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Individuals whose personal information the January 2024 Schuster Co. data breach potentially impacted may be eligible to claim up to $2,500 and/or credit monitoring from a class action settlement.
Schuster Co. agreed to settle a class action lawsuit related to a cybersecurity incident that allegedly exposed sensitive personal information, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and driver’s license or state identification numbers.
Who can file a claim?
The settlement class includes all individuals residing in the United States whose personal information the January 2024 Schuster data incident compromised. This includes anyone who received notice from Schuster about the data breach.
How much can class members receive?
Class members can claim one of two types of cash payments, as well as credit monitoring services.
- Cash payment A – out-of-pocket losses: Class members who experienced actual, documented, unreimbursed out-of-pocket losses related to fraud or identity theft due to the data incident can claim up to $2,500. They may also claim compensation for time spent addressing issues related to the data incident at a rate of $20 per hour for up to four hours (maximum $80). The combined maximum for out-of-pocket losses and lost time is $2,500. Eligible losses include:
- Losses from identity theft or fraud
- Fees for credit reports, credit monitoring or freezing/unfreezing credit
- Costs to replace IDs
- Postage to contact banks
- Cash payment B – alternative cash payment: Class members who do not have documented losses may claim a one-time $50 payment. No documentation is required for this option.
- Credit monitoring: All class members are eligible for two years of CyEx Financial Shield, which monitors for fraud, identity theft, unauthorized transactions and high-risk activity. If the program detects suspicious activity, class members can speak with a fraud resolution agent.
How to claim a class action payment
Class members can file a claim online or download and print a PDF claim form, fill it out and mail it to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Schuster Data Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
The deadline to submit a claim is Sept. 14, 2026.
What proof or documentation is required to submit a claim?
- Out-of-pocket losses: Class members must provide documentation, such as receipts or other proof of expenses. Personal certifications or affidavits are not sufficient by themselves, but class members may include them for clarification.
- Lost time compensation: Class members must provide a detailed description of the time spent and activities performed and attest under penalty of perjury that the information is true.
- Alternative cash payment and credit monitoring: No documentation required.
- Online claims: Class members must provide the login ID and PIN from the settlement notice they received.
Payout options
- Paper check (for mailed claim forms)
- Digital payment via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or virtual card (for online claims only)
Settlement fund breakdown
The settlement fund will cover:
- Settlement administration costs: $21,000
- Attorneys' fees and costs: Up to $140,000
- Service awards to class representatives: $3,000 each ($6,000 total)
- Credit monitoring costs: Dependent on number of valid claims for this option
- Payments to class members: Remainder of the fund
Important dates
- Deadline to opt out: Aug. 14, 2026
- Deadline to file a claim: Sept. 14, 2026
- Final approval hearing: Sept. 28, 2026
When is the McAlister v. Schuster Co. payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
The class action lawsuit claimed Schuster Co. failed to adequately protect personal information during a January 2024 cybersecurity incident. The plaintiffs alleged unauthorized parties accessed files containing sensitive data.
Schuster denies wrongdoing, but both sides agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainty, costs and disruptions of further litigation.
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