T-Mobile $350M Data Breach: Payments Coming Soon

March 2025 Update: All T-Mobile data breach class action settlement court proceedings are complete. According to the settlement website, payment distribution to approved claimants will begin in April 2025.

January 2025 Update: On January 16, 2025, the revised motion for Attorneys' Fees was approved by the District Court.

If you are among the approximately 76 million U.S. residents whose personal information was compromised in the T-Mobile data breach announced on August 16, 2021, you may be eligible to claim up to $25,000 from a class action settlement.

T-Mobile US, Inc. and T-Mobile USA, Inc. have agreed to pay $350 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that they failed to adequately protect consumers' personal information during a cyberattack. The breach exposed sensitive data, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud for millions of individuals.

Who is eligible to receive a T-Mobile payment?

• You were identified as of the approximately 76 million U.S. residents whose personal information was compromised in the T-Mobile data breach announced on August 16, 2021.
• You were directly notified about the breach and the settlement.

How much is the T-Mobile data breach settlement payout?

Claimants selected from the following benefits:

• Alternative Cash Payment:
• $25 for non-California residents
• $100 for California residents (as of August 1, 2021)
• This option is available if you choose not to claim reimbursement for out-of-pocket losses or lost time.

• Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Losses:
• Up to $25,000 for documented expenses incurred due to identity theft or fraud related to the breach. Eligible expenses include credit monitoring, professional fees, and other related costs.

• Reimbursement for Lost Time:
• Up to 15 hours at a reimbursement rate of $25 per hour or your documented hourly wage if you took time off work. This covers time spent addressing fraud or identity theft related to the breach.

• Identity Defense Services:
• Two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services provided by Pango, including dark web monitoring, real-time alerts, and $1 million in identity theft insurance.

• Restoration Services:
• Two years of access to fraud resolution specialists who can assist with placing fraud alerts, disputing inaccurate credit report information, and working with law enforcement.

How to claim a payment

To receive a class action rebate, class members must have submitted a claim online or by mail by the deadline of January 23, 2023.

Required proof

Yes, supporting documentation was required for reimbursement of out-of-pocket losses and lost time, such as:

• Receipts
• Bank statements
• Credit card statements
• Invoices
• Phone records
• Other evidence clearly showing expenses related to the data breach

Payout options

You can choose to receive your payment through:

• Electronic payment (PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, ACH)
• Paper check

$350 Million T-Mobile data breach settlement fund

The settlement fund of $350 million will cover:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees: $45,771,790.40
• Attorneys' expenses: $170,845.18
• Service awards to class representatives: $2,500 each
• Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds funds after the above deductions

Important dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: January 23, 2023
• Final Approval Hearing: January 20, 2023

When is the T-Mobile data breach settlement payout date?

Payments from the settlement are expected to begin in April 2025.

Why did T-Mobile agree to settle this class action lawsuit?

T-Mobile agreed to settle this lawsuit to avoid the costs and delays associated with prolonged litigation and a trial. The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing, and T-Mobile continues to deny all allegations.

Sources

1. Official Settlement Website
2. Settlement Notice
3. Settlement Website FAQ Page