AT&T settlement: What's the deadline to file a claim - Know the eligibility and process to file compensation

A $177 million settlement tied to two AT&T data breaches announced last year is nearing its claim deadline. The breaches prompted litigation, and although the parties agreed to settle earlier this year, AT&T maintains it did nothing wrong, according to the settlement administrator’s August notice.

The window to file a claim has been pushed back by one month from the original November 18 cutoff. Anyone who believes they qualify for compensation now has until December 18 to submit their claim. Those filing by mail must ensure their forms are postmarked no later than that date. Qualified claimants can pursue compensation by completing the required form.

HOW MUCH COULD YOU GET IN AT&T’S $177 MILLION SETTLEMENT

AT&T has agreed to a total settlement of $177 million - with $149 million allocated for the first case and $28 million for the second, reported Austin American-Statesman. Before any payments can be issued, the settlement still needs approval from the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, which is scheduled to hold a final hearing on December 3.

HAVE YOU GOT AN EMAIL FROM SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATOR?

According to Kroll Settlement Administration, the settlement administrator, email notices are being sent to members of the settlement class from attsettlement@e.emailksa.com. These messages include details about the settlement and outline recipients’ rights and options.

KNOW THE ELIGIBILITY IN THE AT&T DATA BREACH SETTLEMENT

The case involves two groups: the AT&T 1 Settlement Class and the AT&T 2 Settlement Class. The first covers the data breach AT&T disclosed on March 30, 2024, while the second concerns a breach disclosed on July 12, 2024.

Here’s a brief look at who may qualify, though full criteria are listed on the settlement administrator’s site:

AT&T 1 Settlement Class: US individuals whose information - such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth and other data-appeared in the AT&T 1 incident, in which a dataset surfaced on the dark web.

AT&T 2 Settlement Class: AT&T account holders, line users and others whose phone numbers and related information 'may have been accessible' after data was downloaded from a company workspace on a third-party cloud platform.

Some individuals may qualify for benefits from both classes. Those affected by both data breaches could receive up to $7,500 in compensation.

HOW TO FILE AT&T SETTLEMENT CLAIM?

You can file a claim online at www.telecomdatasettlement.com or choose to send in a completed claim form by mail instead.

WHEN WILL AT&T SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS ARRIVE?

According to Desert Sun, the settlement’s final approval hearing is set for January 15, 2026. The settlement administrator noted that any appeals could extend the timeline, and processing all submitted claim forms will also take time.