Newcourse Communications $600,000 Data Breach Settlement

Newcourse Communications, Inc. has agreed to pay $600,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged unauthorized access to their systems, which compromised private information. This settlement offers various benefits to those affected by the data breach.

Who Benefits?: Individuals whose Social Security Numbers were compromised and received notification from Newcourse on or about October 31, 2022, or those who asserted a claim against Newcourse or First United Bank for alleged misuse of personal information resulting in harm due to the Data Breach.

How much can I get?: Eligible individuals can receive Identity Theft Monitoring Services, up to $500 for documented Out-of-Pocket Expenses, up to $4,000 for proven Financial Losses, and compensation for up to five hours of Attested Time at $20 per hour.

Important Dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: August 24, 2024
• Final Approval Hearing Date: October 11, 2024

Can I Claim an Award?

To be eligible for the settlement, you must be a person residing in the United States and meet one of the following criteria: (a) your Social Security Number was compromised by the Data Breach and you were mailed notification by or on behalf of Newcourse on or about October 31, 2022; or (b) your Social Security Number was not compromised by the Data Breach but you were mailed notification by or on behalf of Newcourse or First United Bank and you asserted a claim against Newcourse and/or First United Bank on or before the date of the Settlement Agreement for alleged misuse of your personal information resulting in harm because of the Data Breach.

All Settlement Class Members can receive benefits from the Settlement, including Identity Theft Monitoring Services, reimbursement for documented Out-of-Pocket Expenses, compensation for Attested Time, and reimbursement for Financial Losses if they were the victim of actual, documented identity theft.

How Much Can I Claim?

Settlement Class Members can claim various benefits from the settlement:

First, Identity Theft Monitoring Services at all three credit bureaus and identity theft protection with $1 million in insurance coverage for two years.

Second, reimbursement for documented Out-of-Pocket Expenses up to $500 per Settlement Class Member. These expenses may include bank fees, long-distance phone charges, cell phone charges (only if charged by the minute), data charges (only if charged based on the amount of data used), postage, gasoline for local travel, fees for credit reports, credit monitoring, or other identity theft insurance products purchased between October 31, 2022, and April 26, 2024.

Third, compensation for up to five hours of Attested Time spent dealing with the Data Breach at a rate of $20 per hour, for a maximum of $100 per person. Settlement Class Members may receive reimbursement for Attested Time if they certify that the time was spent responding to the Data Breach.

Fourth, reimbursement for documented Financial Losses up to $4,000 per Settlement Class Member if they were the victim of actual, documented identity theft. The loss must be an actual, documented, and unreimbursed monetary loss, more likely than not caused by the Data Breach, occurred between April 27, 2022, and August 24, 2024, and not already covered by other reimbursement categories.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Yes, proof is required to claim certain awards. Settlement Class Members must submit documentation to obtain reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Expenses and Financial Losses. For Attested Time, members must describe the activities and certify that the time was spent related to the Data Breach.

• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Documentation such as bank fees, long-distance phone charges, cell phone charges, data charges, postage, gasoline for local travel, fees for credit reports, credit monitoring, or other identity theft insurance products.
• Financial Losses: Documentation of actual, documented, and unreimbursed monetary loss fairly traceable to the Data Breach, occurring between April 27, 2022, and August 24, 2024.

How to Claim Your Award

To claim your award, you must submit a Claim Form by August 24, 2024. You can submit the Claim Form electronically or mail the completed form to Arend et al. v. Newcourse Communications, Inc. et al., c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, PO Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391.

Ensure you provide all necessary supporting documentation and keep a copy of your submission for your records. If your contact information changes after submitting the Claim Form, notify the Settlement Administrator.

$600,000 Settlement Fund

Newcourse Communications, Inc. has agreed to a $600,000 settlement to resolve the claims related to the unauthorized access to their systems. This amount will cover the costs of Identity Theft Monitoring Services, reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Expenses, compensation for Attested Time, and reimbursement for Financial Losses.

The settlement amount is capped at $600,000 for the payment of Approved Claims, exclusive of costs for claimed Identity Theft Monitoring Services, Settlement Administration Costs, Service Award Payment, and the Fee Award and Costs.

The lawyers' fees, which may be up to $250,000, will not reduce the amount of the settlement fund.

Why is There a Class Action Settlement?

This class action settlement arises from the unauthorized access to Newcourse Communications, Inc.'s systems, which compromised private information. The settlement aims to provide relief to those affected by the Data Breach and avoid the cost, disruption, and distraction of further litigation.

Next steps include the Final Approval Hearing scheduled for October 11, 2024, where the Court will decide whether the proposed settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. If approved, Settlement Class Members who make timely, Approved Claims will receive their benefits.