What is ID.me? ID.me is our trusted and federally-certified technology partner for secure digital identity verification. ID.me helps make sure you're you — and not someone pretending to be you — when you request access to your benefits. ID.me's online
identity verification service is available 24-hours per day, 7 days a week. Most claimants are able to complete their ID.me identity verification using a self-guided process that takes a few minutes. Show
For more information, please visit Verifying My Identity - Pennsylvania. To verify your identity:
Jory MacKay Cybersecurity Writer and Editor Is Someone Asking for Your Google Voice Code?An Ohio resident who posted on Facebook looking for their missing cat was relieved to get a response from someone claiming to have found the beloved pet [*]. But that relief quickly turned to confusion when the person demanded “proof” of the cat’s true ownership — in the form of a six-digit Google Voice activation code. Stories like this happen over and over again. Scammers bypass your natural suspicions by pretending to be cautious themselves, asking for “verification” from their targets. But although they claim to be protecting themselves from a scam, it’s just an excuse to request your private information. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported a record-breaking 26% increase in identity crimes from 2020 to 2021 [*]. Among those crimes, a staggering 53% involved Google Voice verification code scams [*]. So, why do scammers want your Google Voice verification code? What can they do with it? And what should you do if you’ve given a scammer your code? What Is Google Voice? Why Do Scammers Want Access to Your Number?Google Voice is a call app offered by Google. It generates a phone number for you that is linked to your Google account. Once it’s set up, the number can automatically forward text messages and calls to other cell phone numbers that you specify (or even to your Gmail inbox). It can also be used like a regular phone number to make and receive calls — all for free. Criminals like Google Voice because it gives them a free, mostly untraceable phone number that they can use to scam people. But here’s the catch: Google Voice is only available in the United States and needs to be linked to an existing U.S. number. Scammers who are based internationally don’t have access to a U.S. number; so to set up Google Voice, they need to find someone who does have a number. How Does the Google Voice Verification Code Scam Work?Google Voice scams occur when fraudsters link a Google Voice number to your phone number. All they need is a unique verification code that they get from you. This allows scammers to forward all calls and texts made to your phone to a number that they control. Here’s how the Google Voice code verification scam works:
💡 Related: Did You Get Scammed on Facebook Marketplace? Do This! → Google Voice Scams: What Can Someone Do With Your Google Voice Code?
While it’s not ideal to have a stranger use a number that’s connected to your Google account, can it really cause serious harm? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Here’s what scammers can do once they’ve gained access to a Google Voice account linked to your phone number: 1. Commit crimes that can be traced back to youScammers can exploit Google Voice numbers because they’re nearly untraceable. But if law enforcement gets involved, Google will hand over all information on the offending account, including your linked number. How the scam works:
💡 Related: Can Someone Hack You With Just Your Phone Number? → 2. Scam your friends and family using your phone numberScammers know that your friends and family members are more likely to fall for a scam if they think the message is coming from someone they know. Using the Google Voice number linked to your number, scammers can put your closest contacts at risk of losing money, sensitive information, or worse. How the scam works:
3. Open new accounts in your nameHackers and scammers can use an authentic name and phone number as the launching point for identity theft. With just these pieces of information, they can start to open new accounts in your name and create a false identity without your knowledge. How the scam works:
Do you know what sensitive information is available to hackers online?Use Aura’s free Dark Web scanner to find out what scammers have access to → 4. Take over your online accounts using verification codesA scammer can use the forwarding feature on Google Voice to receive two-factor authentication codes (2FA) meant for you. This can give them easy access to any accounts that are connected to your phone number. How the scam works:
💡 Related: How To Protect Yourself From Account Takeover Fraud → 5. Harvest more sensitive information to steal your identityOnce a fraudster has a piece of your identity, there’s no reason for them to stop there. With a little work, a scammer can leverage your name and phone number to collect even more information about you. And once they have enough to piece together, they can commit other types of identity theft like falsified loan applications or medical fraud. How this scam works:
Pro tip: Keep constant tabs on your personal and financial accounts. Aura can alert you in near real-time if someone has gained access to your information and is trying to steal your money or identity. Did You Give Away a Google Voice Verification Code? Do This!If you’ve already fallen victim to a Google Voice scam, follow these steps to reverse the damage as soon as possible. Start by getting your number back:
Then, secure your identity and report the fraud:
💯 Pro tip: Sign up for identity theft protection and insurance. Every adult member on an Aura plan is covered by $1,000,000 in insurance for eligible losses due to identity theft. Learn more about how Aura keeps you safe from scammers → How To Protect Yourself Against Google Voice ScamsYou can prevent most types of scams by never sharing personal information with scammers. But Google Voice scams are unique because the scammer will almost never ask you for personal information. Here’s how to stay safe from Google Voice code scammers:
The Bottom Line: Don’t Fall for Google Voice Code ScamsAnytime someone else uses a number connected to your identity, your cybersecurity, identity, and finances are at risk. If you’re lucky, the scammer will dump your phone number and move on to the next target. But the worst-case scenario isn’t one that you want to risk. Never give out 2FA codes, and keep your personal information as private as possible online. And for added security, consider signing up for Aura’s all-in-one digital security solution. Stay safe and shut down scammers. Try Aura free for 14 days →Why does Google say this phone number Cannot be used for verification?"This phone number cannot be used for verification"
If you find this error message, you have to use a different number. To protect you from abuse, we limit the number of accounts each phone number can create.
Can you verify Google Voice with another Google Voice number?The reason is that Google Voice will require a valid number to work on, and they will send a text on that number as a verification code. The number you entered could not be a landline, and you can also not use a mobile number that already has been linked with another Google Voice number.
Can I use one number to verify Google Voice twice?You can only use a phone number once to claim a Google Voice number. Simply use a different number for verification and replace it with the original forwarding number once you successfully set up your account.
Why is Google not verifying my account?To protect your account, you may be blocked from some sensitive actions when at least one of the following items hasn't been associated with your Google Account for at least 7 days: Phone. Phone number. Security key.
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