AT&T has agreed to a proposed $177.5 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that the company failed to adequately protect the personal information of its customers, which resulted in a significant data breach.

The telecommunications company denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to the settlement to avoid the costs and risks associated with continued litigation. The settlement provides benefits for affected customers, including cash payments and reimbursement for losses.

Who Is Eligible for the Settlement?

The settlement class includes current and former AT&T customers located in the United States whose personal information was compromised in the data breach. The lawsuit states this breach occurred on or before August 17, 2021. Data exposed in the incident included sensitive personal information such as full names, email addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and driver’s license numbers.

What You Can Claim and How to File

Eligible individuals who file a valid claim can receive several benefits from the settlement fund. These include a cash payment, with the final amount per person depending on the total number of claims submitted. The settlement also provides an offer for free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to help protect class members from future harm.

Additionally, claimants who experienced documented out-of-pocket losses as a result of the data breach can seek reimbursement of up to $7,500. These reimbursable expenses cover costs for credit monitoring services, credit freezes, and compensation for time spent addressing issues stemming from the breach. To receive benefits, affected customers must submit a claim form either online through the official settlement website or by mail before the deadline.