OOPS! You Have Multiple LinkedIn Accounts - Here's How to Fix It (it's not easy...)

Full disclosure: I help people with LinkedIn for a living. It's literally what I do for my business. And even I find this process confusing!!!

If you have discovered (or been told) you have multiple LinkedIn profiles, you’re not alone. Many of my past clients have discovered the same thing and they weren’t even aware. Typically, this happens for a few reasons:

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1.? You forgot you set up an account years ago, and you created a new account recently. This is the most common mistake.

2.??You forgot your LinkedIn login email, or you no longer have access to the email since it was at a previous employer. This is the second most common issue.

3.??Someone created a LinkedIn account using your name, and is posing as you on LinkedIn, without your approval. This is very uncommon, but does occur!

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Whatever the reason, it’s best to CLOSE OUT any inactive LinkedIn accounts with your name, so that people aren’t inviting that inactive profile to connect. The fastest way to delete a duplicate / inactive account is by logging in and closing the account (if you know the email). If you don’t know the email, you’ll have to request help from LinkedIn.

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First, Try Any Emails You Might Have Used

?Log out of your active account, and try logging back in with any other possible emails.

1.???Click on?Forgot password?on the Sign-in screen.

2.???Enter the possible email address or phone number you may have used on the duplicate account and click on?Reset password. If LinkedIn has an account with that email, they’ll send you a verification code sent to your email.

• If you know the email but don’t have access to the email account, click on?Can’t access this email?
• You may be prompted with an alternative email or phone number associated with that account. If you do not have access to any of them, click on?Don't have access to any of these?
• Next, LinkedIn will ask you to verify your identity by providing an image of a valid government issued ID. After you submit the image, LinkedIn will process your information and contact you for further assistance. They ask for your ID card to ensure that only you regain access to your account.

Then, if you can access the inactive account, Close it. Here's how.

1.???Log in to the inactive account. NOTE: If you have a lot of data / connections on this account, you may wish to export a copy before deleting your account.

2.???Go to this page in Privacy & Settings / Account Preferences: https://www.dhirubhai.net/mypreferences/d/close-accounts

3.???Follow the on-screen instructions to Close your inactive account.

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Don’t Know the Email for Your Inactive Account? Contact LinkedIn Customer Support

Visit this link to get customer support from LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/help/linkedin/answer/a518597/contact-linkedin-customer-service?lang=en-us&intendedLocale=en

(this link is also listed on https://www.mellermarketing.com/contactlinkedin)

If for any reason LinkedIn sends you back to the login page, hang in there! They are trying to make this a self-service process. And keep in mind that the above Customer Support link is as of the day this newsletter was published, and it's entirely possible it will change. Again, they are trying to make this a self-service process.

If you get stuck and need help, reach out to me.

I do offer 1-to-1 LinkedIn coaching services -- including a "Power Hour" session, and we can first work on deleting your inactive account, and then spend the remaining time optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Visit this to learn more:

https://www.mellermarketing.com/1-to-1-linkedin-coaching

Or, email me at [email protected]

And Remember: You're Not Alone!

I work with clients all the time who have duplicate LinkedIn accounts. The most I've seen is five (5) accounts for one person -- who didn't even remember setting them up! For this reason, I also recommend doing a LinkedIn search for your name once a year. You never know until you look!

Find this helpful? Comment below and let me know.