T-Mobile customers affected by the massive 2021 data breach can finally expect their settlement checks to arrive soon. According to the latest update from the carrier, payments will begin distribution in April 2025.
If you’re want of those affected by this data breach, here’s what you need to know about the compensation.
A Breakdown of T-Mobile’s $350 Million Settlement
T-Mobile Data Breach Payouts Are Coming: Here’s How to Know
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The data breach, which occurred in 2021, exposed sensitive information of approximately 76 million current and former subscribers. The stolen data included Social Security numbers, driver’s license details, birth dates, and home addresses. Because it’s one of the largest cyberattacks in US history, the telecom giant was slapped with a class-action lawsuit a year later, according to PC Mag.
Without admitting any wrongdoing, T-Mobile agreed to settle for $350 million. This marked the second-largest data breach settlement in the country, following Equifax’s $700 million payout in 2019.
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Who Is Eligible for T-Mobile Data Breach Compensation?
Affected customers who filed claims are eligible for compensation based on the steps they took to safeguard their financial accounts after the breach. Here’s how the payouts are structured:
- Customers who produced documentation of out-of-pocket losses could be compensated up to $25,000.
- General claimants-the customers affected by the breach but didn’t provide documentation of their losses-will receive up to $25.
- Residents of California who were affected by the breach could be eligible for up to $100 because of California-specific privacy laws.
The reimbursement rate was set at $25 per hour for time spent mitigating fraud and securing financial accounts. Claimants were required to submit reasonable documentation supporting their losses before the January 23, 2023 deadline.
When Will T-Mobile Settlement Checks Arrive?
As per the status report from T-Mobile, all court actions are complete, and payments will be paid in April 2025. Members of the class who submitted proper claims were sent their final amounts to be paid by October 22, 2024.
If you need to confirm your payment or are not sure about it, you may reach out to the settlement administrator’s phone number (1-833-512-2314) or email ([email protected]).
How T-Mobile Plans to Prevent Future Data Breaches
In response to the cyberattack, T-Mobile pledged to invest $150 million in strengthening its cybersecurity infrastructure, Tech Times mentioned in its report.
What’s more, the company has since implemented new security measures, including multi-factor authentication for all employees, additional encryption and data protection protocols, and the zero-trust security model.
What Customers Should Do Next
If you were impacted by the breach and made a claim, watch for your settlement check in the next few months. If you have not heard anything about your payment, contact the settlement administrator for help.
Also, to safeguard yourself against future breaches, consider monitoring your financial reports regularly for suspicious activity. Placing credit freezes or fraud alerts with major credit bureaus will help you protect yourself from cyberattacks.
If the two methods are quite complicated for you, you can instead utilize strong and one-of-a-kind passwords for every online account you have.
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