AT&T data breach lawsuit: Can you actually receive a $750 settlement?
Written by ITL Attorney, Posted in Consumer Law, Contract Law, Cybersecurity Law
Answer: Maybe. If you’re a current or former AT&T customer whose Personally Identifiable Information (PII) was compromised in the breach, you may be entitled to a significant compensation payout in a class action lawsuit.
Lawsuit Update: California residents, in particular, could be eligible for up to a $750 settlement amount under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Eligibility and compensation amounts can vary based on the specific impact of the exfiltration of your personal and financial data.
If you received notice of the AT&T breach you can open a claim by filling out a claim form with one of the various law firms representing the plaintiffs in this case. For example:
- https://potterhandy.com/att-data-breach-lawsuit
- https://www.kazlg.com/att-data-breach/
- https://www.cpmlegal.com/cases-CPM-Investigating-ATT-Data-Breach-Affecting-73-Million-Current-and-Former-ATT-Customers
- https://www.cohenmilstein.com/case-study/att-data-breach-arbitration/
How Can I Claim Compensation?
To claim compensation, you may need to sign-up and join a class-action lawsuit or file an individual claim. Or you can do nothing and await the legal proceedings.
We’ve seen several prominent law firms take action in response to the 2024 AT&T data breach by filing class action lawsuits on behalf of affected customers in the U.S. These firms are actively seeking to hold AT&T accountable for the data breach / hack and to secure compensation for impacted individuals, up to $750 per victim and possibly more.
Mason LLP, Gibbs Law Group, Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, Barnes Law Group, Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP, and DiCello Levitt LLP are jointly representing plaintiffs in a class action suit against AT&T. There are other law firms as well.
Beasley Allen has also initiated a class action lawsuit on behalf of affected customers in efforts to increase settlement totals. Labaton Keller Sucharow is also investigating private arbitration claims against AT&T for California residents.
AT&T Data Breach 2024 Lawsuit Compensation Form
You can submit your AT&T lawsuit compensation claim form to the administrator to prove that you are entitled to part of the settlement if your personal data was compromised in the AT&T data breach. You can do so by filling out the sign-up form on one of the above-mentioned law firm websites.
Note: When working with a lawyer, be aware of the statute of limitations for data breach claims in your state. Provide any evidence of your AT&T account, breach notifications received, and documentation of related expenses or identity theft incidents.
What Types of Compensation / Payouts Are Available?
Potential settlement Dollar amounts may include reimbursement for financial losses, free credit monitoring services, identity theft protection, and in some cases, statutory damages. Some lawsuits are also seeking compensation for the time and effort spent dealing with the aftermath of the hack/breach.
How Much is the AT&T Settlement Refund / How Much Can I Expect?
The final settlement amount from AT&T you can look forward to will vary widely depending on factors such as your location, the extent of damages you’ve suffered, and the outcome of legal proceedings. While California residents may be eligible for up to a $750 payout, actual amounts could be lower or higher based on individual circumstances and the overall resolution of claims against AT&T. As for the question of “how much of a settlement can I get,” we won’t know until this lawsuit proceeds through the judicial system.
What Evidence Do I Need to Provide?
You may need to provide evidence of your AT&T account, any notification you received about the breach, and documentation of any financial losses or identity theft incidents related to the breach. Keep records of time spent addressing the breach’s impact and any associated expenses.
What Legal Steps Should I Take?
Consider consulting with a lawyer experienced in data breach cases. They can help you understand your rights, assess the strength of your claim, and determine whether joining a class action or pursuing individual legal action is most appropriate for your situation.
What is AT&T Offering Currently?
At the moment (July 2024), ATT is offering a suggestion for users to change their password and such, which can be found at www.att.com/accountsafety. AT&T has also stated it will offer credit monitoring at its expense where applicable. However, this is just the first step that companies like this take, and it may not be sufficient to cover all potential damages. It’s important to understand your rights and explore all available options for settlement beyond what AT&T is voluntarily offering.
Are There Deadlines for Signing Up and Filing Claims?
While specific deadlines haven’t been publicized by the law firms representing the plaintiffs, it’s crucial to act promptly. Statutes of limitations for data breach claims vary by state and can impact your eligibility for compensation. Consulting with a lawyer early can help ensure you don’t miss important deadlines.
Will My Claim and Settlement Affect My Relationship with AT&T?
Pursuing compensation should not negatively impact your service with AT&T. Consumer protection laws generally prohibit retaliation against customers for exercising their legal rights. However, if you have concerns, discuss them with your class action lawyer who can provide guidance specific to your situation.
What You Can Do Next:
Data breach attorneys and former cybersecurity experts advocate for the rights of consumers impacted by such incident. You may want to sign up and work with one of these law firms as a plaintiff.
If you received notice of the AT&T breach and would like to see if you qualify for a settlement up to $750, you can start a claim here with one of the representative law firms listed above.