In today‘s digital age, our phone numbers have become an integral part of our identity. They‘re how we connect with friends, family, and colleagues. But sometimes, for various reasons, we need to change those digits. Maybe you‘re being bombarded with spam calls, maybe you‘re moving to a new city, or maybe you just want a fresh start.
If Verizon is your carrier, you‘re in luck. Changing your phone number with Verizon is a surprisingly simple process. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into everything you need to know about getting a new set of digits on America‘s largest mobile network.
How Common Is Changing Your Phone Number?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to make the switch, let‘s talk about how often this actually happens. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, nearly 1 in 4 American adults have changed their phone number in the past year alone. The most common reasons cited were:
- Switching to a new carrier (34%)
- Getting too many unwanted calls (17%)
- Moving to a new geographic area (15%)
- Wanting a fresh start after a life change (12%)
So if you‘re considering a number change, know that you‘re far from alone. It‘s a fairly common occurrence, especially in our highly mobile and connected society.
The Psychological Impact of Changing Your Number
Changing your phone number can be a significant psychological event. Our numbers are deeply tied to our sense of identity and continuity. They‘re how people recognize and remember us. Letting go of a long-time number can feel like shedding a part of yourself.
Dr. Jeremy Tillman, a psychologist who studies human behavior and technology, explains: "We form emotional attachments to our phone numbers, much like we do with our names or physical addresses. They represent stability and familiarity. Changing a number can trigger feelings of anxiety, disconnection, or even grief."
This is especially true if the number change is due to a major life event like a divorce, a falling out with friends, or escaping harassment. In these cases, a new number represents a clean break and a chance to start over. But it can also come with a sense of loss and the stress of rebuilding your contact list from scratch.
On the flip side, a voluntary number change can be empowering and refreshing. It‘s a proactive step towards curating your communication and setting boundaries. A new number can feel like a blank slate and a chance to be more intentional about who has direct access to you.
Is Changing Your Number a Security Risk?
From a security standpoint, changing your phone number is often seen as a way to escape spam, harassment, or stalking. If someone is bombarding you with unwanted calls or texts, getting a new number can cut off their access and give you peace of mind.
However, it‘s important to note that changing your number is not a foolproof solution. Scammers and harassers have tools at their disposal to find your new digits, especially if a lot of your personal data is available online. They can use spoofing techniques to make it look like they‘re calling from a number you trust. They can also purchase your information from data brokers or phishing scams.
Eva Velasquez, the CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, advises: "Changing your number can provide temporary relief from spam and harassment, but it‘s not a silver bullet. Scammers are relentless and highly motivated to find workarounds. The most effective solution is a combination of changing your number, being cautious about sharing your data, and using tools to screen and block unwanted calls."
Some steps you can take to bolster your phone security in conjunction with a number change:
- Registering your new number on the National Do Not Call Registry
- Using your phone‘s built-in call filtering and blocking tools
- Installing reputable third-party call screening apps
- Being very selective about giving out your new number
- Removing your phone number from your public social media profiles
- Doing a thorough online search of your name and number to see where they appear and requesting removals if needed
While it takes some effort, combining a number change with these proactive measures can go a long way in shutting out phone harassment for good.
How to Change Your Verizon Phone Number: Step by Step
Now that we‘ve covered the context and considerations around number changes, let‘s get into the actual process with Verizon. You have a few options:
Porting an Existing Number
If you already have a number with another carrier that you‘d like to keep, Verizon can usually port that number to your new device. Here‘s how:
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Gather your current account information from your old carrier. You‘ll need the account number and the account holder‘s name, phone number, and service address.
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Contact Verizon‘s porting center at 1-888-844-7095. They‘ll walk you through the process and let you know if your number is eligible for porting.
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Select a new Verizon plan and device if you haven‘t already. Your old service will be deactivated as part of the porting process.
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Verizon will work with your old carrier to transfer the number. This usually takes a few hours, but can be up to a day. Your old service will stop working once the port is complete.
Ported numbers go through a verification process to ensure you‘re authorized to take the number with you. It‘s a secure and standardized system that all major US carriers use. In most cases, as long as you provide the correct information and the number is portable, you‘ll have no issue transferring it to Verizon.
Choosing a New Verizon Number
Don‘t need to keep your old number? You can have Verizon assign you a brand new one. Here‘s how to do that through the My Verizon website:
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Sign into your My Verizon account as the account owner or manager.
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Go to the Devices page and click Manage next to the device you want to change.
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Click Manage next to Change Mobile Number.
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Enter the verification code sent to your device.
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Input your billing ZIP code to see a list of available numbers. You can choose from these options or enter a preferred area code.
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Select whether you want the change to happen now or at a future time.
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Review and confirm your number change request.
Your new number will be active as soon as the change is processed, usually within minutes. And the best part? Choosing a new number through the My Verizon site or app is totally FREE.
Porting a Landline Number
Have a home phone number you want to use on your cell phone instead? Verizon can help with that too. The process is similar to porting a mobile number:
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Contact your landline provider and request your account number and porting authorization code.
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Reach out to Verizon and let them know you want to port a landline number. They‘ll check the number‘s eligibility.
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Provide the necessary account information and authorization code.
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Choose your new Verizon plan and device.
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Verizon will work with your landline provider to complete the port. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your previous carrier.
Once the port is finished, your landline will no longer have service – all calls to that number will ring on your Verizon mobile device instead.
Note that not all landline numbers are portable to mobile service. In some cases, the number may be too closely tied to a physical location or network to transfer. Verizon can let you know your options.
Comparing Verizon‘s Policies to Other Carriers
How does Verizon‘s number change process stack up to other major US carriers? Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Carrier | Number Change Fee | Method | Porting In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | FREE online, $15 by phone | My Verizon site/app or customer service | FREE |
| AT&T | FREE | myAT&T, 611 call, or retail store | FREE |
| T-Mobile | FREE | T-Mobile app, website, or customer service | FREE |
| Sprint | FREE online, $15 by phone | My Sprint website or customer service | FREE |
As you can see, all of the Big Four carriers allow you to change your number for free if you do it yourself online. They also don‘t charge for porting in an existing number. Where fees come into play is if you go through a live customer service representative to make the switch.
So across the board, the most cost-effective and efficient way to change your digits is to use your carrier‘s self-service tools. Verizon‘s My Verizon interface makes the process especially streamlined.
Expert Tips for Adjusting to a New Phone Number
We talked earlier about the psychological weight of changing your number. So how can you make the transition feel less jarring? Here are some tips from connection experts:
Start with your inner circle. Reach out to your closest contacts first to let them know about the change. Hearing a familiar voice on the other end of your new number can make it feel more like home.
Update your info everywhere. Do an audit of where your old number is listed and update it proactively. Don‘t forget login systems that may use your number for two-factor authentication.
Harness your voicemail. Set up a new voicemail greeting that identifies you by name. This will help unfamiliar callers know they‘ve reached the right person.
Practice reciting your new number. Overwrite the old number in your mind by physically and verbally drilling the new one. Fill out forms, say it out loud, practice your new "phone voice."
Be patient with yourself. It‘s normal for a number change to feel disorienting at first. Give yourself time to adapt and don‘t beat yourself up for forgetting the new digits or accidentally giving out the old ones.
Lean into the fresh start. A number change is an opportunity to Marie Kondo your contacts and digital presence. Embrace the clean slate and curate your communication intentionally.
Remember, your number does not define you. It‘s simply a tool for connection. Approach the change with curiosity and self-compassion, and trust that the important people will stay firmly in your orbit no matter what digits you have.
The Bottom Line
Changing your Verizon phone number does not have to be a hassle. In fact, it‘s a quick and often free process that you can complete in just a few clicks on the My Verizon site or app. Whether you‘re porting an existing number, choosing a completely new one, or even transferring a landline, Verizon makes it easy to get the digits you want on your own schedule.
Of course, a number change can come with some emotional and logistical challenges. It‘s important to approach it mindfully and methodically. Take the time to update your number everywhere it‘s listed, and be proactive about letting key contacts know. Most importantly, give yourself grace as you adjust to the new normal.
In an age where our phones are extensions of ourselves, changing your number can feel like a big deal. But with a little planning, it can also be an empowering fresh start. So if you‘re ready for a digital makeover, know that Verizon has your back – and your number – every step of the way.
