Verizon didn't lock you out, the phone did. It is a security feature that prevents some who fines/steals your phone from constantly re-trying to log into the phone to get your personal information that might be stored in it.
You will need to do a "Factory Reset" of the phone to regain access.
This is simple to do, but you will have to re-setup your phone when it's done (Sign back into Google, re-download and install apps, etc. Any apps you purchased can be re-downloaded for free, as long as you sign in with your same Google account...
This procedure will wipe out all data on your SD card, so if you have pictures you need, take out the SD card and put in into a card reader and back them up from a PC before you do this!
To do a factory reset on the Eris when you can not get into the phone do the following:
1. Turn the device off by holding down the power button and then selecting power off (you will be informed that the phone will be shutdown; tap ok)
2. Simultaneously press and hold the Send and Volume Down buttons and while holding them, press the Power button
3. You are given a screen with various information -- simply press down the trackball with the world CLEARSTORAGE highlighted
4. The phone is completely wiped clean and will then reboot
5. Unlock the screen and select your language of choice (English or Spanish)
6. The DROID Eris will inform you that a special call needs to be made, and it will then connect to Verizon Wireless over the air programming
7. When prompted, press 1 to activate the phone
8. Once activated, proceed with the setup of the phone by following the on-screen directions as you did when you first purchased your DROID Eris.
