Are the file number and client ID basically the same? If they ask you to put the file number in an email, and you put the client ID instead...do you think this is a problem? can't they access your info with either or?
No, they are not the same. My client ID was 8 numbers, and I had two file numbers, one starting with a B and the other with an F. That said, before I had my file numbers, they were able to locate my file using my husband's client ID, which was similar to mine but not the same.
If in doubt, always provide full names and DOB to go with information.