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If you received a written notice from D.C. & Associates of Central Florida, P.A. (DCACF) about a data incident on or around July 26, 2023, you may be eligible to claim up to $5,000 from a class action settlement.
D.C. & Associates of Central Florida, P.A., a provider of tax, accounting, and payroll services, has agreed to settle a lawsuit for alleged failure to protect customer data after a ransomware attack on April 3, 2023.
The incident may have exposed sensitive personal information, including names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and bank account numbers. DCACF denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to this settlement to avoid the expense and burden of litigation.
Who can file a claim?
According to the official settlement website, you are eligible to file a claim if:
- You are a U.S. resident who received written notification from DCACF about the data incident on or around July 26, 2023.
- The notification stated that your personal information may have been exposed in the April 3, 2023 data breach.
- If you received a direct notice (by mail or email) from DCACF, you are likely included.
To confirm your eligibility, you must provide either the unique identifier from your notice or the name and address you used with DCACF for customer purposes.
If you are uncertain, you can call 1-833-360-6805 for more information.
How much can class members get?
The settlement provides several types of compensation, depending on your situation and the losses you experienced:
- Free Credit Monitoring: All class members can claim two years of three-bureau credit monitoring, which includes dark web scanning, identity theft insurance, real-time credit monitoring, and access to fraud resolution agents.
- Ordinary Expense Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 for unreimbursed costs or expenditures incurred in responding to the data incident, including up to $80 for lost time (at $20 per hour, up to 4 hours). Eligible expenses include costs for credit reports, credit freezes, notary, fax, postage, copying, mileage, long-distance calls, and credit monitoring purchased after July 26, 2023.
- Extraordinary Expense Reimbursement: Up to $5,000 for unreimbursed costs or expenditures fairly traceable to the data breach, such as losses from identity theft, fraud, or falsified tax returns, including up to $240 for lost time (at $30 per hour, up to 8 hours).
- Alternative Cash Payment: If you do not claim out-of-pocket losses or lost time, you may claim a flat $50 cash payment instead. You cannot claim both reimbursement for losses and the alternative cash payment.
How to claim an award
To claim an award, you must submit a claim form. You can file a claim online or download the PDF claim form to mail in your claim. Completed paper claim forms and supporting documentation should be mailed to the settlement administrator.
Settlement Administrator's mailing address: DC & Associates of Central Florida Settlement, Claims Administrator, PO Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799
The deadline to submit your claim online or have it postmarked by mail is October 15, 2025.
What documentation required to submit a claim?
Proof of class membership is required, such as the unique identifier from your notice or your name and address as provided to DCACF.
- For Ordinary Expense Reimbursement: Receipts or statements for claimed expenses.
- For Extraordinary Expense Reimbursement: Proof of losses and a narrative of actions taken.
- For lost time: An attestation and description of activities performed.
- For the alternative cash payment: Proof of class membership only.
Claim instructions
Follow these steps to submit your claim:
- Gather your claim notice or information you used with DCACF (name and address).
- Decide which benefit(s) you wish to claim: credit monitoring, reimbursement, or alternative cash payment.
- If claiming reimbursement, collect documentation for your expenses and/or a description of lost time.
- Go to the online claim form or download the PDF claim form.
- Fill out the claim form completely, following all instructions.
- If filing by mail, send your completed form and documentation to the claim administrator.
- If filing online, upload your documentation as instructed and submit by the deadline.
Payout options
- By check mailed to the address you provide on your claim form
- By PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or a pre-paid card if you file your claim online and select this option
Settlement fund expenses
The settlement fund will cover attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses, as well as a service award for the representative plaintiff. Payments to class members are not reduced by these amounts, as they are paid separately according to the settlement terms.
- Attorneys' fees and expenses: Up to $100,000 (as approved by the court)
- Service award to the representative plaintiff: $2,500
- Payments to class members: Amounts claimed under the settlement, not reduced by attorneys’ fees or service awards
Important dates
- Opt-Out Deadline: September 15, 2025
- Fairness Hearing: October 7, 2025
- Claim Deadline: October 15, 2025
When is the DCACF Data Incident Settlement payout date?
After the claim deadline on October 15, 2025, the court will hold a final approval hearing on October 7, 2025. If the settlement is approved and any appeals are resolved, payments and benefits will be distributed to eligible class members who filed valid claims.
Why is there a class action settlement?
This lawsuit was filed because a ransomware attack on DCACF’s network allegedly exposed sensitive personal information of current and former customers. The claims against DCACF included negligence, breach of implied contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
DCACF denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of litigation and to provide compensation to affected individuals.
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