Ever stared at your screen, ready to tackle your taxes or access crucial IRS information, only to realize your ID.me account is linked to an old phone number? It's a frustrating moment, isn't it? Many of us have been there. A new phone, a new carrier, or just a change of mind can leave you locked out of essential online services that rely on multi-factor authentication (MFA).
But don't panic! Changing your phone number on your IRS ID.me account is a doable process, though it requires careful attention to detail. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you regain access and maintain the security of your IRS interactions.
How to Change Your Phone Number on IRS ID.me: A Step-by-Step Guide
The key to successfully updating your phone number with ID.me (and by extension, your IRS access) lies in understanding ID.me's multi-factor authentication system. They use your phone number for security codes, so the process revolves around updating or resetting that crucial verification method.
Step 1: Can You Still Access Your Old Phone Number? (Engage User Here!)
Before we dive in, let's figure out your starting point! Do you still have access to the old phone number linked to your ID.me account, even if it's just for receiving SMS codes?
- YES, I have access to the old phone. Great! This will make the process much smoother. Proceed to Step 2.
- NO, I do NOT have access to the old phone. Don't worry, it's still possible, but it involves a slightly different path. Skip ahead to Step 3.
Understanding this crucial detail will direct you to the most efficient way to get your phone number updated.
Step 2: Changing Your Phone Number When You Have Access to the Old One
If you still have your old phone and can receive multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes, consider yourself lucky! This is the most straightforward method.
Sub-heading 2.1: Logging In with Your Current MFA
- Go to the ID.me Website: Open your web browser and navigate to the official ID.me website (typically
https://www.id.me/). - Sign In: Click on "My Account," "Sign In," or your name in the top right corner.
- Enter Credentials: Input your ID.me email address and password.
- Complete MFA: When prompted, use your old phone to complete the multi-factor authentication. This might involve:
- Authenticator App: Approving a push notification through the ID.me Authenticator app on your old device.
- SMS Text Message: Entering the 6-digit code sent to your old phone number via text message.
- Phone Call: Receiving a call and following the prompts.
Sub-heading 2.2: Updating Your MFA Method
Once you're successfully logged in, you can modify your MFA settings.
- Navigate to Security Settings: Look for a section like "Sign In & Security" or "Security Settings" within your ID.me account dashboard.
- Locate "Text Message or Phone Call": Under the MFA options, find the "Text Message or Phone Call" method. If it's already set up, you'll likely see an option to "Set up" or "Edit."
- Set Up or Edit:
- If you're adding a new phone number, select "Set up."
- If you're changing an existing one, select "Edit" or the equivalent option next to the current phone number.
- Enter Your New Phone Number: Carefully enter your new phone number. Double-check for any typos!
- Verify New Number: ID.me will likely send a verification code to your new phone number via text message or a phone call. Enter this code to confirm the change.
- Consider Removing Old Method (Optional but Recommended): If you've successfully added your new phone number and verified it, you might have the option to remove the old phone number as an MFA method. This is a good security practice to avoid confusion and ensure only your current device is used for authentication. Look for a "Remove" or trash can icon next to the old method.
Step 3: Changing Your Phone Number When You Do NOT Have Access to the Old One
This scenario is a bit more involved, as you can't rely on your old device for immediate MFA. ID.me has specific procedures for this to ensure your account security.
Sub-heading 3.1: Resetting Your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Method
Since you can't receive codes on your old phone, you'll need to reset your MFA.
- Go to the ID.me Sign-in Page: Start at
https://www.id.me/. - Attempt to Sign In: Enter your ID.me email address and password.
- Indicate MFA Issue: When prompted for MFA, you'll likely see an option indicating you cannot receive a code or need to reset your MFA method. Click on this option.
- Follow On-Screen Prompts: ID.me will guide you through a process to reset your MFA. This often involves:
- Email Confirmation: Confirming your email address associated with the account.
- Identity Verification: To ensure it's truly you, ID.me may require you to re-verify your identity. This could involve:
- Uploading documents: Providing photos of your government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, passport).
- Taking a video selfie: A quick video to match your face to your ID.
- Live video call with an agent: In some cases, especially if automated verification fails, you might need to connect with an ID.me video chat agent. This is a secure way to confirm your identity. Be prepared to show your ID to the agent.
Sub-heading 3.2: Setting Up Your New Phone Number as MFA
Once your MFA method has been reset and your identity is re-verified, you'll be able to set up a new MFA method.
- Choose "Text Message or Phone Call": During the MFA setup, select "Text message or Phone Call" as your preferred method.
- Enter Your New Phone Number: Input the new phone number you wish to associate with your ID.me account.
- Verify New Number: A verification code will be sent to your new phone. Enter this code to complete the setup.
Step 4: Confirming the Change and Testing Access
After successfully changing your phone number, it's crucial to confirm everything is working correctly.
- Sign Out and Sign Back In: Log out of your ID.me account completely. Then, try signing back in, ensuring the MFA prompt goes to your new phone number.
- Access IRS Services: Navigate to the IRS service you intend to use (e.g., your IRS Online Account) and attempt to log in using your ID.me credentials. The MFA should now be routed to your updated phone number.
Congratulations! You've successfully changed your phone number on your IRS ID.me account. This vital step ensures you can securely access your tax information and other government services.
Important Considerations and Tips:
- Keep Your Information Updated: Make it a habit to update your contact information with ID.me immediately after changing your phone number or email address. This proactive approach can save you a lot of hassle.
- Strong Passwords: Always use a strong, unique password for your ID.me account. Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Backup MFA Methods: If available, consider setting up a secondary MFA method like a recovery code. This can be a lifesaver if you lose access to your primary device. ID.me offers the option to generate a recovery code when you first set up MFA. Store it in a secure, accessible location (but not on your primary device).
- Beware of Phishing: Be extremely cautious of emails or texts claiming to be from ID.me or the IRS asking for your login credentials or personal information. Always go directly to the official websites.
- ID.me Support: If you encounter persistent issues, ID.me has a robust help center and support team. You can often find answers to common questions or submit a support ticket through their website. While they may not offer direct phone support for account issues, their online resources are extensive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to changing your phone number on IRS ID.me:
How to check my current phone number on ID.me?
You can check your current phone number by logging into your ID.me account, navigating to the "Sign In & Security" or "Manage Profile" section, and reviewing your multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods.
How to reset multi-factor authentication (MFA) on ID.me if I lost my phone?
If you've lost your phone and cannot receive MFA codes, you will need to initiate an MFA reset. This typically involves going to the ID.me sign-in page, attempting to log in, and then selecting the option that indicates you can't receive a code or need to reset MFA. You will likely need to re-verify your identity through document upload, video selfie, or a video call with an ID.me agent.
How to contact ID.me support for phone number changes?
ID.me's primary support method is through their online Help Center. You can visit their support page and submit a ticket. While they don't typically offer phone support for account issues, their online resources are comprehensive, and you can communicate with agents via email once a ticket is submitted.
How to use a recovery code to log in to ID.me?
If you generated a recovery code when you first set up MFA, you can use it to log in when prompted for MFA. Select "Recovery code" as your MFA method, enter the code, and then you'll typically be issued a new one for future use.
How to add a secondary phone number to my ID.me account?
You can add a secondary phone number by logging into your ID.me account, going to "Sign In & Security," and looking for options to add another MFA method or another "Text Message or Phone Call" option. Follow the prompts to enter and verify the new number.
How to verify my identity if I can't receive SMS codes?
If you cannot receive SMS codes, ID.me offers alternative identity verification methods, including uploading photos of your government-issued ID and taking a video selfie. In some cases, you may need to complete a live video call with an ID.me agent to verify your identity.
How to prevent my ID.me account from getting locked?
To prevent your ID.me account from getting locked, ensure you use the correct email and password. If you have trouble with MFA, avoid multiple incorrect attempts and instead, look for options to reset your MFA or contact ID.me support.
How to know if my phone number change on ID.me was successful?
After changing your phone number, the best way to confirm success is to log out of your ID.me account and then attempt to log back in. The multi-factor authentication prompt should now direct to your new phone number. You can also try accessing an IRS service that uses ID.me to confirm.
How to update my email address on ID.me?
You can update your email address by logging into your ID.me account, navigating to "Manage Profile," and then finding the email section. You can usually add a new email address and set it as your primary, then delete the old one.
How to get an Identity Protection (IP) PIN from the IRS if I can't access ID.me?
While ID.me is a common way to retrieve your IP PIN online, if you can't access ID.me, you can still retrieve your IP PIN through your IRS Online Account directly (which might also use ID.me, potentially restarting your verification process there) or by calling the IRS IP PIN help line at 800-908-4490 (for U.S. callers). They may mail it to your address on file after verifying your identity over the phone.
