Pierce College District $1.2M Data Breach Settlement

If you received a notice from Pierce College District about a data security incident that occurred around July 23, 2023, you may be eligible to submit a claim for a cash payment from a class action settlement.

Pierce College District has agreed to pay $1,200,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged negligence stemming from the data incident, which could have caused an increased risk for identity theft.

Who is eligible for a settlement payout?

Eligibility is determined by the following:

• You reside in the United States
• You received a notice from Pierce College notifying you of the 2023 the data incident in which your personal information may have been compromised.

How much will payments be?

Class members can claim:

• Up to $500 for documented ordinary out-of-pocket losses, including up to 3 hours calculated at $30 per hour for time spent related to the incident
• Up to $5,000 for documented extraordinary out-of-pocket losses which include actual identity theft traceable to this specific data breach
• Three years of free credit monitoring and identity theft insurance
• A pro rata cash payment of up to $500 to every approved claimants from all leftover settlement funds, if any

How do I claim my payout?

To claim a cash payment, you must complete a claim form and submit or mail by the March 3, 2025 deadline. You can file a claim online or download the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator.

Settlement Administrator's mailing address: McAuley v. Pierce College Settlement c/o CPT Group, Inc., 50 Corporate Park, Irvine, CA 92606.

Do I need to include documentation to receive a settlement payment?

Some proof is required:

• CPT ID and Passcode required to submit online, CPT ID required on printed claim form
• For an Ordinary Lost Payment claim, provide receipts or statements showing the expenses or out-of-pocket losses
• No documentation is required for up to three hours of lost time

• For an Extraordinary Loss Payment claim , provide documentation demonstrating the financial loss connected to the data incident and efforts to seek restitution
• No additional documentation required to claim the free identity theft protection and credit monitoring services or a payment from leftover settlement funds, however a claim form must be submitted to receive

$1.2 Million settlement fund

The settlement fund of $1,200,000 will cover:

• Payments to valid claimants
• Credit monitoring & identity theft protection for approved claims
• Settlement administration and notice costs
• Attorneys' fees and cots of $400,000
• Service awards to each class representative between $1,500 and $4,000, not to exceed a total of $61,000

Important dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: March 3, 2025
• Final Approval Hearing: February 21, 2025

When is the Pierce College District payout date?

The court has scheduled the final approval hearing for February 21, 2025. If the judge approves the settlement and no appeals are filed, payments will be distributed to approved claimants after claim processing is complete.

Why was there a class action settlement?

The lawsuit alleged that Pierce College District was negligent in protecting personal data from a cybersecurity incident, leading to an increased risk of identity theft. The settlement avoids the costs of continued litigation and offers compensation to impacted individuals.