Are virtual phone numbers accepted by Wise when linking bank accounts?

Wise typically does not accept virtual phone numbers for bank account linking due to strict regulatory and security requirements, favoring real mobile numbers instead.

Wise phone verification policies

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a leading global financial technology company specializing in international money transfers and multi-currency accounts. Due to the sensitive nature of financial operations, Wise enforces strict verification policies, including phone number verification, to comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.

Phone number verification helps Wise ensure that each user is uniquely identifiable and reduces the risk of fraudulent accounts or money laundering. This is why Wise prefers mobile numbers that are tied to physical SIM cards issued by recognized telecommunications providers.

What are virtual phone numbers?

Virtual phone numbers are telephone numbers not directly associated with a physical SIM card or traditional phone line. Instead, they are hosted in the cloud and can be used to receive SMS messages and calls via apps or dashboards.

They are widely used for SMS verification, business call forwarding, privacy protection, and automated testing. Providers like SMSVerifier offer virtual numbers for hundreds of services worldwide, making them popular for developers and users who want to quickly receive OTP codes without exposing personal numbers.

Wise and virtual phone numbers: acceptance criteria

Wise explicitly discourages the use of virtual phone numbers for account verification and bank account linking. Their automated systems commonly flag virtual numbers because:

• Virtual numbers are often used for throwaway or fraudulent accounts.
• They are disconnected from traditional telecom verification and regulatory oversight.
• They allow easier circumvention of identity verification protocols.

As a result, Wise’s verification process may reject virtual numbers outright or prompt manual review, which usually leads to denial of account linking until a real mobile number is provided.

Using SMSVerifier numbers with Wise

SMSVerifier provides access to thousands of virtual phone numbers globally, enabling receipt of SMS codes for many online services. However, Wise’s restrictive policies mean virtual numbers from SMSVerifier are generally not accepted for primary phone verification or bank account linking.

That said, SMSVerifier numbers can be useful in certain contexts:

• Testing Wise account flows internally during development without actual account creation.
• Verifying secondary services or linked applications where Wise allows more lenient number types.
• Temporarily receiving OTPs if you already have a verified primary phone number.

Alternatives if Wise rejects virtual numbers

If Wise does not accept your virtual phone number, consider these alternatives:

• Use a personal mobile number: This is the most reliable way to pass Wise’s verification.
• Trusted VoIP providers with SIM cards: Some providers issue SIM cards with phone numbers that may be accepted, but verify first.
• Local numbers from your country: Numbers issued by local carriers are almost always accepted.

Frequently asked questions