🔒Major US Carriers Boost SIM Swapping Protections
Your phone number is safer now, but not foolproof
TL;DR
Major US carriers are beefing up their defenses against SIM swapping attacks. AT&T's Wireless Account Lock and T-Mobile's SIM Protection aim to prevent unauthorized changes. Verizon offers both SIM Protection and Number Lock for added security.
SIM swapping attacks, where scammers transfer victims' phone numbers to their own devices, have prompted major US carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon to enhance account protection measures. These new tools can help safeguard personal accounts from unauthorized access by requiring additional verification steps or blocking number transfers altogether. For instance, AT&T's Wireless Account Lock prevents any changes to billing information without explicit user approval. Similarly, T-Mobile’s SIM Protection requires users to confirm their identity before allowing SIM card swaps. Verizon offers both SIM Protection and Number Lock features on its website and mobile app, adding an extra layer of security by requiring passkeys or voice verification for sensitive actions.
Key Points
AT&T's Wireless Account Lock prevents unauthorized changes like billing updates or number transfers without explicit user consent.
T-Mobile’s SIM Protection requires users to confirm their identity through multi-factor authentication before allowing SIM card swaps.
Verizon offers both SIM Protection and Number Lock features, requiring passkeys or voice verification for sensitive actions on its website and app.
To enable SIM Protection on Verizon's site, select Profile and settings, then click the link for SIM Protection; follow up with Number Lock for added security.
AT&T users can set up Wireless Account Lock by tapping the person icon in their app, swiping down, and selecting the setting.
Why It Matters
If you're using AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, these new protections could save your phone number from being hijacked. For example, enabling SIM Protection on T-Mobile can prevent unauthorized SIM swaps by requiring multi-factor authentication. However, smaller carriers may not offer similar safeguards yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this matter?
If you're using AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, these new protections could save your phone number from being hijacked. For example, enabling SIM Protection on T-Mobile can prevent unauthorized SIM swaps by requiring multi-factor authentication. However, smaller carriers may not offer similar safeguards yet.
What happened?
Major US carriers are beefing up their defenses against SIM swapping attacks. AT&T's Wireless Account Lock and T-Mobile's SIM Protection aim to prevent unauthorized changes. Verizon offers both SIM Protection and Number Lock for added security.
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