Comcast Data Breach: Millions Can Claim Settlement

Comcast has reached a preliminary $117.5 million settlement concerning a significant data breach that occurred in October 2023. This incident, disclosed in December 2023, involved the theft of personal information from millions of Xfinity customers. Data compromised included usernames, passwords, names, contact details, dates of birth, and partial Social Security numbers.

A class action lawsuit, Hasson v. Comcast Cable Communications LLC, alleged financial damages and costs associated with identity theft protection. While denying wrongdoing, Comcast agreed to the settlement, which now awaits final court approval scheduled for July 7. Affected customers have until August 14 to file a claim.

To be eligible for a payout, customers must have had their personal information accessed during the 2023 breach. Claimants can seek restitution for proven out-of-pocket losses or lost time, with a maximum cap of $10,000. Alternatively, an option exists to accept a $50 cash payment, subject to change based on the total number of claimants.

Beyond monetary compensation, the settlement mandates that Comcast provide identity defense services to affected individuals. Even those who do not file a claim can apply for these services. Opting out of the settlement is an option for those wishing to pursue individual legal action against Comcast.