Weeks left for Americans to claim up to $237 in data breach settlement

Everything you need to know about how to claim your part of the $12.5 million settlement before the deadline

Modified on:
October 20, 2025 7:44 pm

If you are a Facebook user and were also a member of AARP during a specific time period, you could be entitled to cash from a $12.5 million settlement. Payments are expected to range between $47 and $237, depending on how many people apply.

The catch is that you do not have forever to claim your share. The catch is that you do not have forever to claim your share. The deadline to file your claim is December 31, 2025. So, if you are eligible, this is the time to act.

Who qualifies for the settlement

This settlement comes from a lawsuit that accused AARP of sharing user data with Facebook, which allegedly allowed Meta to target ads. While AARP has denied any wrongdoing, they have agreed to pay to resolve the case.

To qualify for payment, you must:

  • Have been a member or user of AARP between September 27, 2020, and September 12, 2025
  • Be able to provide a link to your Facebook profile when you file your claim

That is it. You do not need to provide receipts, extra paperwork, or long explanations. Just your Facebook profile link is enough.

How much money can you get

The payout amount depends on how many people file a claim. The total settlement is $12.5 million. After legal fees and other costs are deducted, the remaining money will be split among eligible claimants.

Here is what you need to know:

  • Payments are expected to fall between $47 and $237 per person
  • You will not get money automatically—you must file a claim form
  • Payments will be sent out only after the settlement is approved in court

This means you could get a couple hundred dollars simply for filling out a short form online.

Recommended: 

Capital One bank account holders have three days to receive their share of the $425 million settlement – You have until October 2 to request your payment

How to file your claim step by step

Filing your claim is straightforward. Here is how you can do it:

  1. Log into your Facebook account
  2. Click on your profile picture to open your profile page
  3. Copy the link from the address bar—that is your profile URL
  4. Paste the link onto your claim form
  5. Submit the form before December 31, 2025

Remember, if you miss the deadline, you will lose your chance to get any payment.

What happens after you file your claim

Even though the deadline is December 31, payments will not be issued right away. That is because the settlement still has to go through a court approval process. A hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled for February 2026 and if there are no appeals, payments will start after that hearing. However, if there are appeals, payments could be delayed.

So, while you will not get the money immediately, filing your claim now locks in your eligibility.

What a class action settlement means for you

This case is a class action lawsuit. That means a group of people with the same complaint came together to take legal action. Instead of every person filing their own case, one lawsuit covers everyone in the group, or “class.”

Class action settlements often include:

  • Payments to class members who file a claim
  • A statement from the company denying wrongdoing
  • A final agreement that ends the lawsuit and prevents future claims on the same issue

In this case, AARP has denied breaking the law but has agreed to the settlement to avoid the high costs of a long court battle.

Why you should not ignore this

If you are eligible and do nothing, you will not receive any money. The settlement does not send payments automatically. You have to file your claim to get paid.

This is essentially free money for people who qualify. The process is quick, and the only thing you need is your Facebook profile link. If you were an AARP member during the required dates, it is worth taking a few minutes to file.

Recommended: 

Checks of up to $5,000 being paid this month in Wells Fargo phone call settlement case

Drivers have a November deadline to claim a $3,850 check for the “defective” car settlement – If you have this car, you can claim the payment

Goodbye to AT&T’s $7,500 payment – This is the deadline for thousands of Americans to claim their compensation following the settlement  for data breach

Enobong Demas
Enobong Demashttps://polifinus.com/author/e-demas/
I write on social welfare programs and initiatives for the United States, focusing on how these programs impact the lives of everyday Americans. My background in environmental sciences allows me to approach these topics with a unique analytical lens to provide my readers with a clear and well-rounded insight, eliminating the complexities often common with these topics.

Must read

Related News