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Comcast has agreed to pay $117.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit stemming from a cybersecurity breach that exposed the personal information of millions of Xfinity customers in October 2023.
The complaint alleges that Comcast “failed to adequately protect personal information” and had “insufficient data security.” The carrier denied any wrongdoing.
In a notice, Comcast advised customers that the personal information in the data breach included usernames, passwords, contact information, dates of birth, and the last four digits of social security numbers.
According to Comcast’s settlement website, the settlement is now open for claims, and current or former customers who received a violation notice from Comcast in December 2023 may be eligible for payment.
Here’s what you need to know about settlement funds, including who is eligible, how much to expect to pay, and when payments will be made.
Who is eligible to receive Comcast’s settlement payments?
The money is set aside for people whose personal information was accessed during a data breach in 2023, according to the settlement website. Consumers who were notified of the breach in December 2023 are eligible for the settlement.
Not all Comcast customers can automatically submit a payment request.
How much is Comcast’s settlement?
Eligible individuals may submit a claim for reimbursement for documented out-of-pocket costs or lost time. Payment amount is up to $10,000.
This number is influenced by the total amount of the settlement and the number of customers who filed affected claims. Valid claims for out-of-pocket losses must be submitted by August 14th.
If affected consumers choose not to go through the process of proving their out-of-pocket loss or loss of time, they can instead opt for a $50 cash payment. However, this amount may also change depending on the total number of claimants.
The deadline to request alternative cash payments is also August 14th.
When will the payment be issued?
A final approval hearing is scheduled for July 7, with payments to be made after that.
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.
