Apple ID email linked to unknown number and account

Email Already Linked to Apple ID with Unknown Phone Number (Case ID: 10*********)

Hi everyone,

I need some guidance regarding an Apple ID issue that I’ve been unable to resolve through regular support channels.

I recently bought a new iPhone and tried to create a new Apple ID. However, I received a message saying that my email address is already being used for an Apple ID.

When I tried to reset the password through iforgot.apple.com, it asks me to verify a trusted phone number ending in 34, which I have never owned.

I contacted Apple Support and they opened a case (Case ID: 10*********).

However, the advisor told me that it is not possible to change the account recovery options or remove the unknown trusted phone number unless I can verify that number — which I cannot, because it does not belong to me.

From my understanding, this is not a normal password reset issue.

This seems to be an Apple ID identity problem, because my email is attached to an account I never created, with someone else’s trusted phone number.

I am looking for advice from the community on:

1. How to escalate this to the Apple ID Account Security team or a Senior Advisor, since first-level support cannot override a trusted number.
2. Whether anyone has experienced a similar issue and how it was resolved.
3. Any recommended next steps to reclaim the Apple ID using email-only verification.

Any guidance or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Edited by Moderator]