Verify Main Without Phone Number

jarsha • 10 March 2026 at 8:19 PM

I am fairly new (started Dec 2025) so I do not intend to stir any trouble suggesting this, however I want to give my input on the Verify Main Account action. Since it locks you out of certain activities on the site to not be verified, it is obviously a good idea to be verified if you want full access.

I wish there were more options in how you can verify your account that doesn’t involve inputting personal data such as phone number. With data breaches being so common, and the selling of user data to questionable sources I do not feel comfortable providing such information. I do my very best to maintain my privacy and do what I can to prevent my data from being stolen, I even have used a service for years that continually removes my information from data broker websites.

This is not to say or accuse the site owners or employees of mishandling data, as I have no idea if this site has ever experienced a breach. It’s just on my mind whenever I want to access a part of the site but cannot unless I provide my phone number. The internet is scary, and I think it’s a good idea to reconsider how much information you provide to any website.

As for suggestions, I am wondering if there could be other methods. Specific codes, other questions, captchas, user activity level, a second email address, could there be another method to verifying main accounts that could be implemented?

heatherm19 • 10 March 2026 at 9:01 PM

@jarsha You are not alone in wanting some other verification method, it's been requested since the very beginning of the verification feature. Besides the (completely understandable) wish to maintain your own privacy, some people simply do not have reliable access to a text-capable phone.

The issue with most alternative suggestions is they don't really verify it's *you* (anyone can make new email addresses, for example). Still, I feel like there *must* be some sort of compromise possible, some other way to verify that doesn't involve a phone number. Again, this has been asked for repeatedly, and as far as I can tell there hasn't been any action taken to make verification more inclusive.

(@mastergemma @Ian @Orderedchaos thoughts?)

jarsha • 10 March 2026 at 9:11 PM

It’s definitely something unique to this site I feel, as I have never been asked to provide my personal phone number to verify my identity on any other pet collecting site. It’s good that they want to maintain account safety and security as I assume that’s the reason for it, but surely there are other methods that could be used as well that don’t rely on data like that. As data breaches and cybercrime increase, I do find that something like this really needs to be reconsidered, and generally I don’t think it’s best practice to request such information from users (when some of them could possibly be minors as well, although I find the younger generation seems more concerned about protecting their data than mine did) in light of just how easy it seems to be for nefarious groups to obtain sensitive data from any website they want.

I also find your addition of some people not having access to a text-capable phone to be good input. I use browser sites because they are primarily simpler in what they require in order to use, and it doesn’t seem right to block people out for not having a phone that can handle texts and links (assuming this site sends text link verification.)

Ian • 11 March 2026 at 12:09 AM

What do you guys think about linking something like Discord to your main account?

minnie298a • 11 March 2026 at 11:24 PM

@Ian
As an added or alternative option, sure. If it helps others have better access.

However, personally, I don't use Discord or pretty much any social media. I've looked into Discord, but wasn't an immediate fan. Also from what I saw I don't see the point for a site like EggCave which has an onsite forum and ways to interact.


@jarsha
The verification text is a code to be entered into the site. I don't think I've ever gotten a link. I don't see a difference from the code texts I get for two factor authentication requests for say my email or bank app.

Not sure about other sites, but the verification process here allows you earn CC (the real life currency), plus receive the yearly Birthday gift on EggCave's Birthday (July 20th). The one click, gifted Birthday CC in particular could be majorly taken advantage of (and probably was).

As for data, I'm fairly certain the dude who knocked on my door at 8am this morning had access to more info on me than I've given to EggCave over the years. He had access to at least my legal name, phone number, physical address and that I have a dog, plus now knows what I look like. Although he was with the power company and they came to do scheduled repairs requiring access to the yard, but still. I'm a bill paying adult, who doesn't have a landline number, only my mobile number. It and my email address are handed out as contact details all the time. There are a lot more places that have way more sensitive information on me. All factors into why I had no reservations on giving my phone number over.

heatherm19 • 11 March 2026 at 11:52 PM

@Ian That'd be a nice alternative I think... Admittedly I've never used Discord but it seems relatively straight forward and I know tons of people here already use it (I believe Eggcave has a Discord server/whatever). That's something I wouldn't mind using in this context.

(For what it's worth, I 100% trust Eggcave with my phone number, I mean if I had any worries in that area I wouldn't be inputting card info to buy CC... but I haven't always had consistent access to a mobile phone, and when this verification feature was introduced I was actually using my mom's phone. That's the reason I've wanted some sort of alternative.)

jarsha • 12 March 2026 at 2:38 AM

@minnie298a
I understand where you’re getting at with your local power maintenance man having information on you, however that is very different from foreign bodies and cyber criminal groups having that information through website hacking and is why I brought the topic up. I doubt your electrician is going to use your personal data for massive ransomware, and I doubt your electrician is part of The Com.

minnie298a • 12 March 2026 at 6:16 AM

@jarsha
The power guy was an independent contractor for our main (and possibly still only) power supplier. As in part government run, state wide provider, None of the information he had I gave to his company. The phone call and sms from Jason about ensuring our dog was secured so they could replace the line running into the house, means they had been passed on some info. I highly doubt they where a local operation.

I've been on EggCave for a while, and trust them. As pointed out by heatherm19, I wouldn't have handed over my credit card info if I didn't. My phone number seemed way less risky.

The things you get by handing over your number and verifying your account are nice bonuses. And just that, extras. They are not essential to accessing and enjoying the site. Unlike other pet based sites I've visited (and abandoned), here you can trade the real currency with the virtual one. So those who can't afford CC, or don't have access to credit card or paypal (or don't feel confident in handing over that information), still have a way to obtain the items and pets that cost real money. It just takes time and effort.

jarsha • 12 March 2026 at 8:51 AM

Once again, this is not at all about lack of trust towards anyone running EggCave. At all. Breaches happen, if it were to happen here it would not mean I distrust anyone who keeps this site running, as the breech and abuse of data is not being done by people from EggCave. Not having a datebase of personal phone numbers in a breech event is a good thing.

I’m not sure why a suggestion of another option that doesn’t involve inputting a phone number requires this much personal life story and unrelated things to shoot it down. I’m not sure how the topic veered into your electrician and your dog and some guy named Jason, as those are still, in the most respectful way I can express this, not related whatsoever to what I am talking about.

demeownic • 12 March 2026 at 12:43 PM

as someone who's already verified their account with a phone number, having multiple options still sounds like a good idea. i don't see any reason to object to something that wouldn't hurt anything and would evidently help some people out.

afaik discord only requires email verification, yet is much more likely to be representative of a real actual person without malicious intent, considering it's still an extra step you have to go through. i'm hardly an expert, but it seems like a feasible additional method to me. so long as it doesn't become the only option, which i sincerely doubt it would, it'd be good to have.