OVER a hundred Americans are eligible for up to $10,000 from a data breach payout.
It comes after a class action lawsuit was filed against cleaning company Stanley Steemer.
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Claimants can get up to $10,000 for documented losses as part of the settlementCredit: Getty
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Stanley Steemer has admitted no wrongdoing in agreeing to settleCredit: Getty
The suit claims that the company failed to adequately protect the sensitive information of customers and employees when targeted by cyber criminals in 2023.
It suffered a severe data breach on or about February 10, 2023, which the lawsuit claims the company could have prevented with better cyber security measures.
In agreeing to a $700,000 settlement, the Stanley Steemer has admitted no wrongdoing.
The complaint alleges that the company “lost control over [sensitive] data when cyber criminals infiltrated its insufficiently protected computer systems in a data breach.”
The compromised data included names, Social Security numbers, and financial account numbers.
This included Credit/Debit Card Number and the security code, access code, password or PIN for the account, and other personal identifying information.
It added that the criminals had access to this data for an unknown amount of time which has seen some affected customers and employees “suffer injury”.
As a result, they and other eligible class members can claim compensation under the terms of the settlement.
Those who are eligible to claim will have received a notice of the breach from Stanley Steemer stating that their information was or may have been compromised.
There are two payment options that claimants can choose from.
The first is for those with documented financial losses as a direct result of the breach.
This includes expenses, losses or charges as a result of identity theft or frauds, credit report expenses, and other fees.
To claim under this, class members will have to submit proof such as receipts and bank statements.
There is a cap of $10,000 on how much class members can claim for under this payment method.
What’s a class-action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or ‘classes,’ a way to band together in court.
These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.
When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.
These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.
The second option is for claimants to choose a pro rata cash payment.
This is a flat rate that is divided evenly among all pro rata cash claims from what is left from the net settlement fund.
For affected employees, the rate is $100 and for customers it is $50.
No proof of loss has to be submitted with this claim.
But all claimants will have to take action quickly as the deadline to submit claims is on April 28.
This is also when class members should object or exclude themselves from the settlement if they wish.
A final approval hearing is scheduled for May 27, after which payments will be made.
Meanwhile, time is running out for Wells Fargo customers to get up to $5,000 in a $19.5 million settlement.