Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET's key takeaways
AT&T's $177 million settlement is for data breaches in 2019 and 2024.
Claim up to $5,000 (first breach) and $2,500 (Snowflake hack), or both.
File claim by Dec. 18, 2025, either online or by mail.
If you're a current or former AT&T customer, the deadline to file a claim to be part of the $177 million class-action settlement over two major data breaches has been extended. The breaches -- one dating back to 2019 and a second in 2024 -- exposed Social Security numbers, call and text records, names, addresses, dates of birth, and more.
Also: I compared 5G network signals of Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T at a baseball stadium - here's the verdict
AT&T created two settlement funds: a $149 million pool for customers whose personal details were leaked in the first breach (announced March 2024) and a $28 million pool for those whose call and text logs were exposed in the Snowflake hack (July 2024).
Kroll Settlement Administration, the firm managing the settlement, opened the claim process in August for affected customers so that they can be paid out from one or both funds. Here's how and when to file.
How much can I get from the settlement?
If you file a claim, you could receive up to $5,000 from the first fund (called AT&T 1 Settlement Class) and $2,500 from the second (AT&T 2 Settlement Class) -- so dual-breach victims might get as much as $7,500.
Also: AT&T customers will soon get their own AI receptionist to answer calls and block spam
Your exact payout will depend on how many people apply, but higher payments will be reserved for those who can prove any out-of-pocket damages. You'll need to submit documentation that's "fairly traceable" when you file a claim to be eligible for that higher payout. If you can't prove specific losses, you'll still share in what's left after documented-loss claimants are paid.
How do I know if I qualify?
The settlement covers any current or former AT&T customer whose data was accessed in one of the breaches. If you're eligible, you'll receive a notice by email or physical mail from Kroll Settlement Administration.
Also: Preorder the iPhone 17 at AT&T and get up to $1,100 off now - here's how
According to the settlement website, email notices were sent to customers from the address [email protected]. The notices started rolling out on Aug. 4, 2025, and are expected to continue throughout autumn. If you believe you should be included in either part of the AT&T settlement but have not received anything yet, you can call the settlement administrator at 833-890-4930.
How to submit your claim
You can file a claim either online or by mail.
Online
Go to TelecomDataSettlement.com, click "Submit Claim," and have your Class Member ID (from your notice), AT&T account number (or full name), and an email address handy.
By mail
If you don't want to file the claim online, you can download and print the PDF forms for the first data breach, the second breach, or the overlap form if you were part of both breaches. Print, fill out, and sign the forms, then mail them to:
AT&T Data Incident Settlement
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
P.O. Box 5324
New York, NY 10150-5324
Also: Lock down your AT&T account to prevent SIM-swapping attacks - here's how
Just make sure your mailed claim is postmarked by Dec. 18, 2025.
When is the deadline to file a claim?
Thanks to a new deadline extension, settlement claims now need to be submitted by Dec. 18, 2025.
Also: AT&T will sell you the iPhone Air for $830 off right now - how to qualify for the deal
If you disagree with the settlement and want to opt out so you can sue AT&T yourself, you'll need to do so by Nov. 17, 2025. That's also the last day to file any formal objections. The final approval hearing for the proposed settlement is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026.
When will the payouts begin?
If the proposed settlement is approved in January, payouts will likely begin sometime in 2026, although appeals could delay the process.
Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.