AT&T data breach settlement: How to file claims, deadline

You have about a month left to claim a portion of the $177 million data breach settlement against AT&T. Last month, the filing deadline was extended to December, so there is still time to file a claim.

The first of two large-scale breaches was discovered in March 2024, after customer data became visible on the dark web. AT&T later revealed in a statement that the breach had compromised addresses, Social Security numbers and passcodes of users in the database in 2019. An even larger data breach was exposed in late 2024. The breach exposed nearly every AT&T customer’s telephone numbers and records of calls and texts, and occurred between approximately May 1, October 31, 2022, and January 3, 2023.

Following a class action lawsuit, courts ruled in June that the company would pay $177 million to affected AT&T customers who had accounts between 2019 and 2024. Claimants were divided into two classes: account holders affected by the March 2024 breach will share $149 million, while customers whose communications were downloaded in the July incident will share $28 million. According to the company, users who suffered financial losses were paid directly first – up to $5,000 for the first tier or $2,500 for the second.

Now, everyone else whose data was exposed is sharing the pile. However, affected customers should manage their expectations – $177 million is being divided among a large group of customers.

How to Claim Your AT&T Settlement Money

According to the settlement website, affected customers now have until December 18 to claim their deductions – affected users should have already received a settlement notice containing a class member ID. If you wish to opt out of the settlement, or object to your classification under the settlement, you must personally mail a request by November 17.

A final approval hearing for the settlement will be held on Jan. 15.

To get the payment, you have to fill the settlement claim form. You will need your Class Member ID, as well as an email address, AT&T account number or full name. Also be prepared to fill out payment information, such as direct deposit or check.

Who is eligible for AT&T settlement?

There are different eligibility requirements for the two settlement classes in case:

• For Class 1: Eligibility extends to any living person whose personal identifying information was exposed by the March incident

• For Class 2: Eligibility extends to AT&T account owners or “line or end users” whose numbers or direct communications were downloaded by bad actors.

How much money will I get?

Customers will be paid based on the severity of the data breach.

• For Tier 1: Individuals who have disclosed their Social Security numbers (Tier 1) will receive five times more money than those who have not (Tier 2).

• For Class 2: Individuals who did not prove documented financial loss will receive a portion of the remaining settlement funds (Tier 3)

Have questions? You can call the settlement hotline at (833) 890-4930 to get answers.