MyBell and Bell Email MFA/2FA access

[StevieB]

 I understand the need to implement login verification on the web.  All good.  However it completely baffles me that your system requires a successful text-based authentication to my Bell mobile phone, and then immediately requires an additional e-mail based verification.  This is ridiculous, useless, and a waste a time.  Not even my bank makes me jump through that many hoops for a simple login.   Once again Bell you are demonstrating you are more interested in showing off and spinning your wheels just for the sake of it, rather than focusing on the actual customer experience.  I login to my Bell account often, and this has become such a source of irritation that I'm considering switching to Rogers.  So, my question is, can you setup my account so that I'm not forced to double verify myself when I log in!!??

[Psych_1967]

@dks I hear you but I don't think this is a helpful response-if many customers are struggling with MFA (for one reason or another) Bell *can* consider alternatives if they wanted to. It is not the law, to have in place MFA. It is for the customer's protection and security against scammers, so they say. 

I maintain that it should be the customer's choice as to whether they want to have this level of protection. Bell customers are at risk of fraud/scammers each and every day, by the sheer # of emails they receive pretending to be, or representing a company they have no affiliation with. And so we, the customers, are left to our own devices in other areas, to protect ourselves. I believe we should also have the *choice* to opt in or out of MFA. It *can* be done, if Bell listened to their customers. We're not saying do away with it 100%. We are simply saying-give us the *choice*. 

As a start, every single one of us who is struggling with MFA-for whatever reason, should raise the issue with Bell Customer Service, and if unsatisfied with their response, escalate it to Bell Management (see below).

It's one thing to vent on this forum-which can be very helpful just to know that we are not alone, but to actually see any change, we *must* speak to those who have the power to do something about it. 

I am kindly requesting that you all take 10 minutes out of your day (when convenient) to phone Bell Canada Customer Support and explain why the MFA is causing you problems. If we work together as a group to effect change, we have a much better chance of seeing change. 🙏  

 

[Psych_1967]

@dks this is really good to know, but unfortunately, for some older customers who struggle with *change* (any change) due to cognitive difficulties, this isn't an option. But it most certainly *is* an option for those customers who are able to navigate a new email client. 

[dks]

That is very surprising. I use Outlook 2024 Click to Run on several Windows computers as well as iOS Mail on several Apple devices. At no time have I ever been asked to verify my account using 2FA on any of those computers. I am asked to use 2FA if I sign in in to the MyBell web page. Bell keeps asking for me to use 2FA on their web mail client, but I have declined. 

[dks]

I understand your concern. At the same time, all institutions (financial, telecom, even food stores) and their customers are victims of fraud, often by identity theft, password insecurity and more. It's a difficult choice, but one we are all having to deal with it.  

[Psych_1967]

Yes, I hear you. I have been a victim of ID fraud in the past.  But at the end of the day, I do believe it should be the customer's choice. It isn't as if there isn't any security information provided-the Bell email customer *is* providing their email address and password. It's the complexity of the added layer of security that is simply unmanageable for people with cognitive decline, and I hate to say it, but companies like Bell, and others you mention, are just not considering the needs of this group of people.   

[dks]

While I understand your perspective, providers of services through the internet have a responsibility to their customers to prevent theft and fraud. From a liability perspective, 2FA makes sense. That is what it has come down to. 

[Michelle48]

Hello, how do you remove the mfa from your email account? I fully understand having extra security but to enter every time I try to access my email on the same computer I was on five minutes earlier is frustrating. It took four codes to sign in today even though I used the correct code. It’s to the point I’m seriously considering leaving bell because it’s so frustrating. Thanks 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Thank you for reaching out and posting your question and raising your concern.

This is a community web site. As such, there is little we can do to change the security requirements as set out by Bell.

To enhance the security of account and personal information, all Bell customers are required to use MFA. You cannot opt out. There is no workaround if you are going to access your email with any web browser. There are alternative solutions that will solve your authentication issue.

Have you considered accessing your email account by way of a different method? Email client, application, etc. There are any number of very good reliable and free programs & applications built into computers, devices & tablets that will eliminate the need for you to enter an  MFA code when checking, sending or receiving an email. E.g. Outlook, Apple mail, GMail, etc. 

I have included a couple of web links that may be of assistance:

Multi-factor authentication for MyBell : What is multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

Setting up Bell email : Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Let us know if we can of further assistance.

Take care.

[Michelle48]

Hi, thanks for your response. I have not heard about these programs and apps. I will definitely be looking into them. Much appreciated. 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day @Michelle48  

Thank you for your response. I will assume you are accessing your email with a web browser. What device are you using to access your Bell webmail?  E.g. computer, tablet or mobile phone, etc.

Most operating systems today include a free email client or application.

For example only:

1. A computer with Windows10/11 as the OS, includes Outlook. If you prefer something else, then you can install Gmail or another app and setup your Bell email on these applications.
2. If you are using an Apple computer, tablet or mobile device, there is a free mail program included: Apple Mail. If you prefer something different you can install Gmail, Outlook, etc.
3. If you are a Samsung mobile device or tablet, they provide a Samsung Email app. if you prefer something different you can install Gmail, Outlook, etc.
4. Etc. etc.

Take care.

[Morley1]

Bell just e-mailed me my bill for June.  I tried to see it by getting the verification number and inserting into the space

provided on the site.  I cannot do it.  The original part of where to place the verification number does not appear.  I tried it numerous times.  I had someone who  is more qualified than I and they could not do it either.  There seems to

be some missing link that it does not work.   Mike

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Thank you for contacting he Bell Community Forum. We would like to help you out.

Could you please provide us some additional information? How are you accessing your Bell email? Are you using a web browser, email client, app, etc.

Have you tried to login to your MyBell account to view your bill with a web browser? Have you set up MFA security?

Please explain the steps you have taken. Have you received any error messages? We need to know at what point precisely that you are encountering a problem. I have included the following to assist in answering some of your questions,

Setting up Bell email : Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication for MyBell : What is multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

Please advise.

Take care.

[Oscarweenie1]

Good Day, someone please tell me why we have to do the verification process to access emails? Really dumb process. Especially when I am travelling and want to check/send emails, going in and out and copying code and going back is ridiculous to say the least. I can't be the only one!  Should be able to verify right on the Bell email screen with the sign-in, am I missing something, am I wrong, so weird and unnecessarily time consuming?

[lgm]

What are your plans for seniors like my parents who have no secondary email or a cell phone - they will now be 100% dependent on their children who have those required items to access their own personal emails they have had for years.  Doesn't that contradict the purpose of having the secondary level of security if they need someone else to give them the code?  What if we are not available due to work or are out of the area/not on our phone to access the codes? 

There must be an option to opt out of this MFA program for this demographic.  They are paying for a service they can't access!

Looking forward to a speedy solution.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

This is a peer-to-peer website. As such, policy decisions such as this cannot be changed on this website.

 MFA is not optional. MFA was a business decision made by Bell to protect all of us.

In today's world, there are numerous fraudsters & scammers masking their identify & falsifying who they are and the company they represent. They are contacting you directly & indirectly with every method at their disposal.

MFA was introduced to provide another layer of protection. It is for this reason only there is no option available to turn off MFA.

I wish I could do something more to assist you in resolving this issue.

Service provider impersonation scam - Bell

Multi-factor authentication for MyBell : What is multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

Your feedback is very important & is an intricate ingredient needed with change.

Thank you for reaching out to the community forum.

Take care.