How to real-name register when abroad?

[Lu]

I feel like I should have figured this out long ago, but I haven't.

 

I want to join a particular Wechat group, but to join I have to 实名认证 through a Chinese bank account and/or a Chinese phone number, and I don't know how to resolve this.

 

I have been using Wechat since 2011 or so. The number I used when I first downloaded it is no longer mine (interestingly, it is probably still in use, by someone working for the organisation I used to work for). The number was never registered to my name (to my knowledge). I never have had to real-name register my Wechat before. I now don't have a Chinese phone number, only a Dutch one.

 

I have a Chinese bank account, I still have the bank card and I know which office I opened the account at. That office still exists. There is even a little money in that bank account. But I forgot the PIN and I don't know which phone number that bank has of me (not my current Dutch number, in any case). I still have the passport I used to open the account and the passport I got afterwards and that I then registered to the account. Both passports are no longer valid, but I have them (with holes punched into them that show they are invalid). I tried using my Dutch bank account number, but that doesn't work at all.

Does anyone know whether this can be resolved? If so, from what end should I start?

 

A nice Chinese person who invited me to join said group looked up the phone numbers of the bank for me. He said I could use his phone number if I wanted, he could then send the code I needed on to me. Although I'm pretty sure it's all legitimate (the Wechat group certainly is and I think the guy is too), this does not seem the best idea. Also I doubt the bank is the right starting point in handling this. I have another friend in China whom I do know personally and trust, I could ask her for help as well if whatever I need to do is not too much work.

 

Any insights are much appreciated!

[Lu]

Nobody knows a solution? Hm... So, do people here just not real-name register and don't miss it, or do you real-name register while in China, or something else?

[Lu]

I have resolved the issue in-country. Fortunately I had a trip to China coming up anyway.

 

I bought a Chinese phone number at the airport (needed this anyway). Went to the bank with my three passports (two old ones and the current one), my bank card and my new phone number. It took an hour and a half to change the passport, the phone number and my PIN (which I had forgotten). By that time the higher-ups in the bank were concerned it really was still me, but fortunately it was. I still have a little money in that bank account, I have another week left here to decide whether to take it out or leave it in to use on Weixin.

 

I attached the phone number to my Weixin account. This was not difficult, but unfortunately it was not enough for real-name registration. I don't know if I did something wrong or it's just not enough.

 

I then added my bank card to my Weixin account. This worked. I received a few text messages with codes to verify that it was really me and my phone and my bank account. Fortunately, it still was really me, and then I was a verified user and I could finally join the big group I so badly wanted to join.

 

Writing this update in case someone else ever has the same issue. It appears that coming to China is the only real solution.