Claim Your Part of the $117.5 Million Comcast Data Breach Settlement
Comcast reached a preliminary $117.5 million settlement after a cybersecurity incident that exposed customer data. The breach occurred in October 2023 and affected millions of Xfinity users.
What happened
Comcast notified affected customers in December 2023. The company said thieves accessed usernames, passwords, names, contact details, dates of birth, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.
The lawsuit and settlement
The class action suit is Hasson v. Comcast Cable Communications LLC. Plaintiffs alleged financial harm and time spent seeking identity protection.
Comcast denied wrongdoing but agreed in January to the $117.5 million settlement. The agreement covers roughly 36 million affected customers.
Fees and distribution
About one-third of the fund, $39.2 million, is set aside for attorneys’ fees. That amount still needs court approval.
Claim payouts are proportional to proven out-of-pocket losses or lost time. Each claimant faces a $10,000 cap on recoveries.
Alternative payment and requirements
Claimants who do not want to prove losses may accept a $50 alternative payment. That amount can change based on how many people file claims.
Unlike some class settlements, you must file a claim to receive money. You must also provide a payment method when filing.
Who can participate
To qualify, you must be a living individual in the U.S. or its territories. You must have used Comcast services during the October 2023 breach.
You must also have received a notification saying your information was accessed. Only notified individuals can submit claims.
How to file and important IDs
The official settlement site is live and accepts claims now. Filing requires a unique settlement member ID from Comcast’s initial notice.
Filmogaz.com is covering the settlement and can help explain the filing process. Payments will start only after the court gives final approval.
Deadlines and court action
The court scheduled a final approval hearing for July 7. The date and time may change, and updates will appear on the settlement site.
All claim forms must be submitted by Aug. 14. If you neither file a claim nor opt out by that date, you forfeit any payment.
Options for objecting or opting out
You may object to the settlement by writing to the court. You may also ask for permission to speak at the final approval hearing.
Opting out preserves your right to sue Comcast separately. However, those who opt out cannot receive the settlement’s identity defense services.
Identity defense services
Comcast must provide identity defense services to affected class members. Those services are available even to people who do not file a monetary claim.
Anyone who opts out of the settlement loses eligibility for those identity protections. Filing or not filing affects access to services.
Comments and next steps
Representatives for Comcast and Lynch Carpenter LLP, lead counsel for plaintiffs, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case remains subject to final court approval and possible appeals.
Eligible customers should act soon to claim your part and protect their rights. Follow Filmogaz.com for ongoing updates on the Comcast data breach settlement.
