If you were affected by AT&T’s data breaches last year, you could be eligible to receive thousands of dollars from a $177 million class action settlement. But you’ll need to apply and may need to prove losses first.
AT&T suffered two separate data breach incidents in 2024, one on March 30 when AT&T announced that customer information including addresses, social security numbers and passcodes was released on the dark web, according to the settlement website.
On July 12, AT&T announced it had happened again, this time leading to hackers illegally downloading customers’ call and text records.
Lawsuits for both breaches were combined into class actions suits, alleging that AT&T failed to protect vulnerable personal data. The telecommuncations giant did not dispute the breaches happened but has denied any wrongdoing or mishandling of data, per a news release from Kroll Settlement Administration.
According to the lawsuit and a 2024 statement from AT&T, the breaches are believed to have affected more than seven million people who had AT&T accounts in 2024 and more than 65 million people who had AT&T accounts between 2019 and 2024.
Florida residents found scammers buying vehicles, applying for credit cards in their names
Two of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are from Florida.
Kimberly Holestin and Craig Marsh were both customers of assorted AT&T services and both had their personal information compromised in data breaches and shared to the dark web, according to the lawsuit. Both people saw unauthorized charges on Wells Fargo accounts set up to autopay AT&T fees and a flood of spam calls, texts and emails.
Holestin also found that several vehicles were purchased and registered in her name without her authorization. Marsh was contacted about a new checking account and two different credit cards someone tried to open in his name.
In a statement to USA TODAY, AT&T said it is “committed to protecting our customers’ data and ensuring their continued trust in us.”
“While we deny the allegations in these lawsuits that we were responsible for these criminal acts, we have agreed to this settlement to avoid the expense and uncertainty of protracted litigation,” the statement said.
Here’s what to know, and what to do next.
Who is eligible to file a claim in AT&T data breach settlement?
This settlement is a little more complicated than others. There are two settlement classes, or groups of eligible customers, who can file a claim, and different options for each.
The first class of eligible claimants includes AT&T customers who were impacted in the March 30, 2024 data breach.
The second class includes those who were included in the incident announced on July 12, 2024. Some customers may be included in both classes of eligible members.
Underneath those, there are different payment options depending on whether you can document losses due to the data breach.
Emails were sent to the people affected. Customers who are not sure if they are included in the settlement can call 833-890-4930 with questions.
How much money can claimants get in the AT&T settlement?
Eligible claimants can receive up to thousands of dollars depending on which settlement class they are part of.
Customers affected by the first data incident can claim up to $5,000 provided they can prove with documentation they suffered lossses in 2019 or later that are “fairly traceable” to the data breach.
Otherwise, claimaints may opt for one of two tiered cash payments which would be a share of the settlement fund that is left after administrative, attorneys’ fees, other costs, and service awards. The two tiers are:
For the July incident, AT&T customers who can document related losses on or after April 14, 2024 can get up to $2,500. Otherwise, claimants may submit a claim for:
Anyone with documented proof of losses in both breaches can get up to $7,500, according to the settlement website.
How to file a claim in AT&T settlement
AT&T customers who are eligible for the settlement can file a claim online at www.telecomdatasettlement.com.
Claims can also be sent by mail to AT&T Data Incident Settlement, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 5324, New York, NY 10150-5324.
When is the deadline to file a claim?
The deadline to submit a claim is Nov. 18, 2025. Online forms must be submitted by that date. Mailed claims must be postmarked by then.
AT&T customers may also choose to opt out of the class-action lawsuit by Oct. 17. You won’t get any share of the settlement, but you would retain the right to sue the company yourself in a separate lawsuit.
If you do neither of these things, you get no settlement and forfeit your right to sue over the breaches.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: AT&T $177 million settlement deadline. How to file for your payment after data breaches
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
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