Philadelphia Inquirer $525,000 Data Breach Settlement

If you were notified by the Philadelphia Inquirer that your personal information may have been compromised in a data breach, you may be eligible to claim up to $5,000 from a class action settlement.

The Philadelphia Inquirer has agreed to pay $525,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for allegedly failing to adequately protect personal information during a cyberattack.

Who can file a claim?

The settlement class includes approximately 25,549 individuals whose private information was potentially compromised in the data incident.

This includes:

• Subscribers
• Employees and former employees
• Applicants
• Family members of employees on company benefit plans

If you received a notice by mail, you are automatically considered a class member. If you did not receive a notice but believe you are affected, you should contact the settlement administrator for verification.

What compensation is available?

• Documented Loss Payment: Up to $5,000 for documented losses related to identity theft or fraud resulting from the data breach. This includes unreimbursed losses incurred on or after May 11, 2023.
• Cash Fund Payment: Pro rata cash payments from the remaining settlement fund. The exact amount will depend on the number of valid claims submitted.
• Credit Monitoring and Insurance Services: One year of credit monitoring and insurance services, including up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.

The settlement fund will first cover the costs of credit monitoring services. Any remaining funds will be used to pay documented loss claims, followed by cash fund payments.

If there are leftover funds, they will be distributed equally among claimants who have cashed their initial checks.

How to claim an award

To claim an award, you must submit a claim form by February 27, 2025. You can file a claim online or download a PDF claim form to mail to the settlement administrator.

Claim administrator mailing address: Philadelphia Inquirer Data Security Litigation Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 301132, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132.

Claimants must provide proof of their documented losses, including:

• Receipts or statements showing unreimbursed fraud losses
• Invoices for professional fees related to identity theft recovery
• Documentation of credit monitoring services purchased after the breach

Claim instructions

Follow these steps to submit your claim:

1. Visit the settlement website and enter your claim ID.
2. Choose the type of compensation you are claiming.
3. Upload or mail any required documentation.
4. Submit your claim before the deadline.

Payout options

Class members can receive payments via:

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Zelle
• Virtual prepaid card
• Physical check

Important dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: February 27, 2025
• Final Approval Hearing: March 18, 2025

When is the Philadelphia Inquirer Data Security Litigation payout date?

The court will hold a final approval hearing on March 18, 2025. If the settlement is approved, payments will be distributed to class members who submitted valid claims.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The lawsuit was filed because the Philadelphia Inquirer allegedly failed to protect personal information during a cyberattack. The settlement was reached to avoid the risks and costs of continued litigation.