ByAnish
AT&T Data Breach Settlement — Who’s Eligible & How to Claim
AT&T has set aside a $177 million settlement fund—$149 million for the March 2024 breach and $28 million for the July 2024 breach—offering eligible customers up to $7,500 in compensation. Claims opened on August 4, 2025, and must be filed by November 18, 2025.
???? What Happened?
AT&T suffered two major data breaches in 2024 that exposed sensitive customer information:
- March 2024 Breach: Personal data, including Social Security numbers and birth dates of about 73 million current and former customers, was leaked on the dark web.
- July 2024 Breach: Nearly all AT&T cellular users’ call and text records were compromised due to a third-party cloud platform vulnerability.
After nationwide lawsuits, AT&T agreed to a $177M settlement:
- $149M allocated to the personal-data breach.
- $28M allocated to the call/text-records breach.
???? Who Is Eligible?
✅ March 2024 Breach
- Who qualifies: Current and former AT&T customers impacted by the March leak (≈73M people).
- Max payout: Up to $5,000 for documented financial losses since January 1, 2019.
- Proof needed: Bank records, fraud charges, identity-theft remediation costs, or lost wages.
✅ July 2024 Breach
- Who qualifies: Nearly all AT&T wireless subscribers (plus some landline customers).
- Max payout: Up to $2,500 for losses after April 14, 2024.
- Proof needed: Evidence of fraud, unauthorized account access, or related expenses.
✅ Combined Claims
If you were affected by both breaches, you may claim up to $7,500, but you must submit separate claims and documentation for each incident.
???? Claim Process & Deadlines
- Check Eligibility
- Look for an email from [email protected].
- Or, verify via AT&T account number or class-member ID on the official settlement portal.
- Prepare Documentation
- Bank or credit card statements with fraudulent transactions.
- Receipts for identity-theft services, legal help, or lost wages.
- Any evidence “fairly traceable” to the breaches.
- File Your Claim
- Online: Through the official claims website.
- By Mail: Print and mail your claim form (postmarked by Nov 18, 2025).
- Key Deadlines
- Claim filing: November 18, 2025.
- Opt-out (to pursue your own lawsuit): October 17, 2025.
⏳ Next Steps & Timing
- Final court approval hearing: December 3, 2025 (Northern District of Texas).
- Expected payout date: Early 2026, depending on appeals.
⚠ A Word of Caution
While the headline figure is $7,500, most claimants will not receive the maximum. Settlements are typically distributed pro-rata after accounting for:
- The number of valid claims.
- Strength of supporting documentation.
- Legal fees and administrative costs.
???? Many experts predict that average payouts may be in the low hundreds, not the full maximum advertised.
???? Final Takeaways
- Act fast: Submit your claim by November 18, 2025.
- Gather strong evidence: More proof = higher payout.
- Understand the trade-off: Filing a claim waives your right to sue AT&T independently.
- Mark your calendar:
- Opt-out deadline: October 17, 2025.
- Court hearing: December 3, 2025.
- Stay realistic: Expect lower payouts after fees and pro-rata distribution.
???? Bottom line: If you’re an AT&T customer impacted by the 2024 breaches, don’t leave money on the table. File your claim early, provide clear documentation, and protect your right to compensation.
???? Stay tuned to TechBoltX for the latest updates on cybersecurity, tech law, and digital privacy.
