topic Re: Weird Error with Steam in Get Support

Weird Error with Steam

StaticXCC — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 21:02:52 GMT

Hello,

I am trying to use my phone number for 2FA with the Steam gaming service. However it kicks back an error saying my number is a VoIP number and thus they can't use it. But... it's on Public Mobile. It not a VoIP number. What is going on?

Re: Weird Error with Steam

will13am — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:13:17 GMT

That is strange. Maybe contact steam and have them white list the number.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

StaticXCC — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:29:09 GMT

@will13amwrote:
That is strange. Maybe contact steam and have them white list the number.

There is no option to submit a ticket to steam on this subject. Steam support is... shall we say... infamous with its badness.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

srlawren — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 20:29:34 GMT

@StaticXCC you're not the first to experience this issue:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/Re-KMM59181153V75295L0KM-Still-Unresolved-Since-December-15-2016/m-p/139406

Did you maybe previously use this phone number with a VoIP provider?

Re: Weird Error with Steam

StaticXCC — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 22:30:37 GMT

@srlawrenwrote:
@StaticXCC you're not the first to experience this issue:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/Re-KMM59181153V75295L0KM-Still-Unresolved-Since-December-15-2016/m-p/139406

Did you maybe previously use this phone number with a VoIP provider?

Somehow, my searches didn't bring that thread up.

Yes, at one point it was VoIP, but I ported it to PM. Dear lord, it looks like I'm about to go into a pit of despair and futility if that thread is any indication.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

Luddite — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 23:31:38 GMT

@StaticXCCwrote:
@srlawrenwrote:
StaticXCC you're not the first to experience this issue:
https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/Re-KMM59181153V75295L0KM-Still-Unresolved-Since-December-15-2016/m-p/139406
Did you maybe previously use this phone number with a VoIP provider?

Somehow, my searches didn't bring that thread up.

Yes, at one point it was VoIP, but I ported it to PM. Dear lord, it looks like I'm about to go into a pit of despair and futility if that thread is any indication.

A thought: login to your VOIP account and see if your phone number is still listed. If it is contact them to find out how to clear it out. If not, follow up with the moderators to see if a "redo" of your port might help.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

StaticXCC — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 23:48:08 GMT

@Ludditewrote:
@StaticXCCwrote:
@srlawrenwrote:
StaticXCC you're not the first to experience this issue:
https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/Re-KMM59181153V75295L0KM-Still-Unresolved-Since-December-15-2016/m-p/139406
Did you maybe previously use this phone number with a VoIP provider?

Somehow, my searches didn't bring that thread up.

Yes, at one point it was VoIP, but I ported it to PM. Dear lord, it looks like I'm about to go into a pit of despair and futility if that thread is any indication.
A thought: login to your VOIP account and see if your phone number is still listed. If it is contact them to find out how to clear it out. If not, follow up with the moderators to see if a "redo" of your port might help.

Can't login or do a forgot password on the number, their login says invalid number/account. I've asked Line2 to comb through their records with a fine tooth comb to make sure they aren't doing anything to advertise this is a VoIP number. There was no listed resolution to the earlier linked thread... I will keep this updated until I either successfully solve this issue, or give up.I'm pretty stubborn though, so I'll likely get it fixed or get officially roadblocked. I'd rather provide a path for others to follow though if a resolution may be found.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

Korth — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 02:15:43 GMT

Maybe change your phone number, lol.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

srlawren — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 02:49:21 GMT

@srlawrenwrote:
@StaticXCC you're not the first to experience this issue:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/Re-KMM59181153V75295L0KM-Still-Unresolved-Since-December-15-2016/m-p/139406

Did you maybe previously use this phone number with a VoIP provider?

@beehjae did you ever get your Steam issue resolved?

Re: Weird Error with Steam

will13am — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 03:01:25 GMT

@StaticXCC, use this site to do a carrier lookup for your number.

https://www.textmagic.com/free-tools/carrier-lookup?phone=4169882829&country=CA

Re: Weird Error with Steam

beehjae — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 03:15:04 GMT

Hi srlawren,

I checked this again with Steam. After a year of "trying", tonight, it went through. The number got accepted.

Battle.net remains unresolved though.

Kind Regards,
Beehjae

Re: Weird Error with Steam

StaticXCC — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 19:42:28 GMT

@will13am wrote:
@StaticXCC, use this site to do a carrier lookup for your number.

https://www.textmagic.com/free-tools/carrier-lookup?phone=4169882829&country=CA

Phone number entered:	XXXXXXXXXXXX
Country:	CA (Canada)
Phone type:	mobile
Timezones:	Pacific Standard
Carrier name:	Telus Communications Inc.
Mobile country code:	XXX
Mobile network code:	XXX

Changed a few things with an X as it looked like Personally Identifiable Info.

UPDATE: I received a response back from Line2 as follows:

Hi XXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting Line2 Support!

I am sorry you are running into this issue with your XXX-XXX-XXXX number still showing as a VoIP number.

We have had our porting department review and release the number. This should have the reported issue resolved.

Please feel free to reopen this ticket if you have further questions.

Best Regards,
XXXXXX
Line2 Support

I tried to change my number again on Steam, same result. I figure that if Line2 did in fact make a change as they said they did, it'll take some time to propagate over the major carrier networks. I've asked for an estimated time for completion on that. Will let you know their response.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

srlawren — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 21:24:46 GMT

@StaticXCC sounds like progress!

Re: Weird Error with Steam

StaticXCC — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 20:09:35 GMT

Tried again today, failure, same VoIP error.

-----------------------------------

Line 2 Response

XXXXX, Apr 6, 2:05 PM PDT:

Hi XXXXX,

Thank you for getting back to me.

Updates on removing the number from our inventory should take effect within 24-48 hours.

If you are still having trouble with after that period, please see https://freecarrierlookup.com/ > enter the number and confirm the carrier listed. You may then need to contact the listed carrier for more information as we would have then completely cleared the number and have no further ties/control.

Best Regards,
XXXXXX
Line2 Support

----------------

Using the lookup tool Line2 asked me to check with, it all says Telus Telus etc etc. Nothing hinting at VoIP. I suppose it is Public Mobile's turn to look into this issue?

Re: Weird Error with Steam

Korth — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:07:35 GMT

@Korth wrote:
Maybe change your phone number, lol.

I think I should expand on what I meant by this.

You could of course change your Public Mobile phone number any time through your Self-Serve. No cost (free). No hassle (aside from perhaps a few hours or a day of interrupted phone service, along with a restart).

But of course you'd then have to inform all your contacts of your new phone number, which is a hassle. And your old phone number would likely be lost forever.

But there's an alternative. You only need this phone number for what amounts to being a one-time 2FA. So use somebody else's phone and phone number (with their permission!) for this purpose - spouse, friend, family, whatever. Once you've passed Steam's account authentication you can login to the account and change details (like phone number) as needed.

No need to try taking down the castle walls when you can just enter a side door.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

srlawren — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:33:40 GMT

@Korth ~~or use Fongo to receive texts for free~~

Re: Weird Error with Steam

Korth — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:26:08 GMT

@srlawren wrote:
...or use Fongo to receive texts for free

Would an app like Fongo (or Hangouts, WhatsApp, etc) mask your phone number?

Re: Weird Error with Steam

srlawren — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:33:17 GMT

@Korth you get a separate Fongo number. So in Steam (or whatever service you want to use SMS-based 2FA with), you enter your Fongo number instead of your PM number. Oh wait but nevermind the issue here is that Steam doesn't like VoIP numbers. OMG I forgot that part. Haha oops.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

StaticXCC — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 18:09:35 GMT

@Korth wrote:

But there's an alternative. You only need this phone number for what amounts to being a one-time 2FA. So use somebody else's phone and phone number (with their permission!) for this purpose - spouse, friend, family, whatever. Once you've passed Steam's account authentication you can login to the account and change details (like phone number) as needed.
No need to try taking down the castle walls when you can just enter a side door.

Korth,

Not to be rude, but as somebody that works in IT, and side job involves IT security, this is a massive security risk that you are proposing. When it comes to your online accounts, never ever ever give your account info or keys to the kingdom to other people. EVER. Giving other people access to your accounts in this manner is giving up control. Giving up control to others is one of the top ways people get bitten by security problems... even among people they know and trust. Don't do it.

Side note, ticket has been submitted to the mod team.

Re: Weird Error with Steam

Korth — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 01:15:59 GMT

@StaticXCC

I'm well aware of the risk to personal security. You could say I'm a little bit of a hacker and tinfoil hat kinda guy myself.

I was suggesting workarounds for uncooperative Steam 2FA, and not suggesting using an acquaintance's phone as much as a phone from someone you can trust - your spouse, mom, whatever. I realize Steam accounts are precious to many people, but they don't seem especially critical to many others (especially if they don't work!). And, again, the first thing you should do when you're able to login (after successful 2FA, and on a device you control) is change your account settings, phone number, password, etc.

My first suggestion above was the simplest - change your phone number. Or complain to Steam/Valve, although apparently that realistically doesn't accomplish much.