Using credit cards overseas....security check texts to cellphone making things hard?

My son is about to go to Asia for a few months including  Korea where he has spent time in the past.
He will be extending his acommodation, booking more flights etc whilst he is abroad and paying with his credit cards.
It was usually a requirement to tell your credit card provider before travelling but they don't seem to require that now, they seem to want to verify by sending a message or code to the cellphone registered to the account?
He is concerned that this may not be possible without incuring big roaming charges, there doesnt seem to be a simple solotion unless anyone knows better?
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  • penners324
    penners324 Posts: 3,484 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Only for online payments.

    Or get a credit or debit card where it can be done in app.

    Only use WiFi
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
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    edited 30 March 2022 at 3:03PM
    I'm not aware of any UK network that charges for incoming text messages when roaming.

    Why would he incur big roaming charges? 
  • O2 have no roaming charges I believe...........just an observation.

  • northwalesd
    northwalesd Posts: 1,300 Forumite
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    O2 have no roaming charges I believe...........just an observation.

    Pretty sure they have roaming charges in Asia, where the OP's son is going.
  • Brie
    Brie Posts: 14,252 Ambassador
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    He may want to take a pin sentry as well.  I got caught out on trying to do some banking 2 years back when I was last in Canada.  Couldn't get online as the system was sending the pin code to the sentry I'd left on my desk in the UK.  Tried emailing the bank who just kept telling me to log into my account to send secure messages which of course I couldn't do as I didn't have a pin sentry with me...... 
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  • O2 have no roaming charges I believe...........just an observation.

    Pretty sure they have roaming charges in Asia, where the OP's son is going.
    Thanks for clarification.

  • I had one in 2018 in Spain, Halifax just sent a text to the phone about a single product authorisation (Uber journey to the airport).

    In a well connected place like Korea I highly doubt he'd have any issues though I wouldn't be on unsecured public wifi
  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,835 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    There are never any charges for incoming text messages, using any mobile network and roaming anywhere globally. So receiving OTP codes by text will cost nothing.
    Evolution, not revolution
  • eDicky said:
    There are never any charges for incoming text messages, using any mobile network and roaming anywhere globally. So receiving OTP codes by text will cost nothing.

    The above is wrong, I’ve certainly been charged for receiving text messages abroad.
  • gt94sss2
    gt94sss2 Posts: 6,013 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 8 April 2022 at 5:27PM
    Receiving texts overseas should not be an issue.

    Some banks, however, now want you to use their app to approve payments which could be an issue if you don't have data/free WiFi available.

    This will only really be an issue with online transactions not those in person.

    I strongly suggest that the OPs son gets some f/x free debit and credit cards (at least 2) to take with them
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