T-Mobile customers may be eligible for compensation of up to $25,000 following the conclusion of a major class-action lawsuit tied to the T-Mobile 2021 data breach settlement. If you were among the 76 million individuals impacted by the breach, here’s what you need to know about the settlement, eligibility, and how to check if you qualify for a payout.
Table of Contents
What Was the T-Mobile 2021 Data Breach?
In 2021, T-Mobile, a Washington-based telecommunications company, suffered a massive cyberattack that compromised the personal data of approximately 76 million current, former, and prospective customers.
Sensitive data exposed in the breach included:
- Full names
- Addresses
- Social Security numbers
- Government ID numbers
The breach sparked immediate concerns about identity theft and financial fraud, making it one of the most serious cybersecurity incidents in the mobile telecom industry.
T-Mobile Settlement Details
While T-Mobile denied any wrongdoing, the company opted to settle a related lawsuit out of court. The case focused on violations of a court order, not the breach itself.
The final settlement amount reached $350 million, and all court proceedings have now concluded. Payments are scheduled to go out this month (April 2025).
How Much Can You Receive?
Payouts vary depending on the level of harm or loss experienced:
- Up to $25,000 for individuals who experienced documented financial harm due to the breach.
- Up to $25 for affected individuals without documented losses, even if they did not file a claim.
- California residents may be eligible for up to $100.
However, because the settlement is being divided among millions of people, most standard payments are expected to be modest—roughly $4.50 per person before legal fees.
Who Is Eligible for the T-Mobile 2021 Settlement?
You may qualify for compensation if:
- You were among the 76 million customers impacted by the 2021 breach.
- You received a notification of inclusion in the settlement.
- You did not opt out of the class-action settlement.
- You did not file for arbitration regarding the breach.
Excluded parties include:
- T-Mobile officers and directors
- Legal and judicial staff associated with the case
- Individuals who opted out or filed for separate arbitration
How to Check If You Qualify
If you’re unsure whether you’re part of the class, there are two ways to find out:
- Visit the settlement website’s FAQ section for eligibility details.
- Call the official settlement hotline at 1-833-512-2314.
Why the 2021 Breach Still Matters
Although T-Mobile experienced another breach in 2022 affecting 37 million customers—and a separate breach in 2023—none were as severe as the 2021 incident.
In 2023, T-Mobile stated that no sensitive data such as payment information was leaked. However, the 2021 breach compromised crucial personal identifiers, increasing the risk of long-term identity theft and fraud.
Final Notes on the T-Mobile 2021 Data Breach Settlement
If you received a notice or believe your information was compromised in the 2021 T-Mobile data breach, you may be owed compensation—even if you didn’t submit a claim. With payouts beginning in April 2025, now is the time to verify your eligibility and understand your options.