Sign Ups for AT&T Data Breach Lawsuit Highlight Wide Ranging Impacts from Security Failures

Millions of AT&T customers are pursuing financial compensation following the release of their personal information. Learn more about how to sign up.

After millions of families throughout the U.S. were left in the dark for months about whether their personal information was stolen in either of the two AT&T data breaches announced this year, staggering numbers of current and former customers are now signing up with lawyers to pursue compensation for a wide range of consequences caused by the massive security failures.

Two separate data breaches have been announced by AT&T so far in 2024, one in March and another in July, which collectively compromised the sensitive data of approximately 183 million customers. The March 2024 announcement confirmed that the social security numbers, names, addresses, and other personally identifiable information for up to 73 million customers was already widely available on the Dark Web. The subsequent breach disclosed in July 2024 further jeopardized many of those same customers, confirming that private phone and text records of 110 million individuals had been obtained by hackers.

As a result of AT&T’s failure to adequately protect customers information, individuals are now pursuing AT&T data breach class action lawsuits. In this featured post, AboutLawsuits.com outlines how to sign up for the AT&T data breach lawsuit and the steps that will be involved in customers obtaining compensation.

How To Sign Up for the AT&T Data Breach Lawsuit

If you are among the millions potentially impacted by one of the AT&T data breaches, taking action by signing up for the AT&T data breach lawsuit is the first step towards obtaining settlement benefits, including extended credit monitoring, fraud protections and financial compensation for damages caused by the release of your personal information.

While most claims filed to date have sought class action status as a collective means to obtain compensation for the millions impacted, most customers will be able to obtain financial compensation through an individual lawsuit brought through arbitration, which could result in more tailored compensation for the damages they have personally suffered.

Individuals may be eligible for an AT&T class action lawsuit settlement if any of the following information was stolen;

• Name
• Mailing Addresses
• Phone Number
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• AT&T account number and passcode
• Phone Records
• Text Message Records

Sign up now for the AT&T Data breach lawsuit by clicking the link below to see if you qualify for compensation. AboutLawsuits.com has associated with AT&T data breach lawyers to provide readers with free claim evaluations, and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

AT&T Data Breach Arbitration Claims

AT&T’s customer service agreement includes a significant provision, known as an arbitration clause. This clause mandates that any disputes between AT&T and its customers be resolved through arbitration rather than through traditional court proceedings.

Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution that involves a neutral third-party arbitrator who listens to both sides and then makes a binding decision. This process typically bypasses the more formal and lengthy procedures of court trials, and it also precludes class actions and jury trials.

The clause specifies that it covers a broad range of disputes, essentially encompassing any disagreements that might arise between the customer and the company, including issues related to service, billing, privacy, and more.

How is an AT&T Data Breach Case Handled?

When handling a data breach case involving AT&T, the process typically starts with trying to resolve the issue through AT&T’s internal resolution procedures. If this does not lead to a satisfactory outcome, the affected individual has the option to pursue individual arbitration.

The arbitration process is administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA), a prominent non-profit organization that ensures neutrality and fairness. During the arbitration:

• AT&T generally covers all arbitration fees, with certain exceptions where the claimant may be responsible for some costs.
• Proceedings may be held in the county of the claimant’s billing address or conducted remotely via phone or videoconference, providing flexibility and accessibility.
• The arbitration process is designed to be impartial, with a neutral arbitrator appointed by the AAA, who takes input from both parties to ensure a fair hearing.
• In cases of coordinated or mass arbitrations, where multiple similar claims are filed, the proceedings are structured in stages. This approach can extend the duration of the arbitration process compared to individual cases. It is important for claimants to be aware of these potential timelines when considering how to proceed with their case.

How Much Is an AT&T Lawsuit Worth?

The potential value of an AT&T lawsuit data breach can vary significantly depending on the specifics of the case and the damages incurred. In arbitration proceedings, there are several key financial aspects to consider. According to AT&T’s consumer service agreement:

• If the claimant prevails, AT&T may be required to pay double the attorney’s fees, enhancing the financial relief for the winning party.
• A minimum award is stipulated if the claimant wins, providing a baseline for compensatory damages.
• The actual compensation might be higher or lower, depending on the extent of the data breach and the impact it had on the claimant’s privacy or finances.

In an AT&T data breach arbitration claim, each case is unique and the value of the lawsuit will depend on factors specific to that individual, including the severity of the breach, the number of individuals affected, and the specific losses incurred by each claimant. However, it is possible that AT&T may negotiate settlements with lawyers representing large numbers of individuals pursuing arbitration claims, providing a frame work for payouts.

AT&T Data Breach Class Action Lawsuits

Despite the telecom giants arbitration clause requiring parties to resolve disputes through the arbitration process rather than through traditional civil court proceedings, more than 45 AT&T data breach class action lawsuits have been filed as of July 2024, each seeking certification to pursue damages on behalf of larger groups of customers.

These class action lawsuits argue that the arbitration clause is unenforceable and void, since it unjustly limits consumers’ access to the courts, and violates their constitutional right to a jury trial.

According to allegations raised in each of the AT&T customer class action lawsuits, the telecom giant failed to adequately protect customer data and did not providing timely, adequate notification about the data breach, thus exposing customers to a greater risks of identity theft and fraud.

AT&T Data Breach Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)

Given common questions of fact and law raised in these class action complaints, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) just issued an order consolidating the claims before one judge for pretrial proceedings, as part of an AT&T data breach lawsuit MDL (multidistrict litigation).

The AT&T data breach MDL has been established before U.S. District Judge Ada E. Brown in the Northern District of Texas, for coordinated discovery and pretrial motions.

Unless AT&T class action settlements are voluntarily entered by the parties, litigating the enforceability of the arbitration claim may take years to work its way through the federal court system.

What Information Do I Need to File an AT&T Data Breach Lawsuit?

Before pursuing a lawsuit against AT&T for the data breach, it is important to gather specific information to substantiate your claim. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare:

Confirm You Data Was Compromised

Before you can join the lawsuit, you need to confirm that your information was indeed compromised. Check your email for any notifications from AT&T regarding the data breach. If you haven’t received any but suspect your data might have been exposed, you can contact AT&T directly or visit their official data breach response website for more information.

If you are unsure, lawyers will assist you in determining whether your information was compromised in one of the data breaches. Given that the second AT&T data breach announced in July 2024 impacted almost all customers, it is likely your information may have been compromised.

Gather Documentation

Organizing your documentation is critical. Collect and secure the following items:

• AT&T Account Information: Whether you are a current or former customers, save your AT&T account number and any relevant account details. This information will help verify your standing as a customer during the periods the breaches occurred.
• Breach Notification: If you received a breach notification email or letter from AT&T, ensure you keep these communications as they serve as evidence that your data was compromised.
• Credit Monitoring Offers: Any offers from AT&T for free credit monitoring or other services in response to the breach should also be retained. These communications can be used to support your claim that AT&T acknowledged the breach of your data.