The deadline to file a claim for money from the $177 million AT&T class action settlement is coming up.

AT&T agreed to the settlement to resolve a lawsuit that alleged it failed to protect customer information, leading to two separate data breach incidents last year.

According to the settlement website, in the first incident on March 30, 2024, AT&T announced that customer information including addresses, social security numbers and passcodes, was released on the dark web.

In a second incident on July 12, 2024, AT&T announced customers' call and text records had been illegally downloaded.

In a previous statement to USA TODAY, AT&T said it is "committed to protecting our customers' data and ensuring their continued trust in us.”

“While we deny the allegations in these lawsuits that we were responsible for these criminal acts, we have agreed to this settlement to avoid the expense and uncertainty of protracted litigation," the statement said.

Here's what to know about the settlement.

When is the deadline to file a claim?

The deadline to submit a claim is Thursday, Dec. 18. Online forms must be submitted by that date. Mailed claims must be postmarked by then.

This deadline was previously updated from the original Nov. 18 deadline.

How to file a claim in AT&T settlement

AT&T customers who are eligible for the settlement can file a claim online at www.telecomdatasettlement.com.

Claims can also be sent by mail to:AT&T Data Incident Settlementc/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLCP.O. Box 5324New York, NY 10150-5324.

Who is eligible to file a claim in AT&T data breach settlement?

There are two settlement classes, or groups of eligible customers, who can file a claim.

  • The first class is AT&T customers who were impacted in the March 30, 2024, data breach.
  • The second class is AT&T customers who were impacted in the July 12, 2024, data breach.
  • Some customers may be included in both classes of eligible members.

According to the lawsuit and a 2024 statement from AT&T, the breaches are believed to have affected more than seven million people who had AT&T accounts in 2024 and more than 65 million people who had AT&T accounts between 2019 and 2024.

Customers who are not sure if they are included in the settlement can call 833-890-4930 with questions.

How much money can eligible AT&T customers get?

Eligible claimants can receive up to thousands of dollars depending on which settlement class they are part of. Customers impacted by both data breaches could receive up to $7,500, according to the settlement website.

  • Customers affected by the March 30, 2024 data breach:
    • Up to $5,000 through a documented loss cash payment option, meaning they must present documentation of the losses
    • Or a Tier 1 or Tier 2 cash payment:
      • Those whose Social Security numbers were included in the March 30 data breach can file a claim for Tier 1.
      • Customers whose data but not social security numbers were included in the March 30 breach can file for Tier 2.
      • Tier 1 payments are five times the amount of Tier 2.
  • Customers affected by the July 12, 2024 data breach:
    • Up to $2,500 through a documented loss cash payment option
    • Or a Tier 3 cash payment:
      • A share of the settlement after administration costs and claims are issued.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deadline extended to file a claim in AT&T data breach settlement. Are you eligible?

Reporting by Melina Khan, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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