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A new online security standard
Two-step verification, also referred to as multi-factor authentication, is an online security measure to further help protect your account and other personal information. It's a second layer of defence, after your password.
The use of verification codes makes two-step verification more secure. To help prevent unauthorized access to your account, you'll need to confirm your identity with a verification code. This will only occur when necessary, e.g. you're in a different city.
How two-step verification protects you
Sign in to your user ID or account as usual. Only when we need to confirm your identity, you'll be asked for a verification code.
Your verification code is sent to a phone number that you chose. Simply enter your verification code.
Quick and easy setup
Sign in to your BMO InvestorLine user ID or account
Click on Account Services and go the Security Settings page
In the Two-step verification section, add up to 10 phone numbers that you can receive text or voice message
Tip — For added convenience, sign in with your user ID and you can set up some or all of your accounts for two-step verification at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
What's a verification code?
It's a random one-time set of numbers sent by text or voice message to a phone number that you've added to your user ID or account, and is used to help authenticate you.
Will I always need to enter a verification code?
You'll only be asked to enter a verification code when we need to verify your identity, which can be for various reasons including you're signing in with a device that you haven't signed in from before, you're outside of your usual vicinity, etc.
Tip — To reduce your chances of being asked for a verification code, in your profile, you may want to add your device as a trusted device, which is a computer or mobile device that you consider safe and secure to access your investing account.
Can I have more than one phone number added to my contacts list?
Yes, you can add up to 10 phone numbers on your contacts list. The numbers can be in Canada, the U.S. or an international country.
Tip — When you set up your two-step verification, add all the phone numbers that you use frequently, e.g. home, office, etc. This will let you quickly choose an alternative phone number if we need to verify your identity and you don't have access to your main contact number.
Is there a cost to set this up?
There's no cost to set up your two-step verification. To receive your verification code, message or data rates from your service provider may apply.
What about challenge questions?
Challenge questions are being replaced by two-step verification, a more advanced online security feature. If you already have challenge questions set up, they'll be used to confirm your identity until you've set up two-step verification. If haven't set up challenge questions or have recently opened a BMO InvestorLine account, you'll just be required to set up your two-step verification.
What if I'm travelling?
As long as you can receive text or voice messages on one of the phone numbers that you've added to your two-step verification contacts list, you'll be able to access your account as usual. Otherwise you'll be prompted to call us for a verification code.
Tip — Before you travel, verify or add phone numbers to your two-step verification contacts list to minimize disruptions to the access of your account. You can have up to 10 phone numbers on your contacts list. The numbers can be in Canada, the U.S. or an international country.
What if I lose my phone, change phone numbers or don't have access to the numbers that I've added to my two-step verification contacts list?
You can get a verification code by contacting us toll free at 1-888-776-6886 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday. Outside Canada and the Continental U.S., call 1-416-281-5400.
Tip — Periodically review the phone numbers on your two-step verification contacts list to ensure that they're still valid, especially before you go out of town.