In August of 2021 I reported to you about  a data breach at T-Mobile initially discovered when hackers started offering  for sale on the Dark Web data of what they said was 100 million customers of phone carrier T-Mobile for sale.  T- Mobile confirmed the data breach but said that the number of people affected was approximately 76 million people.   The information being sold included names, phone numbers, Social Security numbers and addresses.  Also being sold were the PINS used by some T-Mobile customers to protect their accounts from identity theft that now are in the hands of hackers.  This type of information poses a tremendous threat to victims of the data breach, which is the sixth for T-Mobile in the last four years.  Social Security numbers in particular can be used by identity thieves to apply for credit cards and loans in your name.  In addition, the phone numbers and the fact that the victims of the data breach are known to be T-Mobile customers enables the hackers to create phony phishing text messages, called smishing, posing as T-Mobile and luring the targeted victim into clicking on a link in the text message that can download destructive malware.

A class action on behalf of victims of the data breach was settled, following which, T-Mobile sent notices to affected customers. Customers could claim reimbursement for out-of-pocket losses and lost time due to dealing with the effects of hte data breach.  In addition, anyone else could have made a claim for a cash payment of $25 or $100 if they were a California resident.

Now, finally checks are going out this month to victims of the data breach.

TIPS

Any funds left over from the $350 million dollars T-Mobile agreed to pay pursuant to the settlement after the disbursements are made this month will be split across the board to all victims of the data breach.

People should be wary of any text messages, phone calls or emails that they receive purportedly from T-Mobile, but sent by scammers, regarding the settlement that ask you to click on a link, to provide personal information or to make a payment to be eligible for the reimbursement.  If you do have questions regarding the settlement go to the official settlement website

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