US telecommunications giant AT&T has recently been the victim of two major data breaches, which exposed the personal information of millions of current and former customers. AT&T has agreed to pay a large monetary penalty to settle the incident. It has created an opportunity for affected customers to claim compensation.
Under the settlement, affected customers can apply for financial compensation. The entire process and its various aspects are discussed in detail below.
Two data breach incidents
AT&T’s settlement mainly focuses on two data breaches revealed in 2024.
1. First data breach (March 2024): In this incident, personal information of about 73 million current and former AT&T customers, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers (SSN), was leaked on the dark web. This information is believed to have been stolen in 2019 or earlier.
2. Second Data Breach (July 2024): This incident occurred through a third-party vendor of AT&T. Hackers gained access to a cloud platform and stole sensitive information such as call and text records of many customers.
As a result of these two incidents, affected customers are at risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and other harassment.
Settlement Amount and Compensation Details
AT&T has agreed to establish a fund totaling $177 million to settle the data breach and compensate affected customers.
The amount of compensation will depend on which customers were affected by the data breach and the extent of their losses.
- For customers affected by the first data breach: Customers who were affected by the data breach disclosed in March 2024 and can provide evidence of their losses can receive compensation of up to $5,000. Priority will be given to those whose Social Security numbers were exposed.
- For customers affected by the second data breach: Those affected by the July 2024 incident who can provide proof of damages can apply for compensation of up to $2,500.
- For customers affected by both incidents: If a customer was affected by both data breaches, they can apply separately for both and may be eligible for compensation of up to $7,500.
Depending on the total number of applicants, those with no documented financial loss may also receive a certain amount as part of the settlement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Current or former AT&T customers whose information was compromised in one or both data breaches listed above can apply for compensation under this settlement.
The settlement administration, the Kroll Settlement Administration, is notifying eligible customers via email.
Suppose a customer has not received the email but believes they have been affected. In that case, they can also check if they can apply.
Application Process
The process for applying for compensation is as follows:
1. Visit the official website: To apply, a specific website (telecomdatasettlement.com) has been launched. You will need to visit this website and fill out the application form.
2. Provide the required information: To apply, you will need a Class Member ID, which will be mentioned in your email. If you do not have an ID, your eligibility can be verified on the website by providing your name, email address, or AT&T account number.
3. Submit proof of loss: If you are claiming compensation for a large amount of financial loss, you must submit proof of loss (such as bank statements, credit reports, receipts for the purchase of a service, etc.). The proof must be related to the data breach.
4. Submit the application: The application must be submitted online by filling out the form correctly and attaching the required documents. It is also possible to send the application by post.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for compensation is November 18, 2025. You must submit your application by this date or you will lose your chance to receive compensation.
Important Points
- Settlement Approval: This settlement is still awaiting final court approval. The court will announce its decision after a final hearing on December 3, 2025.
- Compensation Payment Timing: Compensation payments will begin after final court approval and any potential appeals are resolved. It may take some time to receive the money.
- Contact: If you have any questions about the settlement or want to find out if you are eligible, you can contact the Kroll Settlement Administration at (833) 890-4930.
This data breach by AT&T has once again highlighted the importance of protecting customers’ personal information. This settlement allows affected customers to recover some of their financial losses.
Hi, I’m M Saif, a digital marketer with a strong focus on SEO and content writing. I help businesses improve their online visibility, drive organic traffic, and create engaging content that converts. With a results-driven approach, I work on strategies that not only boost rankings but also deliver real value to audiences.