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It's unfortunate that they rejected my attempt to create an account because my phone number wasn't from one of their standard providers.

Same here, I have a Google Voice number and it rejected it. Pretty lame, it's not like I am going to be banking with them.

That sucks, I only have a Google Voice number.

Why do they require a phone number to begin with?

They give 50 free credits and then 15/month - it's probably to prevent abuse.