Project Fi won't give me my number back.

lern_too_spel 9y ago
https://www.fcc.gov/general/wireless-local-number-portability-wlnp https://www.fcc.gov/general/wireless-local-number-portabilit...
- pfranz 9y ago
  Regardless of what that page says, it's been common knowledge that people have lost their number when trying to port it out of Google Voice. It's interesting to see it's still an issue and applies to Project Fi as well. My Google Voice account is older than 7 years. I specifically remember choosing to get a new number instead of porting my number to Google Voice because of the stories about people unable to port it out. I haven't heard of any court action, but if your number is already reassigned to someone what's your recourse?
  - sliken 9y ago
    The people I've heard that lost their google voice number, cancelled. FCC guarantees you can keep your number if you migrate, it says nothing about cancelling service.
    - wybiral 9y ago
      Project Fi gives you, in their own words a "contract-free plan". It isn't supposed to be some kind of year-long service or something.
    - lern_too_spel 9y ago
      Exactly. This is no different from any other telephone service provider. HN should not be a support forum for people who don't know how to use their ISP or phone carrier.
  - lern_too_spel 9y ago
    The number wasn't already reassigned.
danielsju6 9y ago
From the Canceling Fi support page: "Google Voice’s number availability changes often, so even if your number was on Google Voice before, it can’t always be transferred back. If you’d still like to keep your number, we recommend transferring it to another carrier that supports it." -- https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6079398?hl=en https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6079398?hl=en
jklein11 9y ago
Have you tried calling the number and talking to the person on the other end?
winter_blue 9y ago
> So don't use them for 2-factor authentication anywhere. I use multiple forms of 2-factor auth, so if I lose my phone, I can still access my accounts. I use: * Five (5) physical U2F keys – which can authenticate you into Google on Chrome. The keys are spread out between home, office, trusted family members, and elsewhere; so if I lose one key, I still have other(s) to fall back upon. * Backup codes (stored in a safe place) * Phone (Google Authenticator app + voice + SMS)
scrollaway 9y ago
> So don't use them for 2-factor authentication anywhere. Don't use phone based 2FA if you can avoid it. TOTP is always better.

lern_too_spel 9y ago

https://www.fcc.gov/general/wireless-local-number-portability-wlnp https://www.fcc.gov/general/wireless-local-number-portabilit...

pfranz 9y ago
Regardless of what that page says, it's been common knowledge that people have lost their number when trying to port it out of Google Voice. It's interesting to see it's still an issue and applies to Project Fi as well. My Google Voice account is older than 7 years. I specifically remember choosing to get a new number instead of porting my number to Google Voice because of the stories about people unable to port it out. I haven't heard of any court action, but if your number is already reassigned to someone what's your recourse?
- sliken 9y ago
  The people I've heard that lost their google voice number, cancelled. FCC guarantees you can keep your number if you migrate, it says nothing about cancelling service.
  - wybiral 9y ago
    Project Fi gives you, in their own words a "contract-free plan". It isn't supposed to be some kind of year-long service or something.
  - lern_too_spel 9y ago
    Exactly. This is no different from any other telephone service provider. HN should not be a support forum for people who don't know how to use their ISP or phone carrier.
- lern_too_spel 9y ago
  The number wasn't already reassigned.

danielsju6 9y ago

From the Canceling Fi support page: "Google Voice’s number availability changes often, so even if your number was on Google Voice before, it can’t always be transferred back. If you’d still like to keep your number, we recommend transferring it to another carrier that supports it." -- https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6079398?hl=en https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6079398?hl=en

jklein11 9y ago

Have you tried calling the number and talking to the person on the other end?

winter_blue 9y ago

> So don't use them for 2-factor authentication anywhere. I use multiple forms of 2-factor auth, so if I lose my phone, I can still access my accounts. I use: * Five (5) physical U2F keys – which can authenticate you into Google on Chrome. The keys are spread out between home, office, trusted family members, and elsewhere; so if I lose one key, I still have other(s) to fall back upon. * Backup codes (stored in a safe place) * Phone (Google Authenticator app + voice + SMS)

scrollaway 9y ago

> So don't use them for 2-factor authentication anywhere. Don't use phone based 2FA if you can avoid it. TOTP is always better.