Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Data Breach Settlement

If you were notified that your personal information was compromised in a data incident involving Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) between December 31, 2021, and January 27, 2022, you may be eligible to claim compensation from a class action settlement.

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois has agreed to pay $1,350,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged negligence, negligence per se, breach of implied contract, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Can I Claim an Award?

If your personal information was compromised in the data incident or you previously received a notification from LSSI about the incident, you are part of the Settlement Class and may be eligible for compensation. The data incident involved unauthorized access to LSSI’s computer systems, potentially exposing personal information such as names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, financial account information, driver’s license numbers, biometric information, medical diagnosis and treatment information, and health insurance information.

To be part of the Settlement Class, you must meet the following criteria:

• Your personal information was compromised in the data incident.
• You received a notification from LSSI about the data incident.

What Awards Can Class Members Claim?

Class members can claim various types of compensation, including:

• Alternative Cash Payment: Instead of claiming reimbursement for unreimbursed losses, lost time, and credit monitoring, you can opt for a pro rata cash payment from the settlement fund. The amount will depend on the number of claims and the remaining funds after other distributions.
• Compensation for Lost Time: Up to 4 hours of lost time at a rate of $25.00 per hour, if you spent at least one-half hour dealing with the data incident.
• Ordinary Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Up to $250.00 for documented expenses such as bank fees, long-distance phone charges, cell phone charges, data charges, postage, gasoline for local travel, and fees for credit reports, credit monitoring, or other identity theft insurance products purchased between December 31, 2021, and August 15, 2024.
• Extraordinary Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Up to $5,000.00 for documented expenses directly arising from identity theft or other fraud resulting from the data incident.
• Credit Monitoring and Identity Theft Protection Services: 24 months of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services, including daily three-bureau credit monitoring, identity restoration services, and $1 million in identity theft insurance.

Pro Rata Calculation Examples

If the award amount is subject to a net settlement fund calculation, the remaining funds after covering other costs will be distributed evenly among the claimants. For example, if $1,000,000 remains in the settlement fund and there are 10,000 claimants, each claimant would receive $100.

If the award is subject to pro rata calculations, the amount each claimant receives will depend on the total number of valid claims and the remaining settlement fund. For instance, if there are 5,000 claimants and $500,000 remains, each claimant would receive $100.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Yes, proof is required to claim certain types of compensation:

• Lost Time: Attestation that the claimed lost time was spent dealing with the data incident.
• Ordinary Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Documentation such as bank statements, phone bills, gas receipts, or receipts for credit monitoring services.
• Extraordinary Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Documentation showing the full amount of the claimed loss and proof that the loss was more likely than not caused by the data incident.

How to Claim Your Award

To claim your award, you must complete and submit a Claim Form. You can file a claim online by visiting the online claim form or request a Claim Form by mail by calling 1-888-871-6462. Mail your completed Claim Form to:

LSSI Data Incident Settlement Administrator

P.O. Box 2809

Portland, OR 97208-2809

Ensure your Claim Form is postmarked or submitted online by August 15, 2024.

Submitting a Claim

Follow these steps to submit your claim:

1. Visit the online claim form or request a Claim Form by mail.
2. Complete the Claim Form with your personal information and details of your claim.
3. Attach any required documentation to support your claim.
4. Submit the Claim Form online or mail it to the Settlement Administrator.

How do I Get Paid?

Class members can choose to receive their payment via Venmo, Zelle, or a physical check. Ensure you provide the necessary information for your chosen payment method on the Claim Form.

$1,350,000 Settlement Fund Breakdown

The total settlement amount is $1,350,000. This fund will cover:

• Notice and Claims Administration Costs
• Taxes owed by the Settlement Fund
• Service Awards for Class Representatives ($1,000 each for ten representatives)
• Attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses (not to exceed $540,000)
• Benefits to Settlement Class Members

Important Dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: August 15, 2024
• Final Approval Hearing: August 8, 2024

When will Awards be Paid?

Awards will be paid after the Court grants final approval of the settlement and any appeals are resolved.

Why is There a Class Action Settlement?

The lawsuit claims that LSSI failed to prevent unauthorized third parties from accessing its computer systems and data, resulting in the exposure of personal information. The settlement allows both parties to avoid the risks and costs of prolonged litigation and provides compensation to affected individuals without further delay.

What Happens Next?

The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on August 8, 2024, to decide whether to approve the settlement. If approved, the Settlement Administrator will process claims and distribute payments and credit monitoring services to eligible class members.