Our verdict: 5.8/10
Wireless Account Lock is worth enabling for every AT&T line. It is a single switch on a mass-market account, though, and offers no coverage if an attacker gets past it. High-risk users need more than one lock.
At a glance
- Price
- Included with AT&T plans
- SIM swap coverage
- None
- Port-out safeguard
- Wireless Account Lock (opt-in)
Key security features
- Wireless Account Lock to block SIM changes and number transfers
- Account passcode
Pros and cons
What we like
- No extra cost
- One setting covers several kinds of account change
- Large nationwide network
What to weigh
- Opt-in: off until you turn it on
- Large retail and phone support footprint to social-engineer
- No financial coverage for SIM swap losses
Score breakdown
| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| SIM swap defense | 25% | 7/10 |
| Port-out protection | 20% | 7/10 |
| Loss coverage | 15% | 0/10 |
| Privacy & data handling | 15% | 5/10 |
| Network & travel | 10% | 9/10 |
| Support | 10% | 5/10 |
| Value for the risk | 5% | 9/10 |
| Overall | 100% | 5.8/10 |
Scores follow our published methodology.
How AT&T compares with Efani
Efani ranks first because it layers three defenses that AT&T does not match together: an 11-layer authentication protocol on every account change, a mandatory 14-day cooling-off period before any port-out, and up to $5 million in coverage if a SIM swap succeeds anyway.
If you stay with AT&T, switch on every lock and PIN it offers, and move your important accounts off text-message codes to an authenticator app or passkey. Our SIM swap guide walks through each step.
Other services we ranked
- #1 Efani — 9.7/10, best overall
- #2 Cape — 7.6/10, best for privacy
- #3 Verizon — 6.0/10, best mass-market carrier
- #5 T-Mobile — 5.5/10, basic protection