Getting hacked shouldn’t pay your bills, but AT&T’s $177 million settlement might cover your losses from their 2024 data disasters. Two separate breaches exposed personal information from over 100 million customers—and now the telecom giant is cutting checks to make it right. This represents one of the largest telecom privacy payouts in U.S. history.
The Scope of AT&T’s 2024 Security Failures
The hackers struck twice in 2024, grabbing everything that matters:
- Social Security numbers
- Birthdates
- Addresses
- Phone numbers
- Account details
- Four-digit PINs
The first breach in March affected up to 73 million customers, while the July incident compromised data from as many as 110 million individuals. If you’ve ever been an AT&T customer, your personal information likely circulated on cybercriminal networks.
Settlement Payouts and Documentation Requirements
Maximum payout potential hits $7,500—but only if you were hit by both breaches and can prove specific financial losses. The March breach victims can claim up to $5,000 with documentation, while July breach victims max out at $2,500. Can’t prove losses? You’ll still get something through pro rata payments, though exact amounts remain unclear until all claims are tallied.
Documentation requirements are serious—you’ll need tax audit level proof connecting your losses to AT&T’s security failures. The settlement covers:
- Identity theft costs
- Credit monitoring fees
- Lost time dealing with fraud
- Other documented expenses directly linked to these breaches
Who Qualifies and How to File
Your eligibility is straightforward: current or former AT&T customers whose data was compromised in either incident. Some individuals appear in both breach classes, making them eligible for cumulative compensation if they can document losses from each incident separately.
File your claim through Kroll Settlement Administration at telecomdatasettlement.com before the cutoff, or you’re out of luck entirely. The claims process offers two paths: documented loss payments requiring proof of financial harm, or pro rata payments that don’t require documentation but typically result in smaller amounts.
Critical Deadlines and Next Steps
The December 18, 2025 deadline isn’t negotiable. Those wanting to opt out of the class action to pursue individual lawsuits must act by November 18, 2025.
AT&T maintains they’re not at fault, stating they agreed to settle “to avoid the expense and uncertainty of protracted litigation,” but your potential payout doesn’t depend on their admission of guilt. The final hearing happens January 15, 2026, after which payments will begin flowing to approved claimants.
Whether you’re claiming documented losses or taking the pro rata route, your portion of this historic settlement awaits—but only if you meet the filing deadline. Understanding your digital rights helps protect against future breaches.
