"Hi, thanks for contacting Verizon about the issue that we disconnected your phone number. Before I can work on the issue, I need to verify your account. Can I text you a code?"
"Ummmm, you disconnected my number."
"Oh. Let me email you. Oh no, you're a new account, I can't do that."
"Can I give you the account pin that you said would be used to verify the account."
"No sir, we cannot verify the account with a pin."
"So what do you suppose I do?"
"Ummm. Well sir, I understand this is very frustrating for you, but you need to provide us with a valid phone number to send a verification text."
"Ok, try *********"
"That is not an authorized number on your account sir."
"YOU DISCONNECTED THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER ON MY ACCOUNT."
"Please don't be angry sir, I'm doing my best to help you."
I had similar conversations with more than 20 reps over the course of 3 days.