OTP messages not received

[Richyricho]

Hi all.

I would have posted this in either Telkom/Cell C, not sure where it fits now.

So in December I lost the ability to receive OTP messages. I was using a Telkom sim card, which had been ported years ago from Cell C.

I contacted Telkoms customer care, who told me they don't deal with anything technical related over the phone, I would have to go into a store. So I went to the store, they checked my routing was correct, then tried a sim swap. Still not working.

So I thought maybe porting back to Cell C might help.
I put in the porting request with a new Cell C sim card, but to complete a port, you need to receive an OTP and SMS it back to the porting number.
I never received the OTP.

After telling the gentleman at Cell C that the OTP isn't/won't come through, they pushed it through without it.
When calling Cell C to explain this, they are adamant that the port can not have gone through without the OTP, so OTPs must be working. (I think I found the guy that does the illegal sim swaps when they empty your bank account )
Now that I am on Cell C, I still do not receive OTPs.

I called Cell C now for them to try and help. They gave me 2 number to dial to try and fix this, #33*1234*16# & #35*1234*16# which removes call/SMS barring. Still no luck.

When searching on Google if there were any other codes I could try, I came across the below thread, with the gentleman having the same type of issue.

Telkom! A telecom to avoid

This is a 5-minute read. I almost became a Telkom customer! Even though I suffered from Cell C's speeds and network unavailability during load-shedding, I still kept going with them because they were affordable (though almost not anymore after the current raise in HCF's plans and competitors...

mybroadband.co.za

I have tried putting the sim into 2 different phones, but don't receive the OTP on there either.
Cell C is adamant that if the 2 codes didn't work, I must send my phone back to the manufacturer
On the 2nd sim in the same phone, I can receive OTPs without issue

So to wrap up my story, does anyone have any advice or a contact somewhere that can help me with this? I really don't want to lose my number.

 

[Kosmik]

You sure you not on a DNC list? Most sms providers respect DNC so if its a good developer, they are.

 

[DStvNothingOn]

You sure you not on a DNC list? Most sms providers respect DNC so if its a good developer, they are.

The DNC list has definitely stopped me getting OTPs.
That been said I do like the DNC list stopping the spam.

 

[Richyricho]

I am on https://www.nationaloptout.org/ but I've been on there for years without any issues.
I even have the second number (MTN) on the same profile, but that Sim can receive OTPs.

I will definitely try removing it and see what happens though, thank you very much!

 

[mr_norris]

Who is the OTP from? A bank?

I ask because you will get more joy complaining to them if it is a bank.

 

[Grubscrew]

Who is the OTP from? A bank?

I ask because you will get more joy complaining to them if it is a bank.

this

 

[Richyricho]

this

Who is the OTP from? A bank?

I ask because you will get more joy complaining to them if it is a bank.

Unfortunately not from a bank, but multiple other outlets, such as the cellphone networks(when doing porting) Facebook, Instagram, Xiaomi, Ubisoft, Twitch.

 

[Ma’bad]

Unfortunately not from a bank, but multiple other outlets, such as the cellphone networks(when doing porting) Facebook, Instagram, Xiaomi, Ubisoft, Twitch.

Consider using Google Authenticator instead of OTP for configuring these services; it may not be a definitive solution, but it could act as a temporary workaround for your problem For services that offer it.