Could AT&T owe you money? Customer data breaches lead to $177 million settlement
Some AT&T customers could be owed money from a $177 million settlement stemming from recent data breaches, according to news outlets.
On June 20, a judge in Dallas, Texas, gave preliminary approval of the agreement to resolve a pair of lawsuits against the telecommunications giant over the 2024 incidents, Reuters reported.
The breaches were disclosed in May and July of last year and were said to have exposed the private information — including text and call data — of “tens of millions” of AT&T customers, according to the outlet.
The preliminary court approval created two separate funds: $149 million benefiting customers impacted in one breach and $28 million for customers affected by the other, documents show.
AT&T has denied any wrongdoing.
“We have agreed to this settlement to avoid the expense and uncertainty of protracted litigation,” AT&T told McClatchy News in a statement.
“We remain committed to protecting our customers’ data and ensuring their continued trust in us.”
Here’s what you should know about the settlement:
Who’s eligible?
AT&T customers in the U.S. whose data was accessed in the 2022 breach, and “account owners, or line or end users” whose information was accessed in the 2024 breach may be eligible for a payout, NBC Chicago reported, citing court documents.
How do I file a claim?
Neither claim forms nor details about the claims process were available as of June 25.
However, AT&T said the settlement administrator will notify impacted customers — current and former — about the settlement starting this summer.
How much will I be paid?
Under the terms of the settlement, affected customers who “suffered losses fairly traceable” to the breaches can receive up to $2,500 or $5,000, depending on the breach involved, USA Today reported.
Once payouts for direct losses are issued, the remaining money will go to customers whose personal information was exposed, the outlet reported, citing court documents.
When will I be paid?
A hearing to finalize the settlement is set for Wednesday, Dec. 3, court documents say.
Customers can expect payments to be issued starting in early 2026, an AT&T spokesperson told McClatchy News.