First Baptist Church Data Breach Class Action Settlement

Individuals who received notification of the July 2025 cyberattack on First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, may be eligible to submit a claim for up to $5,030 from a class action settlement. The data breach impacted approximately 4,251 people.

First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana Inc. agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it failed to adequately protect personal information, including names and Social Security numbers, during a targeted cyberattack in July 2025.

Who can file a claim for a data breach payout?

Class members are individuals whose personally identifiable information the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, data breach that occurred in July 2025 compromised.

How much are settlement payments?

Class members have the following benefit options:

• Ordinary documented out-of-pocket expenses: Class members can claim up to $450 for ordinary documented out-of-pocket expenses that occurred between July 1, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2026, and are traceable to the data breach. Eligible expenses include fees for credit reports, credit monitoring costs, costs to freeze/unfreeze credit, costs to replace IDs and postage to financial institutions.
• Extraordinary documented out-of-pocket losses: Class members can claim up to $4,500 for documented monetary losses likely connected to the data breach that identity theft or fraud caused. Ordinary out-of-pocket expenses must not cover the expense, and the claimant must show they tried to recover the loss, such as by using insurance.
• Lost time: All class members can also claim up to four hours at $20 per hour for time spent responding to the data breach ($80 maximum). This includes time spent changing passwords, investigating suspicious activity and researching the data incident.
• Alternative cash payment: Class members who do not claim ordinary or extraordinary out-of-pocket expenses and/or lost time can submit a claim to receive a one-time cash payment of $50.

How to claim a class action rebate

To receive a settlement payment, class members can file a claim online or print the PDF claim form to complete and mail to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: FBC Data Security Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799

The claim deadline is Sept. 30, 2026.

Required proof and claim information

• Online claims require the login ID and PIN from the settlement notice the class member received.
• Ordinary out-of-pocket expenses require supporting documentation, which may include receipts and bank or credit card statements.
• Extraordinary losses claims require supporting documentation showing the monetary loss, evidence the data breach likely caused it and proof the claimant attempted to recover the loss. Evidence may include bank or credit card statements showing unreimbursed charges due to fraud, bank or credit card company correspondence, police reports and other proof of identity theft and fraud.
• Lost time claims require a brief description of how the class member spent the time.

Payout options

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Zelle
• Virtual prepaid card
• Paper check mailed to the address provided

Settlement fund breakdown

The settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and costs: Up to $250,000
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $2,500 each
• Payments to approved claimants: Total determined by the number of valid claims filed

Important dates

• Opt-out deadline: Sept. 16, 2026
• Claim deadline: Sept. 30, 2026
• Final approval hearing: Nov. 30, 2026

When is the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, data breach settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments after the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit claimed a targeted cyberattack on FBC's computer systems in July 2025 resulted in unauthorized access to files containing personal information. The plaintiffs alleged FBC failed to adequately protect this information, which belongs to staff, contractors and volunteers.

First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and risk of continued litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement website FAQ page
3. Claim form