THOUSANDS of Americans could receive one-time payments of up to $5,000 from a multi-million dollar data breach settlement.
Staffing agency Automation Personnel Services (APS) has agreed to pay almost $1.4 million to settle a class action lawsuit over claims of a 2020 data breach.
Claimants can cash in on up to $5,000 for out-of-pocket losses[/caption]
According to the lawsuit, APS failed to protect the data it held securely enough from cyberattacks.
The data breach allegedly allowed sensitive information, including Social Security numbers and bank account information, into the hands of cyber attackers.
Anyone whose personal information was potentially compromised in the November 2020 date breach, announced by APS in March 2021, is eligible to file a claim report.
The company has not admitted any wrongdoing but has agreed to pay the $1.375 sum to settle out of court.
Under the terms of the settlement, claimants can receive up to $5,000 each as reimbursement for losses related to the data breach.
This could include bank fees, credit monitoring services and fraudulent charges.
Documentation of out-of-pocket losses, such as receipts, bills or bank statements, will be needed to back up claims.
Class members can also claim for up to four hours of lost time compensation at a rate of $20 per hour.
All members are eligible to receive one year of free credit monitoring from Identity Theft Guard Solutions.
The deadline to file a claim form is December 24, 2024.
The final approval hearing for the settlement will be on February 6, 2025.
Claims are submitted under penalty of perjury, so must only be filed by people who qualify.
False claims also damage other eligible class members.
The class action lawsuit was initially filed by Tereas Madkin, who claimed APS had been negligent by failing to protect its employees and customers’ private information by allowing a data breach to occur.
It was filed in the Circuit Court for Jefferson County, Alabama on July 29, 2021.
APS is a staffing agency with more than 40 locations and 37,000 employees.
It collects and stores sensitive personal information from those trying to find employment through the company.
The lawsuit states: “During the screening and vetting process, APS collects from and maintains sensitive personal identifying information (PII) for each associate and/or applicant.
“The information collected and maintained includes […] social security number, driver’s license number, bank account information, date of birth, email address, cell phone number and home address.”
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.
MORE SETTLEMENT OFFERS
Great Expressions, a network of 246 dental care centers nationwide, was sued for allegedly failing to protect consumer information from a September 2023 data breach.
Great Expressions is settling over allegations that its cybersecurity measures were insufficient, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive consumer information.
The chain has not admitted wrongdoing but agreed to settle the lawsuit to resolve the claims.
The settlement benefits those who received a notification from Great Expressions about the data breach.
It distinguishes between two subclasses based on whether the breach potentially compromised Social Security numbers.
Popular protective equipment and clothing brand Magid Glove are at the heart of the $5,175 million settlement.
They are accused of violating Illinois laws by using “fingerprint time clocks” and taking temperatures with scanners over eight years.
Anyone who used a fingerprint-scanning clock or had their temperature taken by one of the scanners may be eligible.
According to the class action lawsuit, Magid Glove used fingerprint time clocks and temperature scanners without notifying people properly.
It affects those who used either device at Magid’s Romeoville, Illinois, facility between January 8, 2016, up to August 30, 2024.
Meanwhile, streaming giant Tubi – one of the most-watched services on the market – agreed to pay $19.99 million to settle a class action lawsuit.
The privacy suit alleges that Tubi shared users’ personal information with third parties without getting their consent first, violating the Video Privacy Protection Act.
While the streaming company has not admitted any wrongdoing, it has agreed to pay the sum to settle the lawsuit.
And this means thousands of Tubi users now stand a chance to get a share from the million-dollar payout.
Certain Costco shoppers may soon receive refunds as part of a $3.875 million settlement for overcharges.
Additionally, eligible claimants on Cash App could receive up to $2,500 from a $15 million settlement related to a data breach.
