Bell Flavors & Fragrances Data Breach Settlement

Current and former employees who received a notice from Bell Flavors & Fragrances Inc. about a data breach in July 2023 may qualify to submit a claim for up to $4,500 plus up to two years of credit monitoring from a class action settlement.

Bell Flavors & Fragrances Inc. agreed to pay to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the company failed to adequately protect personal information during a cyberattack that occurred around July 30, 2023. The lawsuit claims unauthorized parties accessed or obtained files containing sensitive information, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers, medical information and details related to employee benefits.

Who qualifies for a data breach payout?

Class members are individuals residing in the United States who received a notice from Bell Flavors & Fragrances Inc. informing them that their personal information may have been compromised in the July 2023 security incident.

How much is the class action settlement payout?

Claimants can submit for one or more of the following benefits:

• Documented out-of-pocket losses: Class members may claim up to $4,500 in documented and unreimbursed financial losses that occurred after July 30, 2023, and are most likely traceable to the data breach. Qualifying expenses include fees for credit reports, monitoring or freezing/unfreezing credit, professional fees for services and other unreimbursed charges or fees caused by fraud or identity theft.
• Lost time reimbursement: Class members can claim up to five hours of lost time dealing with the data breach at $20 per hour for a maximum of $100. Lost time claims are included in the $4,500 out-of-pocket losses cap.
• Credit monitoring: Class members can select to receive two years of three-bureau credit monitoring through LifeLock Defender Preferred. The service includes identity theft insurance, stolen funds and personal expenses reimbursement and legal and expert fees up to $1 million.

How to claim a class action rebate

Class members can file a claim online or request a PDF claim form to print and mail in by emailing the settlement administrator at info@SchillerSettlement.com. The claim deadline of Oct. 23, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Settlement Administrator, c/o Rust Consulting Inc. – 8972, PO Box 2599 Faribault, MN 55021-9599

Required proof and claim information

• To submit an online claim, class members must provide the claimant ID from the settlement notice they received.
• For out-of-pocket losses claims, class members must provide supporting documentation. This includes receipts, bank or credit card statements, invoices, police reports or other proof of unreimbursed charges or fees due to fraud or identity theft.

Payout options

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Paper check mailed to the address provided

Data breach settlement fund breakdown

The settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses: Up to $140,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $2,500 each
• Credit monitoring: Cost determined by the number of claims filed
• Payments to approved claimants: Amount determined by number and type of claims filed

Important dates

• Deadline to request exclusion: Sept. 23, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Oct. 15, 2025
• Deadline to file a claim: Oct. 23, 2025

When is the Bell Flavors & Fragrances settlement payout date?

Payments will be issued to valid claimants after the court grants final approval of the settlement, claim review is complete and the settlement administrator receives the funds from the defendant.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged Bell Flavors & Fragrances Inc. experienced a cyberattack in July 2023 that potentially exposed the sensitive personal information of current and former employees. The plaintiffs allege that Bell Flavors failed to implement adequate data security measures, resulting in unauthorized access to personal data.

Bell Flavors denies these allegations but agreed to the settlement to avoid the costs and risks involved with further litigation.

Sources

1. Official settlement website FAQ page
2. Class notice
3. Official settlement documents