Jquery validation unique from other input (use class to differentiate)

unique.js

    jQuery.validator.addMethod("notEqualToGroup", function (value, element, options) {
        // get all the elements passed here with the same class
        var elems = $(element).parents('form').find(options[0]);
        // the value of the current element
        var valueToCompare = value;
        // count
        var matchesFound = 0;
        // loop each element and compare its value with the current value
        // and increase the count every time we find one
        jQuery.each(elems, function () {
            thisVal = $(this).val();
            if (thisVal == valueToCompare) {
                matchesFound++;
            }
        });
        // count should be either 0 or 1 max
        if (this.optional(element) || matchesFound <= 1) {
            //elems.removeClass('error');
            return true;
        } else {
            //elems.addClass('error');
        }
    }, jQuery.format("Please enter a Unique Value."))

This is used by jquery validator to ensure unique fields in a form

Simply add a class to the input field to differentiate them. Then in the validation rules add this

phone: {
      required: true,
      notEqualToGroup: ['.distinctphones']
   }

Ty

You are welcome @acmr93