The clock is ticking for millions of current and former AT&T customers to stake a claim in one of the largest data breach settlements of the year. With just weeks left before the November 18 deadline, eligible individuals could receive up to $7,500 in compensation from a $177 million settlement tied to two massive data breaches disclosed in 2024.
What Happened in the AT&T Breaches?
The telecom giant confirmed two separate incidents in 2024:
- March 30, 2024: Hackers accessed a dataset containing the personal information of roughly 73 million accounts — including Social Security numbers, birthdates, billing info, and passcodes. Much of this data was later discovered for sale on the dark web.
- July 12, 2024: A second breach revealed hackers had siphoned call and text record data from a third-party cloud platform. AT&T stressed that this incident did not involve Social Security numbers, birthdates, or other sensitive personal identifiers.
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Federal authorities, including the FBI, supported delaying public announcements of both breaches over national security concerns.
The fallout triggered multiple lawsuits, later consolidated into two class-action cases.
The Settlement: $177 Million at Stake
AT&T has agreed to pay $177 million to resolve the claims, without admitting fault. The package includes:
| Settlement Case | Amount | Eligible Claim | Breach Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T 1 | $149 million | Up to $5,000 | March 2024 breach |
| AT&T 2 | $28 million | Up to $2,500 | July 2024 breach |
A final approval hearing is scheduled for December 3, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Who Can File a Claim?
Eligibility depends on whether your information was compromised in the March or July breach—or both. Notifications are being sent by Kroll Settlement Administration (KSA) to affected individuals.
- AT&T 1 Settlement Class (March 2024):
- Up to $5,000 for documented financial losses.
- A tiered cash option for those without proof of loss. Victims whose Social Security numbers were exposed (Tier 1) will receive five times more than Tier 2 participants.
- AT&T 2 Settlement Class (July 2024):
- Up to $2,500 for documented financial losses.
Customers eligible for both settlements can file claims in each class.
How to File a Claim
- Deadline: November 18, 2025 (online or by mail).
- Opt-out deadline: October 17, 2025 for anyone who wants to pursue a separate lawsuit.
- Where to file: Kroll Settlement Administration website (claims portal).
- Support: Call KSA at (833) 890-4930 or email [email protected].
Applicants should receive a Notice ID and confirmation code once their claim is filed. Missing one? Contact KSA immediately.
If the settlement is approved in December, payouts are projected to begin in early 2026.
AT&T’s Response
The Dallas-based telecom maintains it was not directly responsible for the breaches, which it calls “criminal acts,” but agreed to settle to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.
“We remain committed to protecting our customers’ data and ensuring their continued trust in us,” AT&T said in a statement.
In comments to CNN earlier this year, the company also emphasized the March and July breaches were unrelated incidents.
FAQs:
What’s the maximum payout I can get?
Up to $5,000 for the March breach and $2,500 for the July breach, if you provide documented proof of losses.
Do I need proof to claim compensation?
Not always. Tiered payments are available for March breach victims without proof of financial harm, though amounts are lower.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
Eligible individuals are being contacted by Kroll Settlement Administration via email. You can also call their helpline.
