To verify your identity online, without the assistance of a Trusted Referee, we use the physical possession of a phone in your name to verify that you are you—and not a fraudster pretending to be you.

Keep the following considerations in mind when selecting and submitting a phone number:

Use a phone number whose account is in your name.

To verify your identity using your phone, we need a phone number and/or account that is in your name – not a family member’s name. Landlines are OK, too.

Use a number that is not voice-over-IP.

For security reasons, we cannot use voice-over IP phone numbers.  If you are using a prepaid phone, it must be registered with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint. 

Open the verification link on the device it was sent to.

If you received a link via text message, it must be opened on the phone it was sent to. 

If you are unable to successfully verify your phone number after several attempts, look for a Verify identity on a video call button.