The Hidden Cost of Changing Your Contact Information
We don’t think much about our email address or cell phone number—until we have to change them. Then the reality hits: these pieces of digital identity are woven into almost every part of our personal and professional lives. From multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes to password resets, from banking alerts to airline notifications, our ability to access services and verify our identity often hinges on having a stable email and phone number.
I was reminded of this recently when I had an unexpected $50 charge on my business credit card. It was clearly an error, and the vendor refused to reverse it. My credit card company offered to issue a chargeback—but only if they canceled my current card and issued a new number. On the surface, that sounds like a reasonable fix. But as soon as they explained me needing a number credit card number, my stomach sank.
That credit card number isn’t just for occasional purchases—it’s tied to dozens of recurring charges, subscription services, and travel accounts. All are professional, and some I probably wouldn’t even remember until a charge failed. Each change would mean logging in, updating payment information, and in some cases re-verifying my identity. We’re not talking about ten minutes of work; we’re talking hours, maybe days.
In the end, I did the math. My time is worth more than the $50. So I let the charge stand, because the hassle of making the change simply wasn’t worth the disruption.
This same principle is playing out for thousands of people losing access to their long-held college email accounts. As reported recently in The Chronicle of Higher Education, schools like Temple University, Vanderbilt, and Wright State are ending lifetime alumni and retiree email services. Universities cite increased cybersecurity risks and the end of unlimited free storage from Google as reasons for the change.
For alumni and retirees, the impact is immediate and personal. Some have used their .edu accounts for decades, tying them to bank logins, medical portals, streaming services, professional contacts, and MFA systems. One retiree noted that their alumni association now has outdated contact information for hundreds of members. Another alumnus worried about losing years of professional correspondence and recruiter connections.
In both my credit card story and the alumni email situation, the underlying problem is the same: when core identifiers change—whether it’s a card number, email address, or phone number—the disruption cascades. It’s not just “inconvenient.” It can break access to financial systems, lock people out of accounts, and cause missed opportunities or obligations.
In a time when cybersecurity threats are real, having stable, secure, and long-term access to your primary contact points isn’t just convenient—it’s essential. Before you change that number or email, weigh the full scope of the disruption. Sometimes, like in my case with that $50 charge, the “easy” fix isn’t the most efficient solution.
