How to Claim Your Share of the AT&T Settlement

The public has been given an extra month to reclaim part of its dues in a recent data breach settlement against AT&T.

The first of two large-scale breaches was spotted in March 2024, AT&T said in a statement last year, compromising users’ addresses, Social Security numbers and passwords in a database dating back to 2019. An even larger data breach in 2024 exposed the call logs and text messages of nearly all of AT&T’s customers that occurred between May 1 and October 31, 2022 approximately, and January 3, 2022. 2023.

In June, the courts ruled that the company would distribute $177 million to affected AT&T customers who had accounts between 2019 and 2024. The plaintiffs were divided into two categories: account holders affected by the March 2024 breach would share $149 million, while customers whose communications were downloaded during the July incident would share $28 million. Direct payments – up to $5,000 for the first class or $2,500 for the second – to users who suffered direct financial losses were made first, according to the company.

Now everyone else whose data was exposed splits the stack.

How to Claim Your AT&T Settlement Money

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

To get paid, you must complete the claim form. You’ll need your Class Member ID, as well as an email address, AT&T account number, or your full name. Also be prepared to fill out payment information, such as direct deposit or check.

Who is eligible for the AT&T settlement?

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

• For Class 1: Eligibility extends to any living person whose personally identifiable information was exposed in the March incident.

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

How much money will I receive?

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

• For class 1: people whose social security number has been exposed (level 1) will receive five times more money than those who have not (level 2)

• For Class 2: Individuals who have not proven a documented financial loss will receive a share of the remaining settlement funds (Tier 3)

Do you have any questions? You can call the settlement hotline (833) 890-4930 for answers.