I recently experienced identity theft, and someone tried to steal my cell phone number. That experience is why I’m encouraging anyone with an AT&T wireless account to activate Wireless Account Lock now, before they need it.

A phone number can be connected to much more than calls and text messages. It may also be part of the process used to verify your identity when signing into email, financial accounts, and social media. Losing control of that number can create problems well beyond your phone bill.

AT&T offers a free security feature called Wireless Account Lock that blocks certain account changes while it is enabled. Below, I’ll explain when AT&T introduced it, why someone would want to steal your number, how to activate the lock, and when you might need to temporarily turn it off.

Someone Tried to Steal My Phone Number

Last week I got an e-mail from T-Mobile congratulating me on my new account and changing my phone numbers over to them. Problem was- that wasn’t me.

I was lucky to have a criminal that was not so bright, and they used my real e-mail. Otherwise, I would not have known this was happening.

I was able to check the order status, and the person had ordered Internet and three phones with eSIMS and one of them was my phone number. I did not have Wireless Account Lock activated, because I had no idea it was an option!

I also found the charges for it on my credit card. Apparently, this thief had a lot of my personal information.

Luckily, I was able to intercept this order and get it shut down and alerts put on the fraudulent account. If I’d had the account locked, it may have avoided this in the first place.

What Is AT&T Wireless Account Lock?

AT&T Wireless Account Lock helps protect your account by disabling specific transactions, including:

• SIM and eSIM swaps.
• Device upgrades and changes to device identifiers.
• Phone number changes and transfers between carriers.
• Adding or removing wireless lines.
• Changes to authorized users and certain billing details.

For a standard AT&T Wireless account, it covers every device and line on the account. Users with primary or secondary online access can manage it.

Think of it as an extra checkpoint before someone can make changes that could put your phone number or account at risk.

When Did AT&T Introduce Wireless Account Lock—and Why?

AT&T publicly announced Wireless Account Lock on July 1, 2025, describing it as a free way to add protection against unauthorized account changes. I feel they also could have sent something out notifying us of this new option! Or maybe they did and I missed it.

AT&T explained that criminals often impersonate customers after obtaining their login information through phishing emails, text messages, or fake websites.

The feature adds a step before sensitive transactions can happen: the account must be unlocked first. AT&T specifically highlighted protection against unauthorized device purchases and SIM swaps.

That extra step matters because a stolen password can be the beginning of an account takeover. Blocking sensitive changes gives customers another layer of protection.

Why Would Someone Try to Steal Your Phone Number?

A criminal usually isn’t interested in your number because they want to make phone calls. They want the verification messages sent to it.

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s explanation of SIM swap scams, someone who takes control of your number could receive text verification codes and use them, along with other stolen credentials, to access financial, email, or social media accounts. They could change passwords and lock you out. Criminals may also use your information to open cellular accounts or obtain phones.

Two common methods of stealing control of a number are:

• SIM swapping: Moving your number to a SIM or eSIM controlled by the criminal.
• Port-out fraud: Transferring your number to an account with another wireless carrier.

Both can redirect incoming calls and texts to the attacker.

Stealing a phone number does not automatically unlock every account you own. The danger depends on the other information the attacker has and how each service verifies logins or password resets.

Still, it explains why protecting your number deserves the same attention as protecting your passwords.

How to Activate AT&T Wireless Account Lock

For a standard AT&T Wireless account, use the AT&T app on a device active on your account. You’ll need primary or secondary online account access.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the AT&T app and sign in.
2. Tap the Account or person icon from the Home screen.
3. Scroll down and select “Wireless account lock.”
4. Choose the account you want to lock, if you manage more than one.
5. Swipe from left to right on “Swipe to lock.”
6. Check that the account shows as locked.

AT&T sends an email to the primary account holder and a text to each active wireless number when the lock is turned on or off.

Instructions for AT&T Prepaid

AT&T Prepaid uses a different menu:

1. Sign into the AT&T app.
2. Choose your number if prompted, then select Continue.
3. Open Profile & Settings, then Account Info & Preferences.
4. Under Wireless Account Lock, select Turn on.
5. Enter the one-time code sent to your Prepaid device into the PIN Code field and select Validate.

For standalone tablets or hotspots, contact AT&T for help managing the lock.

Why Might You Need to Deactivate Wireless Account Lock?

The lock also blocks legitimate changes. You may need to temporarily disable it to upgrade a phone, replace a SIM, switch carriers, add or remove a line, or update protected account information.

For example, if a family member wants to buy a new phone, someone with permission to manage the lock may need to unlock the account before the transaction can proceed. AT&T specifically mentions this situation in its announcement.

To unlock a standard wireless account:

1. Open the AT&T app.
2. Tap the Account or person icon.
3. Select Wireless account lock.
4. Choose the account, if prompted.
5. Tap Unlock account.

The Unlock Account button is big and easy to find. The photo above is from a screenshot on my phone.

My recommendation is to unlock it when you are ready to make the change, then turn the protection back on after you finish.

Be Suspicious of Anyone Asking You to Turn It Off

AT&T says it will never call or text you asking you to turn off Wireless Account Lock.

That is an important distinction: you might choose to unlock your account for a transaction you initiated, but an unexpected caller asking you to disable protection should raise concerns.

Rather than following instructions from an unsolicited message, open the official app yourself or contact AT&T through a trusted channel.

What Else Should You Do to Protect Your Number?

Wireless Account Lock is one layer of protection. It doesn’t replace good account security habits.

Use a strong, unique password for your wireless account and protect your account PIN or passcode. For sensitive accounts, the FTC recommends considering an authenticator app or security key instead of relying entirely on text verification.

If your phone unexpectedly loses service or you receive a notification about a SIM change you didn’t request, contact your carrier immediately. Check financial accounts for unauthorized activity, too.

Don’t Wait Until Someone Targets Your Account

Someone trying to steal my phone number made this issue personal. It also gave me a reason to share a security setting that other AT&T customers may have overlooked.

You don’t need to wait for an identity theft attempt to review your account protection. Open the AT&T app, check your Wireless Account Lock setting, and consider enabling it now.

A little preparation is much easier than dealing with someone else taking control of your number.