AT&T Lawsuit Settlement 2026: Payout Dates and Claims

By Margaret Hale, Legal Affairs Correspondent. Last updated June 2026.

Quick Answer Box

• What it is: A series of class action and regulatory settlements stemming from AT&T data breaches affecting up to 73 million current and former customers, with separate proceedings for throttling and billing claims.
• Who qualifies: AT&T customers and former customers whose personal data was exposed in the 2023 or 2024 breaches, including those whose Social Security numbers, account credentials, or personal information appeared on the dark web.
• What it may be worth: Individual payouts are projected between $50 and $2,500 depending on documented harm, claim tier, and the total number of valid claims submitted before the deadline.

Case Snapshot

AT&T faces one of the largest telecom-related settlement proceedings in U.S. history following two distinct data breaches that collectively exposed records for approximately 73 million people. The AT&T lawsuit settlement in 2026 represents the convergence of dozens of individual and class action complaints consolidated under MDL No. 3104 in the Northern District of Texas.

What makes this proceeding unusual is its scale relative to prior telecom settlements. The T-Mobile data breach settlement reached $350 million in 2022 for roughly 76 million affected users. AT&T's exposure, given the sensitivity of the data involved, could exceed that figure.

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Settlement talks accelerated in late 2025 after Judge Ada Brown set firm discovery deadlines. Both sides retained mediators, and court filings from early 2026 indicate the parties are working toward a framework that separates claimants into tiers based on documented identity theft versus data exposure alone.

This article covers every active AT&T settlement track, who qualifies, what the claim forms require, projected payouts by tier, and when payments are expected to reach class members.

What Is the AT&T Lawsuit Settlement?

The AT&T lawsuit settlement refers to the resolution of consolidated federal litigation against AT&T Inc. and AT&T Mobility LLC for failing to protect customer data from unauthorized access. These proceedings arise from two major breaches: one disclosed in March 2023 affecting roughly 9 million customers, and a far larger breach confirmed in March 2024 involving data for approximately 73 million people.

The 2024 breach proved especially damaging. Exposed data included Social Security numbers, account passcodes, full names, email addresses, mailing addresses, dates of birth, and phone numbers. Security researchers confirmed this data circulated on dark web forums as early as 2021, meaning AT&T may have been aware of the exposure years before public disclosure.

AT&T initially denied the data originated from its systems. The company later reversed course and began notifying affected customers in April 2024, triggering a wave of lawsuits across multiple federal jurisdictions.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys handling these claims emphasize that AT&T's delayed disclosure may independently support negligence theories, separate from the breach itself.*

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated related cases into MDL No. 3104 in the Northern District of Texas in July 2024. This consolidation brought together over 40 separate lawsuits filed across at least 15 federal districts.

AT&T Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Explained

The AT&T class action lawsuit settlement is a proposed resolution negotiated between class counsel and AT&T to compensate affected customers without requiring individual trials. Class actions of this type allow millions of consumers to participate through a single legal proceeding rather than filing separate suits.

In this structure, a small group of named plaintiffs represents the entire class. Court-appointed lead counsel, including firms such as Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein and Cotchett Pitre & McCarthy, negotiate on behalf of all class members. AT&T, for its part, gains the advantage of resolving thousands of potential claims in one agreement.

The settlement class definition, as proposed in early 2026 filings, includes all U.S. residents who were AT&T customers or account holders at any point between January 2015 and March 2024 whose data was part of either confirmed breach.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys familiar with the MDL note that the broad class definition intentionally captures former customers whose data AT&T retained long after account closure.*

Key elements typically included in a telecom data breach class settlement:

• Direct payments to class members who file valid claims
• Credit monitoring services (usually 2 to 4 years)
• Identity restoration services for documented theft victims
• Injunctive relief requiring AT&T to upgrade data security infrastructure
• Attorney fees paid separately from the settlement fund (subject to court approval)

The class certification process and preliminary settlement approval are two separate court actions. Judge Brown must approve both before claims administration begins.

AT&T Data Breach Settlement 2026: Where the Case Stands

As of June 2026, the AT&T data breach settlement remains in active negotiation, with preliminary approval expected before the end of the third quarter. Court docket entries in MDL No. 3104 reflect a series of mediation sessions conducted between January and April 2026, facilitated by a retired federal magistrate.

Both parties filed a joint status report in May 2026 indicating "substantial progress toward a comprehensive resolution." This language, while guarded, typically signals that the financial framework of a deal exists and the remaining disputes involve class definition boundaries, claims tiers, and injunctive terms.

The FCC imposed a separate $13 million fine on AT&T in late 2024 for data protection failures. Several state attorneys general, including those in Texas, California, and Illinois, have maintained parallel investigations, though none have announced independent settlement terms as of this writing.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys tracking this litigation observe that parallel state AG investigations often delay but ultimately increase the total recovery for consumers, because AT&T faces regulatory pressure from multiple directions simultaneously.*

These projections are drawn from the pace of comparable MDL proceedings. The T-Mobile settlement, by comparison, took roughly 14 months from preliminary to final approval.

Litigation Watch: AT&T's dual breaches, delayed disclosure, and simultaneous FCC and state AG scrutiny create a litigation posture with few close parallels in telecom history.

AT&T Settlement Eligibility Requirements

AT&T settlement eligibility is determined by whether your personal data was part of either the 2023 or 2024 breach, not simply by whether you were an AT&T customer. The proposed class includes current and former customers, authorized account users, and in some cases, individuals whose data AT&T retained after service termination.

To qualify, a person generally must meet one of these criteria:

• Was an AT&T wireless, internet, or bundled service customer between January 2015 and March 2024
• Received a data breach notification letter or email from AT&T in 2023 or 2024
• Can verify through AT&T's breach lookup tool that their information was included in the compromised dataset
• Had a Social Security number, passcode, or other personally identifiable information exposed in either breach

Individuals who already enrolled in AT&T's complimentary credit monitoring after receiving a breach notice are automatically part of the settlement class unless they opt out.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys representing claimants stress that eligibility does not require proof that identity theft actually occurred, only that personal data was exposed.*

Quick Eligibility Reference:

The settlement administrator will maintain a lookup portal where potential class members can verify eligibility using their name, last four digits of their Social Security number, and AT&T account number.

Who Qualifies for the AT&T Class Action?

Qualification for the AT&T class action follows the settlement class definition approved by the court. In practical terms, the class captures anyone whose data was compromised, regardless of whether they suffered financial loss.

This is a significant distinction. Many consumers assume they must prove out-of-pocket fraud to participate. Under the proposed terms, mere exposure of personal information, particularly Social Security numbers, establishes standing to receive a base-tier payment.

The class is divided into subgroups:

• Tier 1: Data exposed, no documented misuse. Eligible for base payment (estimated $50 to $150).
• Tier 2: Data exposed with evidence of attempted fraud, unauthorized credit inquiries, or phishing. Eligible for mid-tier payment (estimated $150 to $500).
• Tier 3: Documented identity theft, financial loss, or significant time spent on remediation directly linked to the AT&T breach. Eligible for enhanced payment (estimated $500 to $2,500).

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys advise that maintaining documentation of any fraud alerts, credit freezes, or suspicious activity reports filed after the breach is critical for Tier 2 or Tier 3 classification.*

Who does not qualify:

• Customers who were never part of the compromised dataset
• Individuals whose accounts were opened after March 2024
• People who previously filed individual lawsuits against AT&T for these breaches and reached private settlements
• Anyone who opted out of the class action during the opt-out window

Qualification will ultimately be verified through AT&T's internal records cross-referenced by the claims administrator.

How to Access the AT&T Lawsuit Claim Form

The AT&T lawsuit claim form will be available through the official settlement website once the court grants preliminary approval. As of mid-2026, that website has not yet launched, but court filings indicate the claims administrator, expected to be Kroll (which handled AT&T's breach notification process), will manage the portal.

When the form becomes available, class members can expect to access it through:

• Direct mail: Physical claim forms sent to addresses on file with AT&T
• Email notification: Sent to email addresses associated with AT&T accounts
• Settlement website: A dedicated portal with online submission capability
• Claims administrator phone line: For individuals who prefer paper filing

The claim form itself will require verification information. Based on comparable telecom settlement forms, expect to provide:

• Full legal name
• Current mailing address
• AT&T account number (if known)
• Last four digits of Social Security number
• Description of any harm experienced
• Supporting documentation for Tier 2 or Tier 3 claims

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys handling mass data breach claims recommend gathering AT&T account statements, breach notification letters, and any fraud-related correspondence before the form launches, so filing can happen immediately.*

No claim form is legitimate until the court-appointed administrator launches it. Any site requesting AT&T settlement claim information before official approval is not authorized.

Litigation Watch: Eligibility is broad enough to include former customers and authorized users, but the claim form will require verification data that claimants should begin collecting now.

AT&T Class Action Lawsuit Claim Form Details

The AT&T class action lawsuit claim form is the document that class members must submit to receive payment from the settlement fund. It serves as both a proof of membership in the class and a declaration of the type and extent of harm suffered.

Based on the proposed settlement structure outlined in MDL No. 3104 filings, the claim form will contain several sections:

Section 1: Claimant Identification

• Legal name, address, email, phone number
• AT&T account number or last four digits of SSN for verification

Section 2: Breach Confirmation

• Whether the claimant received a breach notice
• Which breach (2023, 2024, or both) affected the claimant

Section 3: Harm Declaration

• Checkbox selection for type of harm: data exposure only, attempted fraud, actual identity theft, financial loss, time spent on remediation
• Narrative section for describing specific impacts

Section 4: Supporting Documentation

• Upload or mail capability for fraud reports, credit monitoring alerts, bank statements, police reports, or FTC identity theft affidavits

Section 5: Attestation

• Signed declaration under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys note that incomplete forms are the leading reason claims are denied in class settlements, and recommend treating every section as mandatory regardless of minimum requirements.*

The claims administrator reviews each submission. Deficient claims typically receive a cure notice, giving the claimant 30 to 60 days to supplement before denial becomes final.

Where to Find the AT&T Settlement Claim Form Online

The AT&T settlement claim form online will be hosted exclusively on the court-authorized settlement website. That site does not exist yet as of June 2026. It will be established once Judge Ada Brown grants preliminary approval in MDL No. 3104.

When the site launches, it will be the only legitimate online source for claim submission. The URL will be referenced in:

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• The court's preliminary approval order
• AT&T's public SEC filings and investor communications
• Breach notification follow-up emails sent by AT&T
• Legal news coverage of the settlement approval

Warning signs of fraudulent claim sites:

• Sites requesting payment to file a claim
• Pages asking for full Social Security numbers (legitimate forms ask for last four only)
• URLs that do not match the name referenced in court filings
• Sites operational before the court has granted approval

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys warn that data breach settlements generate a secondary wave of scams targeting the same population whose information was already compromised.*

The settlement administrator will also maintain a toll-free number for claimants who prefer to verify legitimacy before submitting personal information online.

How to File an AT&T Lawsuit Claim

Filing an AT&T lawsuit claim requires completing the official claim form and submitting it before the court-established deadline. The process is designed to be accessible without an attorney, though legal representation may improve outcomes for individuals seeking Tier 2 or Tier 3 compensation.

Step-by-step filing process (projected):

1. Confirm eligibility using the settlement website's lookup tool with your AT&T account information or SSN verification.
2. Download or access the claim form through the settlement portal, by mail, or by phone request.
3. Complete all sections of the form. Include your breach notification reference number if you received one.
4. Gather supporting documents. For Tier 1 claims, minimal documentation is needed. For Tier 2 and Tier 3, attach credit reports, fraud alerts, police reports, or FTC affidavits.
5. Submit the form online through the portal or by mail to the claims administrator's designated address.
6. Retain confirmation. Save the submission confirmation number or certified mail receipt.
7. Respond to any deficiency notices within the cure period (typically 30 to 60 days).

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys representing data breach victims report that claimants who file within the first 30 days of the claims window tend to experience faster processing and fewer administrative complications.*

No filing fee is required. Any entity requesting payment to process a claim is not affiliated with the settlement.

Litigation Watch: The claims portal is not yet live, but claimants can prepare now by locating AT&T breach notification letters, recent credit reports, and any records of suspicious activity on their accounts.

Filing Your AT&T Lawsuit Settlement Claim

Filing your AT&T lawsuit settlement claim is a one-time action that locks in your participation in the settlement distribution. Once submitted, the claims administrator processes your form, assigns your claim to a tier, and places you in the payment queue.

The most common mistakes that delay or disqualify claims in data breach settlements include:

• Incorrect account information. Using a phone number or address that does not match AT&T's records.
• Missing attestation. Failing to sign the declaration under penalty of perjury.
• Inadequate documentation for higher tiers. Claiming identity theft without attaching a police report, FTC affidavit, or credit bureau dispute record.
• Duplicate submissions. Filing more than one claim for the same individual, which triggers a fraud review.
• Late filing. Submitting after the deadline, which results in automatic rejection with no appeal.

For individuals who were affected by both the 2023 and 2024 breaches, a single claim form covers both events. The settlement structure recognizes dual-breach exposure as a factor that may elevate tier classification.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys experienced in telecom settlements observe that roughly 15% to 25% of initial claim submissions are flagged for deficiencies, making accuracy at first filing worth the extra time.*

Claim Status Tracking:

After the claims deadline passes, the administrator tallies valid claims and calculates pro rata distributions within each tier.

How Much Will You Get from the AT&T Settlement?

Individual payments from the AT&T settlement depend on the total fund size, the number of valid claims filed, and the tier assigned to each claimant. No fixed dollar amount per person has been announced because the settlement has not received preliminary approval as of June 2026.

Projected payout ranges, based on comparable data breach settlements in the telecom sector and the severity of data exposed:

These estimates assume a total settlement fund in the range of $350 million to $1.3 billion and a claims rate of 5% to 15% of the 73 million affected individuals. If fewer people file, individual payouts increase. If the claims rate exceeds expectations, each share decreases.

The T-Mobile $350 million settlement for a breach of similar scale resulted in individual payments averaging around $25 to $100 for most claimants, partly because the claims rate was higher than projected. AT&T's breach involved more sensitive data categories, including Social Security numbers, which supports arguments for a larger fund.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys point out that claimants with documented out-of-pocket losses and supporting paperwork consistently receive the highest individual awards, sometimes multiples of what base-tier claimants receive.*

The final per-claimant amounts will not be known until after the claims deadline closes and the administrator completes its review.

AT&T Lawsuit Payout Breakdown

The AT&T lawsuit payout is structured as a tiered distribution plan, meaning not every class member receives the same amount. This structure rewards claimants who can demonstrate greater harm while still compensating those whose data was simply exposed.

Components of the payout structure:

• Base cash payment: Available to all valid Tier 1 claimants with minimal documentation.
• Enhanced cash payment: Available to Tier 2 and Tier 3 claimants with supporting evidence.
• Out-of-pocket reimbursement: Separate from tier payments. Covers documented expenses related to the breach, such as credit monitoring costs, notary fees for fraud affidavits, lost wages from time spent addressing identity theft (capped, usually at $25/hour for up to 5 hours).
• Credit monitoring: Typically 2 to 4 years of three-bureau monitoring provided to all class members regardless of claim filing.
• Identity restoration services: For claimants who experienced or are at ongoing risk of identity theft.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys caution that out-of-pocket reimbursement claims require receipts or contemporaneous records, and that estimates or approximations are routinely reduced or denied.*

Payout allocation example (hypothetical $500 million fund):

Attorney fees are typically awarded separately and capped at 25% to 33% of the total fund, subject to court approval. This amount comes from the settlement fund, not from individual claimant payments.

Litigation Watch: Payout amounts hinge on fund size and claims volume, both of which remain unknown until after preliminary approval and the close of the claims period.

When Is the AT&T Lawsuit Payout Date?

The AT&T lawsuit payout date has not been set. Payments cannot be distributed until the court grants final approval of the settlement, all appeals are resolved, and the claims administrator completes its review of submitted forms.

Based on the current litigation timeline in MDL No. 3104, the earliest realistic payout window is mid-to-late 2027. This projection accounts for:

• Preliminary approval: Expected Q3 2026
• Notice period: 60 to 90 days after preliminary approval
• Claims submission window: Typically 90 to 120 days after notice
• Objection and opt-out period: Runs concurrently with claims window
• Final approval hearing: Approximately 90 days after claims deadline
• Appeal period: 30 days after final approval, but actual appeals can extend the timeline by 6 to 18 months
• Distribution: Begins 30 to 90 days after final approval becomes effective (meaning all appeals are exhausted)

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys managing class settlement payouts note that even after final approval, a single objector's appeal to the circuit court can delay distribution by a year or more.*

These dates shift if settlement negotiations break down, if the court requests modifications to the settlement terms, or if an appeal reaches the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

AT&T Lawsuit Settlement Payout Date Projections

The AT&T lawsuit settlement payout date depends on procedural steps that have not yet occurred. No court has set a distribution date because the settlement itself is still being negotiated. Projections must account for both the best-case and delayed scenarios.

Best-case scenario: Settlement finalized Q3 2026, preliminary approval granted immediately, claims window opens Q4 2026, closes early 2027, final approval mid-2027, payments by late 2027.

Moderate-delay scenario: Objections require additional briefing, final approval pushed to late 2027, payments in Q1 to Q2 2028.

Significant-delay scenario: An objector appeals to the Fifth Circuit, oral argument scheduled, distribution stays in effect, payments delayed until late 2028 or 2029.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys with experience in telecom MDLs note that the T-Mobile settlement took approximately 18 months from preliminary approval to first distribution, a timeline AT&T's case may mirror.*

Two factors could accelerate the timeline. If AT&T agrees to a "quick pay" provision allowing partial distribution before appeals resolve, some class members could receive a portion earlier. If the opt-out rate is low and no serious objections are filed, the final approval process shortens significantly.

Payment methods in comparable settlements include direct deposit (ACH), mailed checks, and in some cases, prepaid debit cards. The settlement agreement will specify which options are available.

AT&T Settlement Payment Timeline

The AT&T settlement payment timeline tracks every procedural milestone from the current status through final distribution. Each milestone must be completed sequentially. No step can be skipped.

Full projected timeline:

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys recommend that claimants file as early as possible in the claims window, since early filers receive payments first in many distribution plans.*

The payment timeline is subject to court orders that can compress or extend any stage. Judge Ada Brown has demonstrated a preference for strict scheduling in MDL No. 3104, which may keep this case moving faster than average.

Claimants should monitor the settlement website and court docket for scheduling updates. PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) provides real-time access to filings in the Northern District of Texas.

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Litigation Watch: No payout date is confirmed. The earliest credible window for first payments is late 2027, assuming no significant objections or appeals extend the schedule.

AT&T Lawsuit Status Update for 2026

The AT&T lawsuit status as of June 2026 is that settlement negotiations are substantially advanced but not finalized. The case remains in the pretrial phase of MDL No. 3104 before Judge Ada Brown in the Northern District of Texas.

Key developments so far in 2026:

• January 2026: Court-ordered mediation sessions began, overseen by a retired magistrate judge.
• March 2026: AT&T and class counsel jointly requested a 60-day stay of discovery deadlines to facilitate settlement discussions.
• April 2026: Mediation sessions concluded. Both parties reported "meaningful progress."
• May 2026: Joint status report filed indicating a framework for resolution exists and that remaining issues involve class definition boundaries and injunctive relief terms.
• June 2026: The parties requested a scheduling conference to set a preliminary approval briefing timeline.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys following the docket note that the joint request to stay discovery is a strong procedural indicator that a settlement is near, since both sides only agree to pause litigation when a deal is imminent.*

If settlement terms are finalized by Q3 2026, the preliminary approval motion could be filed as early as July or August 2026. Any breakdown in negotiations would return the case to active discovery and push resolution into 2027 or later.

What Is the Deadline for the AT&T Lawsuit?

The deadline to file a claim in the AT&T lawsuit has not been set because the settlement has not yet received preliminary approval. Once the court approves the settlement and class notice is distributed, a specific claims deadline will be established, typically 90 to 120 days from the date notice is sent to class members.

The opt-out deadline, which allows class members to exclude themselves from the settlement and retain their right to sue individually, runs concurrently. This deadline is typically 60 to 90 days from the notice date.

Important deadline types in this case:

• Claims filing deadline: Last day to submit a claim form for payment.
• Opt-out deadline: Last day to exclude yourself from the class and preserve individual lawsuit rights.
• Objection deadline: Last day to file an objection to the settlement terms with the court.
• Statute of limitations (for individual claims): Varies by state, typically 2 to 4 years from the date of breach discovery. This deadline applies only to individuals who opt out and file their own suit.

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys strongly recommend that individuals considering opting out of the class to pursue individual claims consult with litigation counsel immediately, since statute of limitations clocks in some states may be approaching expiration for breaches disclosed in 2023 or 2024.*

Missing the claims deadline typically means forfeiting any right to payment. Courts rarely grant extensions for individual claimants after the deadline passes.

When to Hire an AT&T Lawsuit Attorney

An AT&T lawsuit attorney is most valuable in two situations: when an individual claimant suffered significant financial harm that warrants a Tier 3 claim with substantial documentation, or when a claimant is considering opting out of the class action to pursue a higher individual recovery.

For most Tier 1 claimants, filing a claim form does not require legal representation. The process is designed for self-service, and class counsel already represents the interests of all class members at no direct cost (their fees come from the settlement fund).

Situations where hiring an attorney is advisable:

• You experienced documented identity theft directly traceable to the AT&T breach.
• Your financial losses exceed $2,500, the typical cap in class settlements.
• You want to opt out and file an individual lawsuit for greater recovery.
• You are a business account holder with commercial damages.
• You have questions about how the settlement interacts with a pending individual claim.
• You are in a state with consumer protection statutes that provide additional remedies (e.g., California's CCPA, Illinois's BIPA for biometric claims if applicable).

*Attorney Insight: Attorneys specializing in data breach litigation report that individual lawsuits against AT&T carry higher potential recoveries but require proving damages and causation, which most claimants find difficult without counsel.*

A data breach or consumer protection attorney licensed in your state can evaluate whether the class settlement's maximum payout adequately compensates your specific losses or whether an individual claim makes more financial sense.

Litigation Watch: Most claimants will not need their own attorney to file a class settlement claim, but individuals with significant documented losses should evaluate whether the class cap adequately addresses their harm before the opt-out deadline closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I qualify for the AT&T lawsuit settlement?

You qualify if your personal data was included in either the 2023 or 2024 AT&T data breach.

The strongest indicator is whether you received a breach notification letter or email from AT&T.

If you did not receive notice but were an AT&T customer during the affected period, the settlement website will include a lookup tool for verification once it launches.

How much money will I get from the AT&T class action settlement?

Individual payouts are projected between $50 and $2,500 based on the tier assigned to your claim.

Tier 1 claimants with data exposure only may receive $50 to $150.

Tier 3 claimants with documented identity theft and financial loss may receive $500 to $2,500, with additional reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs.

Where can I find the AT&T class action lawsuit claim form?

The official claim form will be available on the court-authorized settlement website after preliminary approval is granted.

That website is not yet live as of June 2026.

Once active, the form can be submitted online, requested by phone, or received by mail from the claims administrator.

What is the deadline to file a claim in the AT&T settlement?

No deadline has been set yet because the settlement has not received preliminary court approval.

Once approved, the claims deadline will typically be 90 to 120 days after class notice is distributed.

The opt-out deadline will run on a similar schedule, usually 60 to 90 days from notice.

When will AT&T settlement payments be sent out in 2026?

Settlement payments are not expected to be distributed in 2026.

The earliest projected payment window is Q3 to Q4 2027, assuming preliminary approval occurs in Q3 2026 and no appeals delay the process.

Actual distribution depends on final approval, claims processing, and appeal resolution.

Do I need a lawyer to file an AT&T lawsuit settlement claim?

Most class members do not need a lawyer to file a claim form.

The process is designed for individuals to complete without legal representation.

Hiring an attorney is advisable if you suffered significant financial harm, want to opt out and file individually, or have questions about how the settlement applies to your specific situation.

The AT&T lawsuit settlement remains one of the most significant consumer data protection cases working through the federal court system. Its resolution will establish new benchmarks for how telecom providers are held accountable when they fail to safeguard the personal information entrusted to them by tens of millions of Americans.

Any individual who received a breach notification from AT&T should begin collecting documentation now. That includes the notification itself, recent credit reports, records of any suspicious activity, and receipts for any expenses incurred as a result of the exposure.

When the claims window opens, preparation will be the difference between a timely, fully supported filing and one that triggers a deficiency review. For those whose losses are substantial, a consultation with a data breach or consumer protection attorney, before the opt-out deadline passes, is the most strategically sound step available.

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