.png)
Individuals who received a notice stating The Computer Merchant Ltd.'s July 2024 data breach may have compromised their private information could qualify to submit a claim for up to $3,600 from a class action settlement.
The Computer Merchant agreed to pay $610,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging a targeted cyberattack on its computer network in July 2024 potentially exposed private information belonging to approximately 34,127 current and former employees and job applicants.
Who can file a claim for a data breach payout?
Class members are individuals in the United States whose private information the July 2024 data breach potentially compromised and whom The Computer Merchant sent notice of the breach.
How much will settlement payments be?
Class members have the following benefit options:
- Compensation for extraordinary losses: Class members can claim up to $3,000 for documented, unreimbursed losses caused by identity theft or fraud related to the data breach. They must have incurred these losses between July 1, 2024, and June 24, 2026, and the out-of-pocket loss category must not already cover them.
- Out-of-pocket losses: Class members can claim up to $500 in documented out-of-pocket expenses related to the data breach. This includes fees for credit reports, credit monitoring, freezing/unfreezing credit, cost to replace IDs and postage to contact financial institution. They must have incurred these losses between July 1, 2024, and June 24, 2026.
- Alternative cash payment: Class members who do not claim out-of-pocket losses can submit a claim to receive a one-time cash payment estimated at $40. The settlement administrator will determine the final payment amount by the total number of claims filed.
- Compensation for lost time: Class members can claim up to five hours of lost time spent dealing with the data breach at $20 per hour for a maximum of $100.
- CCPA cash payment: Class members who are California residents can submit a claim to receive an additional one-time cash payment estimated at $75. The settlement administrator will determine the final payment amount by the total number of claims filed.
- CyEx Financial Shield: All class members will receive an enrollment code for one year of CyEx Financial Shield Complete. This includes $1 million in financial fraud insurance, monitoring for identity theft, unauthorized transactions and high-risk activity and access to fraud resolution agents if necessary. Class members do not need to submit a claim to receive this benefit.
How to claim a class action rebate
To receive a settlement payment, class members can file a claim online or print a PDF claim form to complete and mail to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: TCM Data Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799
The claim deadline is June 24, 2026.
Required proof and claim information
- Online claims require the unique ID and PIN from the settlement notice the class member received.
- Extraordinary losses claims require supporting documentation, which may include receipts, bank or credit card statements showing fees or fraudulent charges, police reports and any other proof of identity theft or fraud. Claimants must also show that they tried to recover the monetary losses through other means.
- Out-of-pocket losses claims require supporting documentation, which may include receipts, invoices or other proof of expenses.
- Lost time claims require a description of how they spent the time.
Payout options
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Zelle
- Virtual prepaid card
- Paper check mailed to the address provided
Data breach settlement fund breakdown
The settlement fund of $610,000 will include:
- Settlement administration costs: To be determined
- Attorneys' fees: $152,500
- Attorneys' expenses: To be presented to the court for approval at a later date
- Service awards to class representatives: $2,500 each ($5,000 total)
- Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds
The Computer Merchant will pay costs associated with CyEx Financial Shield services separately.
Important dates
- Opt-out deadline: June 9, 2026
- Deadline to file a claim: June 24, 2026
- Final approval hearing: July 9, 2026
When is the Computer Merchant data breach settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments to approved class members after the court grants final approval of the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
The class action lawsuit alleged The Computer Merchant experienced a cyberattack impacting current and former employees and job applicants in July 2024. The plaintiffs alleged the company maintained insufficient security practices, leading to unauthorized access to files containing sensitive data.
TCM denies the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainty and expense of further litigation.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.svg)