AT&T goes McGruff on crooks

Whispers are humming on an unconfirmed AT&T plan that aims to take a bite outta crime. The Verge cites an unnamed source saying the new service, which will allow customers to block voice and data on their accounts because of a stolen phone, will be announced next Tuesday.

The service will allow customers to deny voice, data and SMS access to any individual phone or tablet while keeping their account intact, avoiding the inconvenience of a full SIM block.

The announcement is, most likely, part of AT&T’s compliance with the FCC initiative to build a national database of stolen phones. The first step in the national list is for each of the four major wireless carriers to build individual lists of stolen phones by this October.