Question about removing old phone number from account

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1

Nearly 11 years ago I added my old work phone number to my account in order to use the Real Money AH in Diablo III. I never updated my number because I never needed to use SMS, so I kinda just forgot.

If I go to remove the current phone number now, is it going to request an SMS text from a number I no longer have and has probably been recycled to another person?

One more related question: Now that the mobile authenticator requires a phone number and an SMS text to attach it, does it need to be on the same device? Can I use my current phone number for the account and my old, different iPhone for the authenticator app? Probably a dumb question but I’m tired and a little paranoid of my physical autheticator dying on my here and want to make sure everything goes well when swapping over.

2

Personaly id have them both on the same device it kinda looks suspicious having it on 2 different devices.

3

why? I have mine on 3 different devices and not one of them is my phone.

4

Yes, that’s likely what it will do. You’ll need to open a ticket to have the number updated. You can use the “Contact Us” link below:
https://us.battle.net/support/en/help/product/services/316/1941/solution

And yes, you can use two different devices. Personally, I’d leave them on the same device, but that’s totally up to you.

5 Likes
5

When I click the button to remove my phone number, it says:

This will lower your account’s overall security. Are you sure you want to remove it?

I’d like to know for certain if it will send a message to some random person who now has my old number, or if this implies that clicking the Remove button here will just remove it. I’ve noticed that sometimes I can change other account details without having to go through any process to do so, perhaps because I’ve been logged in from the same location for so many years? There’s also an update phone number button.

I guess I’m asking for a blue post, someone who can answer my obscure question with some certainty. It would be cool if I could skip the whole sending in government issued ID portion of all this.

6

It sounds like you’re not clicking the “Contact Us” button on the page I linked. That button should take you to a form to fill out instead of sending a code to the old number.

And yes, you will likely need to submit ID so that they can confirm you’re the account holder. That’s for the security of your account.

Edit to add:
I tried submitting a ticket and here’s the info they requested that I provide to the best of my ability below -

BNET: date of birth (if present) :
BNET: previous emails :
BNET: previous BattleTag :
BNET: previous physical addresses :
BNET: previous phone numbers on the account :
BNET: physical game keys/codes :
BNET: serial number on the back of a physical authenticator currently or previously attached to the account :
BNET: invoice IDs :
BNET: transactions ID :

WoW: characters names, race, and gender previous to VAS (any VAS)
WoW: last purchases made with gold
WoW: account creation date (approximate MM/YYYY)
WoW: characters creation date / oldest character on the account (approximate MM/YYYY)

4 Likes
7

Update Phone Number

Are you sure?

This will change the phone number used for logging in and receiving security alerts for your Blizzard Account. Are you sure you want to change it?

Change Cancel

If I click yes, is it going to send an SMS text to someone who may possibly have my phone number I haven’t used for over a decade? What does the SMS text contain? Does it contain account info? Am I compromising my account by attempting to remove the phone number without going through a ticket? I really want to try this, as I think I’ve been able to change other account details without even having to put my password in before.

I would like to know for certain if I hit “Change” here, will it send my old phone number a message that could compromise my current account security. The wording makes it seem like I’ll just be able to change it without a text.

I’ll open the ticket if I have to but I’d like to click that “Change” button as long as it doesn’t send out my email or account name to some random person who may possibly have my number.

Sorry for bumping this but I just want to save myself the stress of waiting for a ticket and having to answer all those questions and digging through my closet finding old game keys.

8

It wouldn’t compromise anything, but also won’t work.

Self-help tools are designed to let you do things yourself while you still have access.

2 Likes
9

I still have the physical authenticator and it still works, for now. Will I be able to remove it without the phone number? Will I be able to add a mobile one without access to the phone number currently attached to my account or is a ticket my only option here?

10

You can try, not sure if it asks for more than the number or not. You’ll know very quickly if it succeeds.

2 Likes
11

Thank you for answering my oddly specific questions.

I just procrastinated so long and I’m now paranoid about my old corehound physical authenticator from 2009 I think, randomly dying on me while I’m enjoying WoTLK as much as I am. Attached the phone number so long ago and just completely forgot and didn’t think about it. I’ve never had to use it for anything other than the initial RMAH setup back in 2012, so it just never occurred to me that it would be a problem until I read some CS posts from awhile back from people losing access to their accounts.

I have at least some old game codes, physical authenticator serial code and the answer to I think… most of the questions that Perl listed earlier.

12

I still use my keyfobs - but the estimated shelflife is around 5ish years - at this point, I know I’m over double that.

It isn’t impossible to get it removed if it up and dies, but it usually is easier while you still have access.

3 Likes
13

Yeah, I haven’t had to put in the code very often but I did waste 3 presses recently while checking to make sure it still worked so I know the time has gotta be coming soon. Thanks again!