Former and current AT&T customers are eligible to receive up to $7,500 as part of a settlement involving class-action lawsuits over two major data breaches.
The telecommunications giant said earlier this month that it has reached a proposed settlement of $177 million – including $149 million for the first class-action lawsuit and $28 million for the second.
The first case involved a data breach revealed in March 2024 that impacted 73 million current and former account holders.
Hackers stole personal information like birth dates and Social Security numbers and spread this data across the dark web.
A second breach announced in July 2024 compromised the call and text records of “nearly all” of AT&T’s customers.
Those logs were downloaded by hackers onto a third-party platform.
The $177 million settlement is still awaiting approval, with a final hearing scheduled for Dec. 3 in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Current and former customers can file for compensation if their data was jeopardized in the breach ahead of the December hearing.
Eligible customers will receive an email alert from [email protected] – the address for Kroll Settlement Administration.
Customers who are unsure if they qualify can call (833) 890-4930, KSA said.
How do I file for payment?
To receive compensation, you must fill out a claim form at telecomdatasettlement.com by Nov. 18.
If you choose to file a claim, you forfeit your right to sue AT&T.
How much payment can I expect?
Those impacted by the March 2024 data breach are eligible for up to $5,000, according to the settlement website. They can make claims for losses “that occurred in 2019, or later.”
Customers affected by the July 2024 breach are eligible for up to $2,500 “for losses that occurred on or after April 14, 2024.”
Those impacted by both hacks are eligible for up to $7,500 as an “overlap settlement class member.”
AT&T will require documentation of the losses to show they are “fairly traceable” to the data breaches.
When will I receive payment?
Payouts likely won’t be sent out until the end of the year at the earliest, but could take longer if appeals are filed after the Dec. 3 hearing.
It will also take time for the claim forms to be processed, according to the settlement claim site.
Credit: Source link
