Brightline $7,000,000 Data Breach Settlement

If you are a resident of the United States who received a notice regarding the Brightline Data Incident, you may be eligible to claim up to $5,000 from a class action settlement.

Brightline, Inc. has agreed to pay $7,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit due to allegations of unauthorized access to private information through the Fortra GoAnywhere MFT application.

Who can file a claim?

To qualify as a Settlement Class member:

• You must be a resident of the United States.
• You should have received a notice indicating that your private information may have been affected by the Brightline Data Incident.

Additionally, if you were living in California as of January 30, 2023, you are part of the California Settlement Subclass.

How much can class members get?

• Cash Payment A: You can claim up to $5,000 for documented losses related to the Data Incident. Documentation is required to support your claim.
• Cash Payment B: A flat payment of $100 is available if you choose not to submit documentation for losses.
• California Statutory Award: An additional $100 is available for California residents who are part of the subclass.
• Credit Monitoring: Up to three years of free credit monitoring, or one additional year if you already accepted Brightline’s offer of two years.

The awards may be subject to pro rata adjustments based on the number of valid claims submitted. For example, if the total claims exceed the Net Settlement Fund, the awards will be reduced proportionally.

Docs required to submit a claim

To claim Cash Payment A, you must provide documentation of losses incurred due to the Data Incident. This includes receipts, account statements, or other relevant documents.

• Cash Payment A: Requires documentation of losses.
• Cash Payment B: No documentation required.
• California Statutory Award: No additional documentation required beyond proof of California residency.
• Credit Monitoring: No documentation required if opting for this benefit.

How to claim an award

To claim an award, you can file a claim online or download the PDF claim form and submit it by mail. If submitting by mail, send your completed form to:

Brightline Data Incident Settlement

c/o Settlement Administrator

P.O. Box 4867

Portland, OR 97208-4867

Ensure your claim is submitted online or postmarked by February 26, 2025.

Claim instructions

Follow these steps to submit your claim:

1. Gather all necessary documentation supporting your claim.
2. Visit the settlement website and log in using your Unique ID and PIN.
3. Complete the claim form, selecting the type of compensation you are claiming.
4. Upload any required documentation if filing online, or include it with your mailed form.
5. Submit your claim by the deadline.

Payment methods

Class members can receive their payments via:

• Electronic transfer
• Paper check

$7 Million settlement fund

The settlement fund of $7,000,000 will cover:

• Cash Payments to class members
• California Statutory Awards
• Credit Monitoring costs
• Settlement Administration Costs
• Attorneys’ fees up to 33.33% of the Settlement Fund

Important dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: February 26, 2025
• Deadline to Opt-Out of the Settlement: January 9, 2025
• Final Approval Hearing: February 10, 2025

When is the Brightline Data Incident payout date?

The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on February 10, 2025, to decide whether to approve the settlement. If approved, the settlement benefits will be distributed to eligible class members.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The lawsuit alleges that unauthorized individuals accessed Brightline’s systems, compromising private information of approximately one million individuals. The parties agreed to settle to avoid the burden and expense of continued litigation.