AT&T's $177M Data Breach Settlement: How to Claim Up to $7,500 Before the December Deadline

In the wake of two significant data breaches that exposed sensitive customer information, AT&T has established a $177 million settlement fund to compensate affected individuals. The telecommunications giant recently extended the deadline to file claims, providing a final opportunity for current and former customers to receive financial restitution for the security failures that compromised their personal data.

The Breaches: A Timeline of Security Failures

The settlement addresses two separate but equally concerning data incidents:

1. The 2019 Data Breach: Announced in March 2024, this incident exposed customers' Social Security numbers, names, addresses, dates of birth, and other personal details.

2. The 2024 Snowflake Hack: In July 2024, AT&T revealed that call and text records of customers were accessed through a vulnerability in the Snowflake cloud platform.

"These breaches represent significant failures in AT&T's data security infrastructure," noted cybersecurity analyst Dr. Marcus Reynolds. "The fact that they're spanning multiple years and different attack vectors suggests systemic issues rather than isolated incidents."

Settlement Funds and Potential Compensation

AT&T has established two distinct settlement funds to address the two separate breaches:

• AT&T 1 Settlement Class: A $149 million fund for customers affected by the 2019 data breach
• AT&T 2 Settlement Class: A $28 million fund for those impacted by the Snowflake hack

The potential compensation varies depending on which breach affected you:

• Up to $5,000 for documented losses from the 2019 breach
• Up to $2,500 for documented losses from the Snowflake hack
• A combined total of up to $7,500 for customers affected by both incidents

"Higher payments will be reserved for those who can prove any out-of-pocket damages," explained legal tech expert Sarah Jenkins. "If you can't provide specific documentation of losses, you'll still share in what's left after documented-loss claimants are paid, but the amount will likely be significantly less."

Determining Your Eligibility

The settlement covers any current or former AT&T customer whose data was accessed in either of the breaches. Eligible individuals should have received a notice via email or physical mail from Kroll Settlement Administration, the firm managing the settlement.

Email notices were sent from the address [email protected] starting August 4, 2025, and are expected to continue throughout the autumn. If you believe you should be included but haven't received a notice, you can contact the settlement administrator at 833-890-4930.

The Claims Process: Step by Step

Affected customers have two primary methods for submitting their claims:

Online Submission

1. Visit the official settlement website: TelecomDataSettlement.com
2. Click "Submit Claim"
3. Have your Class Member ID (from your notice), AT&T account number (or full name), and an email address ready
4. Complete the online form and submit

Mail Submission

For those who prefer not to submit online, printed forms are available for download:
- First data breach claim form
- Second data breach claim form
- Overlap form (for those affected by both breaches)

After printing, filling out, and signing the appropriate form(s), mail them to:

AT&T Data Incident Settlement
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
P.O. Box 5324
New York, NY 10150-5324

Critical Deadlines

The recent deadline extension provides a final window for claim submission:

• Claim Submission Deadline: December 18, 2025 (postmark date for mailed claims)
• Opt-Out and Objection Deadline: November 17, 2025
• Final Approval Hearing: January 15, 2026

Those who disagree with the settlement terms have until November 17 to opt out, allowing them to pursue legal action against AT&T independently. Formal objections must also be submitted by this date.

What to Expect After Filing a Claim

If the proposed settlement receives final approval in January 2026, payouts are expected to begin sometime during 2026. However, the process could face delays if appeals are filed.

"The timeline for these settlements is often extended due to legal complexities," commented data privacy advocate Michael Chen. "Affected individuals should be prepared for a potentially lengthy wait before receiving any compensation, even after the settlement is approved."

Beyond the Settlement: Strengthening Your Digital Defenses

While the settlement provides financial recourse, it doesn't address the root causes of the breaches or prevent future incidents. Security experts recommend that affected individuals take proactive steps to protect their data:

1. Monitor financial accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity
2. Consider freezing your credit as an additional precaution
3. Update passwords for all online accounts, especially those that might use the same credentials as your AT&T account
4. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible
5. Be vigilant against phishing attempts that may reference the breach

"Data breaches like these serve as a stark reminder that personal information is rarely truly secure in our digital age," concluded Reynolds. "While companies must improve their security practices, individuals must also take responsibility for protecting their own data."

As the December deadline approaches, affected AT&T customers face a critical decision: file a claim for potential compensation or opt out to pursue other legal avenues. Regardless of their choice, the settlement underscores the increasing frequency and impact of data breaches in our interconnected world.