AT&T Data Breaches: $177M Settlement & Payouts

AT&T customers impacted by significant data breaches may be eligible for compensation through a $177 million settlement. The telecommunications giant faced two major incidents, one between 2019 and 2021 exposing social security numbers and other personal data of 73 million users. A subsequent breach in July 2024 saw phone records of nearly all customers downloaded onto a third-party platform.

Affected customers can claim up to $5,000 for the first breach and up to $2,500 for the second. Those affected by both incidents could be entitled to a combined total of $7,500. The settlement aims to cover financial losses traceable to the breaches, such as fraudulent charges or identity theft protection costs. Documentation will be required for reimbursement claims.

The deadline to submit a claim is Thursday, December 18th. Customers without direct financial losses can still opt for a Tier Cash Payment, with varying amounts based on the type of data compromised. Experts criticize the company's data management practices, suggesting a lack of robust security protocols, and highlight the permanent risks associated with exposed personal information.