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AT&T is adding an extra layer of protection to prevent unauthorized changes to your wireless account. The feature, called Wireless Account Lock, stops things like device upgrades, SIM or eSIM swaps, porting of mobile numbers, adding new lines, updating billing information, changing your phone number, and modifying authorized users.
Postpaid wireless account holders can enable or disable Account Lock from the myAT&T app. Go to Services > Mobile Security > Wireless Account Lock > Continue and pick the account you want to lock or unlock. Once locked, key account changes will be grayed out.
Account Lock can be enabled or disabled only by the primary and secondary users of the account. Each time one of them turns the feature on or off, an email will be sent to the primary account holder, while the rest will receive a text message.
Account Lock changes will affect every device and line on the account, including smartphones, tablets, wearables, hotspots, and laptops. It's also available for business and prepaid accounts.
The primary objective here is to protect your account from scammers. Through unauthorized SIM swapping, for example, bad actors with information about your account transfer your SIM to another device where they can intercept multi-factor authentication passwords for your other accounts. In 2021, SIM-swapping attackers stole $68 million from victims.
Since this is a security update, AT&T says it will never call or text you to turn off Wireless Account Lock. As noted by The Verge, similar protections are already available for T-Mobile, Verizon, and Google Fi customers.