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 don't have a phone number like this, it's OK. If you are still unable to successfully verify your phone number after several attempts, look for a Verify identity on a video call button like the one below to verify your identity with a Trusted Referee.
NOTE: If your phone is not a smartphone, select Home Phone or Cell Phone without a Web Browser on the screen below.
