T-Mobile has reached a $350 million settlement following a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of 76 million customers in the United States. Impacted individuals may be eligible for compensation of up to $25,000 if they experienced fraud, identity theft, or financial loss as a result of the breach.
Here’s everything you need to know about eligibility, payout amounts, and how to claim your share of the settlement.
Contents
T-Mobile Data Breach: What Happened?
On August 16, 2021, T-Mobile announced that hackers had gained access to sensitive customer data, including:
- Names
- Dates of birth
- Addresses
- Phone numbers
- Social Security numbers
The hacker behind the breach, John Binns, later bragged about the attack, claiming that T-Mobile’s poor security made it easy for him to steal millions of records. He then attempted to sell the stolen data on the dark web for $270,000.
Although T-Mobile denies any wrongdoing, it has agreed to a $350 million settlement to resolve claims from affected customers.
Who Is Eligible for the Settlement?
You are eligible for a settlement payout if:
You were a T-Mobile customer on or before August 1, 2021.
Your personal information was exposed in the data breach.
You incurred financial losses or spent time resolving fraud-related issues.
If you lived in California on August 1, 2021, you may receive a minimum of $25 to $100, even if you did not suffer direct financial loss.
How Much Compensation Can You Claim?
The amount you receive depends on how the breach affected you.
| Compensation Type | Payment Amount |
|---|---|
| Out-of-pocket expenses (fraud, identity theft, etc.) | Up to $25,000 |
| Lost time spent resolving fraud-related issues | $25 per hour (or actual hourly wage if time off work was taken) |
| No financial loss (California residents only) | $25 – $100 |
How to File a Claim
If you are an impacted T-Mobile customer, you do not need to file a separate lawsuit. Instead, follow these steps to claim your payment:
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
- If you received a settlement notice, you are eligible.
- If you are unsure, call 1-833-512-2314 or contact the Settlement Administrator.
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents
- Bank statements, receipts, or fraud reports if you had financial losses.
- Proof of time spent resolving fraud issues (if claiming lost time reimbursement).
Step 3: Submit Your Claim
- Visit the official settlement website (provided in your notice).
- Fill out the claim form with your personal details and supporting evidence.
Step 4: Wait for Payment
- Once the settlement is finalized, payments will be distributed.
T-Mobile Data Breach: The Hacker Behind the Attack
The T-Mobile breach was carried out by John Binns, an American hacker who:
- Boasted about hacking into T-Mobile’s systems, claiming poor security made it easy.
- Attempted to sell data on the dark web for $270,000.
- Was arrested in Turkey after a U.S. extradition request was approved.
T-Mobile estimates that 54 million customer records were stolen.
FAQs
1. How do I check if I am eligible for a payment?
If you were a T-Mobile customer before August 1, 2021, and received a settlement notice, you may qualify. You can also call 1-833-512-2314 to check your eligibility.
2. How much will I receive?
Up to $25,000 for out-of-pocket expenses related to fraud or identity theft.
$25 per hour (or your hourly wage) for lost time spent resolving fraud-related issues.
$25 to $100 for California residents with no financial loss.
3. How do I submit a claim?
Visit the settlement website, provide your personal details, and upload any supporting documents.
4. When will I receive my payment?
Payments will be distributed after final court approval. The exact timeline will be announced on the settlement website.
5. Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?
No, impacted customers do not need a lawyer. Class action members are automatically included unless they choose to opt out.
