Request for npm account recovery review: account linked to my GitHub and I still control the email

[suryacagur]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Product Feedback

Body

Hi npm/GitHub Community,

I need help understanding whether there is still a valid recovery path for my npm account.

Summary

I own the npm account:

• npm username: @suryacagur
• GitHub username linked to the npm account: @suryacagur
• I still control the email address associated with the npm account
• I forgot the npm password
• I lost my npm recovery codes
• The npm account was linked to my GitHub account, and I still have access to that GitHub account

I am not asking npm to transfer someone else’s username to me. I am asking whether my own account can be recovered or reviewed again through identity verification, because the npm account is linked to the same GitHub account and username that I control.

What I already tried

I contacted npm Support by email. The last response I received was:

We are unable to dis-associate personal email addresses like @gmail.com from an unrecoverable npm user account.

There is also no way to release an unrecoverable npm user account unless you hold a Trademark for the suryacagur name.

I understand the policy concern about not releasing usernames or transferring ownership without proper verification. However, my case is not a username dispute with another user. The npm account is mine, the linked GitHub account is mine, and I still control the associated email address.

My question

Is there any escalation or review process for recovering an npm account when:

1. The user still controls the registered email address,
2. The npm account is linked to a GitHub account,
3. The GitHub account has the same username,
4. The user can authenticate with that GitHub account,
5. The issue is lost password / lost recovery codes, not a username transfer request?

The npm documentation says that if a GitHub account was previously linked to the npm account, selecting “Connect to GitHub” during account recovery can help npm Support verify the account. I would like to know whether this can be used in my case for account recovery or 2FA reset review.

What I am requesting

Could someone from npm/GitHub clarify the correct path?

• Should I open a new npm Support ticket specifically under “Reset my two-factor authentication (2FA)”?
• Should I include proof that the npm account is linked to my GitHub account?
• Is there a way for npm Support to verify my ownership using my registered email and linked GitHub account?
• If the account is considered unrecoverable, can npm explain exactly why the linked GitHub account and email address are not enough for verification?

I am happy to provide private proof through official support channels, but I do not want to post sensitive personal information publicly.

Thank you.

[github-actions[bot]]

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