I don't know where OP is from, but over here(Poland) you need two forms of ID(Passport/national ID/driving licence) if you want the T-Mobile clerk to do anything for you in-store. I got quite annoyed once because I needed a new sim-card for my company phone, but despite having two forms of ID confirming that I am the company owner, they also wanted to see the incorporation papers saying so.
I'm not sure whether it's the reason T-Mobile is asking for it, but a number of countries have added identification requirements for mobile-phone services, due to pressure from law-enforcement agencies, who don't like the possibility that people can buy anonymous "burner" phones & SIMs. In Denmark nowadays nobody will sell you a SIM without tying it to a national ID number. Bank accounts have similar requirements, to combat money laundering and tax avoidance.
I had to bring my passport to get a pre-paid SIM card in Germany over 3 years ago, this isn't anything special.
The policy seems to be inconsistently applied tho, if you buy it at a large store they'll ask for an ID but you could also get the SIM cards at smaller kiosks and even stands at the airport (Libre mobile which is pretty much the provider for cheap migrant labor across Europe) they didn't seem to care that much.
As another data point. A few years a go I bought a sim card in Germany (mediamarkt I think). They asked for the Anmeldung document (proof of residence, needed also to open a bank account) and photocopied it.
Yeah, a couple of years back, I went to a t-mobile store (I think it was on Broadway and Park Pl) to get a new SIM card; I'd lost it in Europe when I was on holiday. They gave me a new SIM card and let me pay cash without even checking my ID…
Hm, curious. In Germany (and Austria, wherefrom I got my N9), it is perfectly fine to buy a phone. What you cannot do (legally) is buy a SIM card without ID – however, most shops just require you to fill in some form and don’t bother checking any form of ID.
I am from Europe and i can't do anything except a random consultation about products without providing an actual ID (passport or ID card) in bank. The same goes for SIM swap - i have to go to mobile operator client center and provide ID before getting a new SIM. Obviously this is not 100% safe as the bank/mobile operator employee still could be social engineered somehow but it sounds miles better than what you have in US.
In Thailand anytime a new SIM is activated an ID check is required. In the past I kept a SIM and I used to just move it between phones. Now when I want to move my eSIM between phones I need to go to the shop with my passport or do a video call with tech support and show my passport to them over the call. Such a pain in the ass.
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