Forum Discussion

rmk9785e's avatar
rmk9785e
Newbie Caller
8 years ago
Solved

Why can't IRS verify my identity using My T-Mobile phone

I have tried to create an online account at irs.gov and go to the step where they ask for a mobile phone number to verify my identity. When I enter my T-Mobile phone number, I receive an error message saying "We weren't able to verify your identity using your phone." I am the primary account holder of T-Mobile account. T-Mobile support states they do not know the reason for this failure. Is this just me or for everyone on T-Mobile?

  • The name on the caller id must be you full legal name, match the IRS system.
    It took a while before i got this figured out, since the name on the bill is my full legal name but the caller id was just my initial.


    Good Luck!!

  • tmo_chris's avatar
    tmo_chris
    Spectrum Specialist

    I am not sure what information the IRS site is requesting when the verification is sent but when it comes to prepaid and postpaid accounts, when a prepaid number is converted to a post paid account, the old prepaid account is removed from our systems so there should not be anything hiding anywhere. Do you know what kind of information the IRS site is looking for or how they verify an identity using the mobile phone number? Is there a specific call back they are looking for from our network?

  • If you mean IRS by 'they', I doubt if they keep records of the type of accounts T-Mobile customers have. I suspect the old prepaid status may be hiding somewhere in T-Mobile system records which IRS checks to see the type of account one has. IRS does not have any consumer support option for registration to their online systems. They do have a phone number to support businesses. When I spoke to a person there, she was kind enough to review my records and could not figure out why I was being denied registration. Sadly, she said their applications are designed and tested to be compatible only with Internet Explorer even though they could work with other browsers. I tried accessing using IE and it was more responsive but still couldn't verify my identity with T-Mobile.

  • tmo_chris's avatar
    tmo_chris
    Spectrum Specialist

    It is possible their records still indicate you as having a prepaid account and would need to be updated. I know finding a customer support option on their site might be a bit tough but did they provide any other ways of verifying?

  • rmk9785e's avatar
    rmk9785e
    Newbie Caller

    Thank you. Checked that one too. It is a credit check postpaid account. Are any T-Mobile customers able to register at IRS web site?

  • rmk9785e's avatar
    rmk9785e
    Newbie Caller

    Thank you. I had it checked and was told there’s no block and it is a postpaid account.

    IRS has no tech support line for me to call and their regular agents are not trained to handle this type of issues. Our government agencies are so far behind times.

    I’m stumped. What else could it be?

  • tmo_amanda's avatar
    tmo_amanda
    Bandwidth Buff

    Ah, that may be what's going on. Again, I'm not 100% sure how the IRS verifies your identity but you can have your account reviewed to see if you have a content block by contacting us via 611 or T-Force via Facebook or Twitter.

  • rmk9785e's avatar
    rmk9785e
    Newbie Caller

    Sorry for the delay. Here are my answers:

    I used to have a prepaid account which I have already changed to postpaid account. Not sure if any remnants of my prepaid status are still not giving my current status of postpaid when IRS system tries to validate my registration.

    I am able to receive SMS from CVS and T-Mobile. I don't recall asking short codes to be blocked. How can I have it checked?

  • tmo_amanda's avatar
    tmo_amanda
    Bandwidth Buff

    Happy Friday, @rmk9785e​!

    I'm just swinging by to see if you've had a chance to look over my previous reply to you. Keep me updated if anything changes or if you were able to get your identity verified through the IRS.

  • tmo_amanda's avatar
    tmo_amanda
    Bandwidth Buff

    Hey, @rmk9785e​!

    Do you have a postpaid or prepaid account? Also, are you able to receive SMS' from short codes (ex. bank texts, coupons from stores, etc.)? If short codes are blocked on your account, this may be why they're not able to verify your mobile number.