[justinclift]

On this note, I have an old google account that wasn't used for a while.

Tried to access it recently, signing in with the correct password, and it whinged at me.

Offered to confirm that I'm "me" via SMS message to an old phone number (probably from the UK). No idea what that number would have been, as I'm not in the UK any more.

Alternatively, it offered to email a verification token to my email address. Did that, received token fine.

Still couldn't access the account. So now... no access to that account, and there's no avenue to follow up.

So, even with the correct password, and verified email, that account is now forever dead. :(

No wonder I fully agree with the "these tech giants are irresponsible morons" crowd. They've very much proven the case through their actions.