I had to get a new phone. Before I had the new phone, I tried to log into my phone account and figure out what my options were. My phone carrier wanted me to verify myself by typing in the number they just texted me. Except, the whole reason I needed a new phone was because I did not have the old phone.
I called, from a different number obviously. And I was told that I would need to go to a store. Now, I get why having the phone was one part of the verification, I was just a little surprised that they didn't have another option. Even on the website, if you clicked the option to report a lost or stolen phone, it asked you to type in the number they texted to your device.
My phone carrier has my email and my address, but none of those were options. When I went to the store, they verified my ID. So, yes, it makes sense to me that that would require an in person interaction. Certainly I do not want them to shut off my phone just because any old person calls in and reports the number. But being told, nope, you'll need to go to a store, sounded odd, and almost like they had no plan B.
Anyway, that's how I spent part of my long weekend. Fortunately I had been meaning to upgrade my phone soon.
