Can I sue AT&T for leaking my social security number?

If AT&T somehow exposed your social security number, you might be wondering if you can sue them. To answer the question directly, it is possible to sue AT&T for the violation of privacy rights under certain conditions. Here’s what you should know.

Which Laws Govern the Use of Social Security Numbers?

Federal and state laws protect the privacy of social security numbers and prohibit companies from disclosing them without consent.

• The Federal Privacy Act dictates that social security numbers must be protected and used only for authorized purposes by government and business organizations.
• Several state data breach notification statutes mandate organizations to inform consumers if their personal information like social security numbers is vulnerable as a result of a data breach.
• Most states have laws against identity theft that focus on the unauthorized access and use of another individual’s personal information.

When Can I Sue a Company for Leasing My SSN?

If your social security number was leaked or exposed by AT&T, then you may have cause to sue them for invasion of privacy, negligence, breach of contract, or violation of laws that protect consumers. Here are some common situations when a lawsuit may be possible.

• Negligence Causing Data Breach: If AT&T did not adequately secure your data or failed to follow proper security measures and policies, which led to the exposure of SSNs, then you may have grounds for negligence. Due to negligence, your personal information was shared with third parties, and it was detrimental to you.
• Breach of Contract: If you signed an agreement with AT&T Internet that provided for privacy protections or data security that were not honored by the company, you can sue for breach of contract over the improper disclosure of your SSN.
• Violation of Data Breach Notification Laws: For instance, based on state laws, AT&T may need to inform consumers whenever unauthorized individuals access their data. Lack of notice under the data breach laws may be a basis for legal proceedings.
• Violations of Consumer Protection Statutes: All the states have laws that ban companies from practicing certain unfair and deceptive practices in business. If companies are found to have not protected data as it was implied or as was promised to the customers or customers’ data is misrepresented then this might contravene consumer protection laws.

What Compensation Can I Claim Upon Suing For SSN Disclosure?

If you win a lawsuit against AT&T for the leakage of your social security number or join a group lawsuit, what are the remedies that you are likely to be awarded? Possible remedies may include:

• Real-life monetary losses concerning identity theft
  
• Expenses incurred when correcting information on credit reports as well as credit scores
  
• Costs associated with signing up for credit monitoring via an identity theft protection service
  
• Expenditure incurred for security freeze in credit reports
  
• Emotional distress damages
  
• Compensatory damages for the harm caused to the plaintiff by the company’s actions
  
• Legal charges for attorneys and cost of trial

The measurement of the amount of damages is based on the particular loss or injury suffered and what has been estimated. It also depends on the state laws and the kind of claim that is made against the firm or business.

What Should I Do If My Social Security Number Was Leaked?

If you learn that your SSN was exposed to a data breach by AT&T or any entity, you should promptly take measures to reduce identity theft risks, including.

• Putting a credit freeze on all three credit reporting agencies
  
• This includes keeping an eye on credit reports and other financial statements for signs of misuse.
  
• Reporting the incident of the leaked security number to the police
  
• Notifying the relevant state and federal authorities of the data breach
  
• Thinking about signing up for credit report or identity theft programs

You should also seek advice from a consumer protection attorney who will explain your legal recourse if you wish to sue for improper disclosure of SSN. Taking immediate action can also prevent further loss and misuse of details that may have been stolen from the customer’s identity and further strengthen the claims of the company that let go of their customer’s details.

Upgrade to faster, more reliable AT&T Fiber Internet today! Call us at +1 844-905-5002 and get connected with speeds that keep you ahead.

Related Stories