AT&T deploys new account lock feature to counter SIM swapping | CyberScoop<\/title> <meta name=\"description\" content=\"AT&T has launched a feature to help prevent SIM swapping and unauthorized account changes, offering added security for both individual and business wireless customers.\"> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/att-wireless-account-lock-sim-swapping-protection\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"AT&T deploys new account lock feature to counter SIM swapping\"> <meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"AT&T has launched a feature to help prevent SIM swapping and unauthorized account changes, offering added security for both individual and business wireless customers.\"> <meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/att-wireless-account-lock-sim-swapping-protection\/\"> <meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CyberScoop\"> <meta 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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"stickybar\" class=\"stickybar stickybar--event js-stickybar\">\n<div class=\"stickybar__details\" readability=\"4.9180327868852\">\n<div class=\"stickybar__info js-sticky-bar-content\" readability=\"32\">\n<p>Voting is open for the 2025 CyberScoop 50 awards!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <a class=\"stickybar__link button button-tertiary\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cyberscoop50\/\">Click here!<\/a> <\/div>\n<p> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\"> <svg class=\"icon icon--close\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"m.822.518-.805.805L9.695 11 .017 20.678l.805.805 9.678-9.678 9.677 9.678.806-.805L11.305 11l9.678-9.677-.806-.805-9.677 9.677L.822.518Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \" readability=\"24.516516516517\">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\" readability=\"32.908805031447\">\n<ul class=\"single-article__eyebrow\">\n<li class=\"single-article__category\"> <a class=\"single-article__category-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/att-wireless-account-lock-sim-swapping-protection\/\"> <span>Technology<\/span> <\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> The feature is available for both consumer and business accounts. <\/p>\n<p>  <br \/>\n<audio id=\"audio-player\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-tts-cdn.api.scpnewsgrp.com\/cyberscoop\/85042\/english.openai.mp3\"><\/audio> <\/p>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p>0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping.jpg?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg 2673w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-2.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\"><figcaption> (Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"29.996417445483\"><body readability=\"59.810522442973\"><\/p>\n<p>AT&T widely launched its Wireless Account Lock feature Tuesday, aiming to strengthen customer protection against account takeovers and SIM-swapping attacks. <\/p>\n<p>The feature comes amid rising concern over SIM swapping and other social-engineering tactics that allow bad actors to compromise user accounts and take control of their phone numbers.<\/p>\n<p>The Wireless Account Lock, which had been rolling out in waves since earlier this year, is widely accessible for both individual and business customers. The feature follows similar options from competitors such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and Google Fi, which have already moved to bolster protections against SIM swapping and similar attacks.<\/p>\n<p>The feature is accessed exclusively via the company\u2019s app on a device tied to the account. If the registered device is inaccessible or lost, users must undergo extra authentication steps via AT&T\u2019s customer support to regain or restore control.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The lock can be toggled on or off at will. When changes occur, notifications are sent to the account\u2019s primary email and all active numbers, providing transparency about access changes and reducing the risk of surreptitious modification.<\/p>\n<p>AT&T prepaid customers are also covered by a variant of the lock, with comparable blocking features adapted for their account structure.<\/p>\n<p>When activated, Wireless Account Lock will restrict:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Changes to billing information, authorized users, and phone numbers<\/li>\n<li>Transfers of wireless numbers to new accounts<\/li>\n<li>Device purchases or upgrades billed to the account<\/li>\n<li>SIM or eSIM swaps between devices<\/li>\n<li>Addition of new lines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Only primary and secondary account holders can manage these lock settings. Regular users on multi-line accounts are prevented from performing significant operations that could expose the account to manipulation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On corporate plans, a Business Account Lock allows administrators granular control over which account features are restricted and for which lines.<\/p>\n<p>Even with the additional feature, phone accounts remain a gateway for broader identity theft, making additional controls at the carrier level a crucial defensive layer. Experts have noted for years that two-factor authentication and \u201cpassword-less\u201d systems \u2014 such as hardware tokens, authenticator apps, and passkeys \u2014 have become routine recommendations for online safety.<\/p>\n<p>In the wake of the Salt Typhoon breach that impacted accounts held by some of the most powerful government officials in the U.S., the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cisa-mobile-security-best-practices-salt-typhoon\/\">unveiled a detailed set of guidelines<\/a> to safeguard mobile communications, including measures to combat SIM swapping.<\/p>\n<p>You can read more about the account feature on <a href=\"https:\/\/about.att.com\/story\/2025\/wireless-account-lock.html\">AT&T\u2019s website<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\" readability=\"4.5\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"14\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping-1.jpg?w=640&ssl=1\" alt=\"Greg Otto\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Greg Otto<\/h4>\n<p> Greg Otto is Editor-in-Chief of CyberScoop, overseeing all editorial content for the website. Greg has led cybersecurity coverage that has won various awards, including accolades from the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Society of Business Publication Editors. Prior to joining Scoop News Group, Greg worked for the Washington Business Journal, U.S. News & World Report and WTOP Radio. He has a degree in broadcast journalism from Temple University. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p> <\/html><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"popular-stories popular-stories--single-post\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__container\">\n<h2 class=\"popular-stories__title\"> More Scoops <\/h2>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<section class=\"latest-podcasts\">\n<h2 class=\"latest-podcasts__title\"> Latest Podcasts\t<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"top-categories\">\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Government<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Technology<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/main> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--bottom \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"interstitial\" class=\"welcome__container\"> <button id=\"close-modal-1\" class=\"welcome__clickable_area\"><\/button> <\/p>\n<div class=\"welcome__ad_wrapper\">\n<p> <button id=\"close-modal-3\" class=\"welcome__continue-button\">Continue to CyberScoop<\/button> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>   <\/body> <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/att-wireless-account-lock-sim-swapping-protection\/\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AT&T deploys new account lock feature to counter SIM swapping<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[78,310,288],"tags":[86,311,294],"class_list":["post-7773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cybersecurity","category-technology","category-threats","tag-cybersecurity","tag-technology","tag-threats"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","chromenews-featured":"","chromenews-large":"","chromenews-medium":""},"author_info":{"display_name":"Cyber Scoop","author_link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/author\/cyberscoop\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/cybersecurity\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Cybersecurity<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/technology\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Technology<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/threats\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Threats<\/a>","tag_info":"Threats","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7773\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":7773,"date":"2025-07-01T13:23:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=85042"},"modified":"2025-07-01T13:23:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:23:04","slug":"att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2025\/07\/01\/att-deploys-new-account-lock-feature-to-counter-sim-swapping\/","title":{"rendered":"AT&T deploys new account lock feature to counter SIM swapping"},"content":{"rendered":"