Telmate $4.23 Million Data Breach Class Action Settlement

Individuals in the United States whose personal information the August 2020 Telmate data breach impacted may qualify to submit a claim for a cash payment from a class action settlement. The cybersecurity incident impacted approximately 431,031 people.

Telmate LLC, d/b/a Viapath Technologies, agreed to pay $4.23 million to settle a class action lawsuit. The plaintiff alleges Telmate failed to implement adequate security measures and did not provide timely notice to individuals whose personal information the security incident impacted in August 2020.

Telmate provides communication services to incarcerated individuals and their families through services that include GettingOut, VisitNow, Command, Telmate Inmate Telephone and Guardian. The compromised information included names, dates of birth, contact information, Social Security numbers, payment card numbers and financial account information.

Who can file a claim for a data breach payout?

Class members are individuals residing in the United States whose personal information the Telmate data breach that occurred on or around Aug. 13, 2020, compromised.

How much are settlement payments?

Class members can claim one or both of the following benefits:

• Pro rata cash payment: Class members can submit a claim to receive a pro rata cash payment from the net settlement fund after the settlement administrator pays out all out-of-pocket loss claims. The administrator will determine the final payment amount by the total number of claims filed.
• Reimbursement for documented out-of-pocket loss: Class members can claim up to $5,000 for documented unreimbursed out-of-pocket losses the data breach most likely caused.

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 it to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Cooper v. Telmate LLC d/b/a Viapath Technologies, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391

The claim deadline is Dec. 21, 2026.

Required proof and claim information

• To submit a claim online or by mail, class members must provide the class member ID from the settlement notice they received.
• To submit an out-of-pocket loss reimbursement claims, class members must provide third-party documentation, which may include receipts, bills, bank or credit card statements and other proof of fraud or identity theft.

Payout options

• Electronic payment
• Paper check mailed to the address provided (only option for mailed claims)

Settlement fund breakdown

The $4,225,000 settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: Estimated $493,077
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $1,408,333.33
• Attorneys' expenses: Up to $35,000
• Service award to class representative: $5,000
• Payments to eligible claimants: Remaining settlement funds

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: Dec. 21, 2026
• Opt-out deadline: Dec. 21, 2026
• Final approval hearing: Feb. 12, 2027

When is the Telmate data breach settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to approved claimants approximately 90 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit claimed unauthorized third parties accessed Telmate’s computer network between Aug. 11 and Aug. 13, 2020, compromising the personal information of users of its services. The complaint alleged Telmate failed to implement adequate security measures and did not notify affected individuals in a timely manner.

Telmate denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation.

Sources

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