Fort Wayne Medical Education Program Data Breach Settlement

Individuals whose private information the December 2024 Fort Wayne Medical Education Program data breach compromised may qualify to submit a claim for up to $5,500 plus other benefits from a class action settlement.

Fort Wayne Medical Education Program agreed to settle a class action lawsuit regarding a targeted cyberattack on its computer systems. The complaint alleges the December 2024 data breach exposed personally identifiable information and protected health information belonging to 29,485 individuals.

Who can file a claim for a data breach payout?

Class members are individuals whose private information the December 2024 FWMEP data breach potentially compromised and whom the settlement class list includes.

There are two groups of class members:

• Group 1: Individuals whose Social Security numbers the breach potentially compromised
• Group 2: Individuals whose Social Security numbers the breach did not compromise but whose other private information it affected

How much are settlement payments?

Class members have the following benefit options:

• Reimbursement for ordinary out-of-pocket losses: All class members can claim up to $500 for documented expenses related to the data breach that occurred between Dec. 12, 2024, and Oct. 27, 2026. This may include credit monitoring fees, ID replacement costs and postage.
• Reimbursement for lost time: All class members can claim up to four hours at $20 per hour for time spent responding to the breach for a maximum of $80. This includes time spent researching the incident, changing passwords or investigating suspicious accounting activity. The $500 ordinary loss cap includes lost-time claims.

• Reimbursement for extraordinary out-of-pocket losses: All class members can claim up to $5,000 for documented losses from identity theft or fraud that occurred between Dec. 12, 2024, and Oct. 27, 2026, and are traceable to the data breach.
• Alternative cash payment: Class members who do not submit a claim for credit or medical monitoring, ordinary or extraordinary out-of-pocket losses, or lost time can submit a claim to receive a one-time $40 cash payment.
• Credit monitoring services: Group 1 class members can elect to receive two years of CyEx Financial Shield Complete, which includes $1 million in financial fraud insurance and monitoring for identity theft, unauthorized transactions and high-risk activity.
• Medical monitoring services: Group 2 class members can elect to receive two years of CyEx Medical Shield Complete, which includes $1 million in medical identity theft insurance and monitoring for health care ID exposure, medical record number exposure and unauthorized HSA spending.

How to claim a class action rebate

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

Settlement administrator's mailing address: FWMEP Data Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

Settlement administrator's email address: info@FWMEPDataSettlement.com

The claim deadline is Oct. 27, 2026.

Required proof and claim information

• Online claims require the login ID and PIN from the settlement notice the class member received.
• Ordinary and extraordinary out-of-pocket losses claims require supporting documentation, which may include receipts, bank or credit card statements or other proof of identity theft or fraud.
• Lost time claims require a brief description of how the class member spent their time dealing with the data breach.

Payout options

• Zelle
• PayPal
• Venmo
• 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 $475,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $2,500 each ($17,500 total)
• Credit and medical monitoring: Cost determined by number of claims filed
• Payments to approved claimants: Total determined by number of valid claims filed

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: Oct. 27, 2026
• Deadline to opt out: Oct. 27, 2026
• Final approval hearing: Dec. 7, 2026

When is the FWMEP data breach settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to approved claimants after it completes claim processing and the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit claimed a targeted cyberattack on FWMEP’s systems in December 2024 exposed sensitive personal and health information. The plaintiffs alleged FWMEP failed to adequately protect this data.

FWMEP denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.

Sources

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