Universal Lenders Data Breach Class Action Settlement

Current and former customers who received a mailed notice from Universal Lenders in early 2026 informing them that their personal information may have been compromised in a November 2024 data breach, may be qualify to submit a claim for up to $2,500 and free credit monitoring from a class action settlement.

Universal Lenders LLC has agreed to pay to settle a class action lawsuit that was filed after a targeted cyberattack exposed sensitive customer data, including names, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers and driver’s license numbers. The data incident impacted approximately 19,575 individuals

Who can file a claim for a data breach payout?

Class members are individuals who were mailed a notice by Universal Lenders LLC stating that their private information was potentially compromised in the November 2024 data breach.

How much will the settlement payment be?

Class members have the following benefit options:

• Credit monitoring: All class members can elect to receive three years of single-bureau credit monitoring services, which includes $1 million in identity theft insurance, real-time credit file monitoring, dark web scanning and public records monitoring.
• Expense reimbursement: Class members can claim up to $2,500 for documented out-of-pocket expenses related to the data breach. This may include costs for credit report copies, credit freezing fees, card replacement fees, bank or credit card fees, interest and fees on payday loans related to the data breach and other incidental expenses.
• Alternative cash payment: Class members that do not submit an expense reimbursement claim can submit to receive a one-time $50 payment.

How to claim a class action rebate

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

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

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

The claim deadline is April 13, 2026.

Required proof and claim information

• Unique ID and PIN required to submit a claim online.
• Expense reimbursement require supporting documentation, which may include receipts, invoices, bank or credit card statements showing unreimbursed fees or fraudulent charges and other proof of expenses or fraud and identity theft.

Payout options

• Electronic payment, only available for online claims
• Paper check mailed to the address provided

Data breach settlement breakdown

The settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and costs: $200,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $1,500 each
• Credit monitoring: Cost determined by number of claims filed
• Payments to approved claimants: Total determined by number and types of claims filed

Important dates

• Opt out deadline: March 14, 2026
• Deadline to file a claim: April 13, 2026
• Final approval hearing: April 21, 2026

When is the Universal Lenders data breach settlement payout date?

Payments and credit monitoring information will be issued to approved claimants approximately 75 days after the court grants final approval or within 30 days of claim processing completion, whichever is later.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

This class action lawsuit was filed, alleging that Universal Lenders LLC failed to adequately protect private information during a targeted cyberattack in November 2024. According to the plaintiffs, the data breach resulted in unauthorized access to files containing sensitive data, including names, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers and driver’s license numbers.

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

Sources

1. Official settlement notice
2. Settlement website
3. Settlement agreement