There are a few reasons why you may have received a text message containing a verification code for LinkedIn. Getting these types of messages can be confusing or concerning, so it’s important to understand the common reasons they are sent. In most cases, it is LinkedIn itself sending you a code for account verification purposes. However, there are some other possibilities as well, such as a scam attempt. In this article, we’ll explore the main reasons you may get a LinkedIn verification code text and what you should do when receiving these messages.
You Signed Up for LinkedIn
The most common reason for getting a LinkedIn verification text is because you just signed up for a new LinkedIn account. During the signup process, LinkedIn will send a 6-digit verification code to your phone number to confirm it is correct and belongs to you.
Here’s a typical flow when creating a new LinkedIn profile:
1. You provide your name, email address, and phone number when registering for the account.
2. LinkedIn sends a text message containing a 6-digit numerical code to your phone.
3. You are prompted to enter this code on LinkedIn to verify your phone number ownership.
4. After entering the correct verification code, your phone number will be confirmed and your account setup can be completed.
This verification process helps ensure real users are signing up for LinkedIn rather than fake accounts or bots. It adds an extra layer of security and authenticity to the platform. So if you just went through these steps to create a profile, receiving a text with a code is completely normal.
You Updated Your Phone Number
Another time you may get sent a LinkedIn verification text is when you update or change the phone number on your account. Adding a new phone number triggers LinkedIn’s verification process to confirm the number actually belongs to you.
The flow looks like this:
1. In your account settings, you add a new phone number to your profile.
2. LinkedIn sends a 6-digit verification code text to that new number.
3. You enter the code on LinkedIn to verify you control that phone number.
4. The number is then updated and saved to your account after matching the code.
So if you recently updated your phone number tied to your LinkedIn profile, either by adding a number for the first time or switching to a new one, the verification text is LinkedIn double checking the change. The code process prevents unauthorized number changes by confirming the number’s owner.
You Requested a Login Code
If you proactively requested a login verification code through LinkedIn, receiving the text is expected behavior.
On the LinkedIn website and mobile apps, there’s an option to generate a one-time verification code sent to your phone. This is useful if you:
– Lost access to your regular login credentials
– Want to log in from a new device
– Notice suspicious activity on your account
By requesting the code, you can securely log in without your password. Here are the steps:
1. On LinkedIn’s login page, click the “Text me a code instead” link.
2. Enter your phone number when prompted.
3. LinkedIn sends a 6-digit code text to that phone number.
4. Input the code on LinkedIn to finish logging in.
So if you went through these steps yourself recently, that explains the verification text. Some users proactively generate login codes if they are on shared or public devices as an extra security precaution as well.
You Enabled Two-Factor Authentication
LinkedIn gives users the option to turn on two-factor authentication for enhanced account security. If enabled, you’ll need to enter a verification code during the login process in addition to your password.
Here’s how it works:
1. In your account settings, you enable two-factor authentication and confirm your phone number.
2. Going forward, when logging into LinkedIn, after inputting your password, LinkedIn will text you a 6-digit code.
3. You’ll need to enter this code on the login page to fully access your account.
So if you recently switched on two-factor authentication, the increased login prompts for a verification code are working as intended to protect your account. The codes provide that extra layer of identity confirmation.
You’re Logging in from a New Device
If you are logging into your LinkedIn account from a new or unrecognized device for the first time, LinkedIn may automatically send a verification code to your phone for security.
This acts as an extra precaution in case someone else is improperly trying to access your account from an unknown device. The process looks like:
1. You try to log into your LinkedIn account on a new phone, tablet, computer, etc for the first time.
2. LinkedIn recognizes you have not used this device before.
3. To verify your identity, LinkedIn sends a 6-digit code text to your phone on file.
4. You enter the code on the login page to prove it’s really you trying to log in.
5. Access will be granted after matching the codes.
This automatic verification can occur on both new devices, as well as clearing your LinkedIn browser cookies or using private browsing mode on a device you normally use, which erases your log in “memory” on that machine.
You’re Logging in from a New Location
Similar to new devices, LinkedIn may also text a verification code if you log in from a new physical location that you don’t normally access your account from.
For example:
– Logging in for the first time from a new country while traveling internationally.
– Accessing your account from a different city or state you don’t regularly log in from.
LinkedIn considers other signals like IP address ranges and internet service providers to guess your approximate location. An unusual login geography can trigger the additional verification step.
The process to confirm your identity is the same:
1. You try to log in from a new, unrecognized location.
2. LinkedIn detects the abnormal geography and sends a 6-digit code to your phone.
3. You input the code to verify your identity and complete logging in.
This provides extra login security in case someone else is improperly accessing your account remotely. The verification codes give you that quick confirmation it’s really you trying to log in.
You Added LinkedIn to a New App
Some mobile apps allow linking or logging into your LinkedIn account within the app experience to access profile data. Common examples include productivity apps like Evernote or CRMs like Salesforce.
When granting these apps access to your LinkedIn profile for the first time, LinkedIn will text you a verification code as confirmation.
The flow looks like:
1. Within the external app, you try to connect your LinkedIn account.
2. LinkedIn sends a 6-digit verification code to your phone to confirm you authorized it.
3. You enter the code into the app to verify the link.
4. The app will then have access to your LinkedIn profile data.
Think of this as LinkedIn double checking you intentionally connected your profile to a new app for security reasons. The verification codes prevent unwanted account access.
You Changed Your Security Settings
Making changes to your LinkedIn account’s security settings can also trigger a verification code text. For example:
– Turning two-factor authentication on or off
– Changing your primary email address
– Altering your password reset preferences
– Requiring verification codes for all logins
Modifying critical account security settings like these will prompt LinkedIn to send a code to confirm it was really you making the changes. This prevents unauthorized alterations to your login protections.
LinkedIn Believes Your Account is Compromised
In some cases, LinkedIn may proactively send a verification code if their systems detect a potential security risk with your account.
For example, if LinkedIn notices suspicious login attempts or malware-associated activity, they may text you a code even if you didn’t initiate any changes. You’ll then need to enter it to verify you are the real account owner.
This usually happens behind the scenes for security enhancement if LinkedIn believes your account may have been compromised in some way. So the verification code is them taking proactive measures to protect your account.
You Have Message Notifications Enabled
Within your LinkedIn account settings, you can enable notifications for new messages and conversations. If turned on, LinkedIn will send you a text message alerting you whenever you receive a new message on LinkedIn.
The message will typically state something like “You have a new message on LinkedIn” and contain a 6-digit verification code. However, you do NOT need to enter this code anywhere – it is just displayed as part of the message footer.
The notifications serve to give you a heads up that you have a new message waiting. But the code itself can be ignored and is not needed to access your inbox messages.
Potential LinkedIn Verification Code Scams
While most verification codes come directly from LinkedIn, there is a possibility the text is part of a scam attempt from a third party. Some signs it may be a scam:
– The message comes from an unknown number not associated with LinkedIn. LinkedIn codes will come from their valid short code numbers.
– The text contains suspicious links or asks you to call a questionable phone number.
– The text requests personal information like passwords or social security numbers.
– You did not initiate any actions on LinkedIn related to a verification code.
If anything seems suspicious, do NOT enter the code or click any links. Log into your LinkedIn account directly through the official website or app and change your password immediately. Check for any unauthorized account activity and alert LinkedIn of potential spam or phishing.
Unfortunately, scammers will sometimes spoof legitimate verification codes from companies like LinkedIn to try and trick users as part of social engineering attacks. Always exercise caution if you receive an unsolicited code.
What to Do When You Get a LinkedIn Verification Code
Whenever you receive an SMS from LinkedIn with a 6-digit verification code, here are some best practices:
– If you just signed up, updated your profile, or made security changes, enter the code on LinkedIn to complete the process. This verifies your identity.
– If the code is unexpected, log into your account to check for any unauthorized access or changes. Resetting your password is recommended.
– Do not share verification codes with anyone else. These codes are designed for your account security.
– Double check the sending number matches LinkedIn’s official short codes before acting on a code message.
– If anything seems suspicious about the text, do NOT click links or provide personal information. Report the message to LinkedIn.
– Consider enabling two-factor authentication for increased account security requiring codes for all logins moving forward.
How LinkedIn Sends Verification Codes
LinkedIn primarily sends verification codes to your phone via text messaging (SMS). The messages will come from a valid LinkedIn short code number:
– LinkedIn (US): 24771
– LinkedIn (Canada): 36591
– LinkedIn (UK): 38968
– LinkedIn (India): 93546
Short codes are 5 or 6 digit numbers used by brands for automatic texting. You cannot reply to LinkedIn’s short codes.
In some regions, LinkedIn may use long code phone numbers for verification texts instead, which support two-way messaging.
LinkedIn will only send codes when an action triggers their account verification processes, like signing up or logging in. You’ll never get unsolicited verification messages out of the blue. Any message will be tied to a specific activity requiring identity confirmation.
The text will address you by name and come from an official LinkedIn short code to confirm it’s authentic. But as a precaution, you should never share the actual verification code with anyone or click suspicious links.
Receiving Codes When You Don’t Have an Account
In rare cases, people report getting a LinkedIn verification code text even though they don’t have an account. There are a couple possible explanations for this:
– You previously created a LinkedIn profile but forgot about it. LinkedIn is texting you to complete the signup process. Check by resetting your password to see if an account exists.
– Someone else mistakenly entered your phone number when creating their LinkedIn profile. Contact LinkedIn to remove your number if it was used improperly.
– Your number was generated randomly as part of a LinkedIn SMS spam campaign. Report the message to LinkedIn as a scam attempt.
– Your phone number was recycled and a previous owner had a LinkedIn account. LinkedIn’s records may need updating to disassociate your number.
– You received a scam message falsely pretending to be from LinkedIn. Verify the sending number is a valid short code and be cautious of any links or calls requested.
If you keep getting LinkedIn codes without an account, change your phone number password pin and alert your carrier of potential spam texts. Avoid clicking any unknown links as they could be associated with malware.
Managing Your LinkedIn Account Security
Here are some tips to keep your LinkedIn account safe and secure:
– Turn on two-factor authentication for enhanced login protection requiring codes.
– Create a strong, unique password that isn’t used on other sites. Consider a password manager.
– Be cautious of spam or phishing texts requesting personal information or account access. Never share your password.
– Update your security settings if your number changes or you notice suspicious texts or logins.
– Use password protected devices and don’t save login credentials on shared computers.
– Check your LinkedIn activity regularly for any unauthorized posts, messages, or changes to your profile.
– Contact LinkedIn immediately if you believe your account was compromised. Reset your password and enable two-factor authentication.
Conclusion
Receiving a LinkedIn verification code text is typically nothing to worry about. In most cases, it’s LinkedIn themselves sending you a code to confirm your identity when signing up, logging in, or making account changes. The codes act as an extra security measure to prove you are the real account owner.
However, scammers may sometimes send spoofed LinkedIn texts pretending to require a code, so always exercise caution with unsolicited messages. Legitimate LinkedIn verification codes will only be sent after you initiate an activity that triggers identity confirmation. With SMS-based verification so prevalent today across many apps and sites, these types of codes are simply a routine part of managing your modern online accounts.