AT&T agrees to $177M settlement for data breaches affecting 100M+ customers. Learn eligibility, payment amounts, and how to claim your share by Nov 2025.
If you’re a current or former AT&T customer, you might be entitled to compensation from a massive $177 million settlement that addresses two significant data breaches affecting millions of people. This settlement represents one of the largest telecom data breach payouts in recent history, and understanding your rights could put money directly in your pocket.
What Happened with the AT&T Data Breaches?
AT&T experienced two separate security incidents that compromised customer information on a massive scale. These data breaches exposed sensitive personal details of over 100 million current and former customers, leading to multiple class-action lawsuits against the telecommunications giant.
The 2019 Data Breach
The first incident dates back to 2019 but wasn’t confirmed by AT&T until March 2024. This data breach exposed highly sensitive information including:
- Social Security numbers
- Full names and birth dates
- Phone numbers
- Account details
This breach affected approximately 73 million people, including 7.6 million current customers and 65.4 million former customers. The stolen data eventually appeared on the dark web, where cybercriminals could access and misuse this personal information.
The 2024 Snowflake Incident
The second data breach occurred in April 2024 when hackers gained unauthorized access to AT&T’s account with Snowflake, a third-party cloud storage provider. This incident exposed call and text metadata for nearly all AT&T customers between May 1, 2022, and October 31, 2022.
While this data breach didn’t include names or Social Security numbers, it revealed communication patterns and phone numbers that customers contacted during that six-month period.
Settlement Details and Payment Structure
A federal judge in Texas granted preliminary approval for the $177 million settlement in June 2025. The agreement creates two separate compensation funds:
| Settlement Class | Amount | Affected Customers | Maximum Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Breach Fund | $149 million | 73 million customers with SSN/personal data exposed | $5,000 |
| 2024 Breach Fund | $28 million | 110 million customers with call records exposed | $2,500 |
Who Qualifies for Compensation?
You may be eligible for settlement payments if you fall into one of these categories:
Class 1 (2019 Breach)
- Current or former AT&T customers whose Social Security numbers were exposed
- Those with personal information compromised in the 2019 incident
- Higher tier payments for customers whose SSNs were included
Class 2 (2024 Breach)
- AT&T customers whose call/text metadata was accessed
- Those affected by the Snowflake cloud storage incident
- Equal share distribution from the $28 million fund
How Much Money Could You Receive?
The actual settlement amount you receive depends on several factors:
Maximum documented losses: If you can prove financial harm directly caused by these data breaches, you could receive up to $5,000 (2019 breach) or $2,500 (2024 breach).
Tiered flat-rate payments: For customers without documented losses, the settlement offers different payment tiers based on the type of data exposed. Those whose Social Security numbers were compromised receive 5 times more than those with only basic information exposed.
Shared fund distribution: Your final payment depends on how many valid claims are submitted. More claimants means smaller individual payments, but everyone with qualifying exposure receives something.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Understanding these critical dates ensures you don’t miss your opportunity for compensation:
- August 4, 2025: Claims process begins, settlement website launches
- October 17, 2025: Deadline to opt out or object to the settlement
- November 18, 2025: Final deadline to file your claim
- December 3, 2025: Final approval hearing
- Early 2026: Settlement payments distributed
How to File Your Claim
AT&T will notify eligible customers through email or postal mail starting in August 2025. You’ll receive instructions on how to access the settlement website and submit your claim form.
No documentation required: For standard tier payments, you won’t need to provide proof of damages.
Documented losses: If seeking maximum compensation, gather evidence showing financial harm caused by the data breaches, such as identity theft expenses or credit monitoring costs.
Additional Benefits
Beyond cash payments, the settlement may also provide eligible customers with up to 24 months of credit monitoring services to help protect against future identity theft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to prove I was harmed to receive money?
No, if your data was exposed in either data breach, you’re eligible for tier-based payments without proving specific financial damages.
Q: Can I receive money from both breach settlements?
Yes, if you were affected by both data breaches, you can file claims for both settlement funds.
Q: What if I no longer have AT&T service?
Former AT&T customers are eligible for settlement payments if their data was compromised during the relevant time periods.
This $177 million settlement represents a significant opportunity for affected AT&T customers to receive compensation for privacy violations. Mark your calendar for August 2025 when the claims process begins, and don’t miss the November deadline to submit your claim.
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