‘Email address already being used’

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  mahero88 · Member · May 6, 2021 at 10:50 am

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  I’m trying to change my email address but it says ’email address already being used’. I’m pretty sure I have not created a WordPress account with that email address. When I try to log in with it to see if I have created that account in the past, it creates a new account, proving that it didn’t exist in the first place. I then deleted that account, tried to change the email address on this account and the same message appears.

  Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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  a18s · Member · May 6, 2021 at 11:36 am

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  Hi there,

  Did you already have the chance to try recovery of your password?
  Here is the related form for that:
  https://wordpress.com/wp-login.php?action=lostpassword

  Since it is yours, it would trigger the creation of a new password and therefore you should gain access back to that account.

  Here is the related account recovery document for further details on your options:
  https://wordpress.com/support/account-recovery/

  The thread is also tagged so staff members can be alerted about it and help further should you need it. I am a volunteer here.

  Hope this helps, otherwise, let us know!

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  staff-mckluskey · Staff · May 6, 2021 at 11:45 am

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  Hi there!

  After you have deleted the account, the email address will be blocked for 30 days (it’s how long we keep the account before purging it) so, the best thing to do now would be to recover the account, change the email address there to a throw-away one, and change the address on this account to the desired one.

  To recover the deleted account, reply to the email you received after the account closure.

  I hope that makes sense :).

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  mahero88 · Member · May 6, 2021 at 4:03 pm

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  Thanks for your replies!

  Unfortunately when I try to log in to the deleted account the message “You’re not allowed to request a login link for this account”.

  When I try to recover the account using the recovery form I am unable to give Proof of Ownership as I have never actually signed up. (Nor do I have a website attached to that account).

  Seems I am completely stuck. Any way around it? Or am I destined to have to wait 30 days until the account is purged?

  Many thanks.

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  staartmees · Member · May 6, 2021 at 4:10 pm

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  “To recover the deleted account, reply to the email you received after the account closure.”