Telmate settlement: who qualifies, how much and how to claim

What the Telmate settlement is about

Telmate, LLC, which does business as Viapath Technologies, provides phone, messaging and video services for incarcerated people and their families. The lawsuit, Cooper v. Telmate, LLC (Case No. 1:24-cv-01622, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia), was filed on Sep 13, 2024. It says Telmate did not protect personal information well enough and was slow to tell people after someone gained unauthorized access to its network between Aug 11 and Aug 13, 2020.

Telmate denies all of that, and the court has not ruled for either side. Both sides agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of trial. Telmate also faced a separate federal enforcement action, but that one imposed security requirements and paid no money to affected people, so this settlement is the one with cash. For the general picture, see our data breach settlement guide.

Who qualifies for the Telmate settlement

The class is every person in the United States whose personal information was affected in the 2020 incident. The notice puts the class at about 431,031 people. It does not depend on which Telmate service you used, or on whether you were the person incarcerated or a family member or friend using the service. What matters is whether your information was involved.

The clearest sign you are in the class is a notice from the administrator, Kroll, by mail or email. If you did not get one but think you used a Telmate service around 2020, you can call Kroll at 833-453-3721. Only file if you actually qualify. For background on who counts, read who is eligible for a class action settlement.

How much you could get

There are two benefits, and you can claim both on one form. The fund also has to cover administration costs, the lawyers' fees and a service award for the lead plaintiff, so the cash share depends on how many people file.

Class counsel plans to ask the court for fees of up to one-third of the fund ($1,408,333.33), costs up to $35,000 and a $5,000 service award, all subject to court approval. That is in line with what we describe in how much class action lawyers make. With a fund of this size spread across a large class, expect a modest check; see why settlement checks are so small.

How to file a Telmate settlement claim

Filing directly with the administrator is free. You can submit online at the official settlement website, telmatedatabreachsettlement.com, or mail a paper form to Kroll. Two aggregator sites report that the online form asks for the class member ID printed on your notice. If you lost the notice or never got one, the sources I reviewed do not say whether you can file without it, so call Kroll first. Our guide to claim IDs and notice IDs explains the usual options.

1. Find your notice and note the class member ID, or call Kroll at 833-453-3721 if you do not have one.
2. Go to the official settlement website, telmatedatabreachsettlement.com, and open the claim form.
3. Choose the cash payment, the documented-loss reimbursement, or both.
4. For a loss claim, attach third-party records such as receipts, bank or phone records, or correspondence.
5. Submit online, or mail it to Cooper v. Telmate LLC d/b/a Viapath Technologies, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391, postmarked by Dec 21, 2026.

Key dates and when payment could come

The claim, opt-out and objection deadlines are all the same day. The final approval hearing was moved from Dec 18, 2026 to Feb 12, 2027 by a court order, so check the official site for the latest date. Payment comes only after the judge gives final approval and any appeals end. One aggregator reports payment about 90 days after final approval, but the official payment date has not been announced.

Should you file, opt out or do nothing?

If you stay in the class and do nothing, you get no money and you give up the right to sue Telmate over the claims this settlement resolves. Opting out keeps that right but means no payment; it needs a written request postmarked by Dec 21, 2026. Most people with ordinary, small losses are better off filing. If you have serious losses from identity theft, talk to a lawyer before deciding. See how to opt out of a class action settlement for the trade-offs.

Is the Telmate settlement legit?

Yes. It is a court-authorized settlement with a notice that names the case, the court and the administrator. Kroll is a well-known settlement administrator; our guide explains how to tell a real Kroll notice from a fake. Real claims never ask you to pay a fee, and you should only use the official website, not a lookalike. More red flags are in how to spot a settlement scam.

Owed can help you find settlements you qualify for, explain them in plain English, open the official claim form, remind you before deadlines and track your claim; you submit the claim yourself. Owed Pro is $2 for the first week, then $49 per year — one flat membership. Owed never takes a percentage of any payout. Browse open settlements any time. This is general information, not legal advice; the court and administrator decide eligibility and amounts.

Glossary

Pro rata

A proportional share. Here, whatever is left in the fund is split equally among valid claims.

Class member ID

The identifier on your settlement notice that the online claim form may ask for.

Out-of-pocket loss

A cost you actually paid that is traceable to the breach and was not reimbursed by someone else.

Final approval hearing

The court hearing where a judge decides whether to approve the settlement and the fees.

Opt out

Excluding yourself from the settlement so you keep the right to sue but get no payment.

FAQ