WPAS $1.75M Settlement for Data Security Incident

If you participated in funds or trusts managed by Welfare & Pension Administration Service, Inc. (WPAS) and your private information was potentially compromised in a data security incident on or around July 21, 2021, you may be eligible to claim up to $5,000 from a class action settlement.

WPAS has agreed to pay at least $1,000,000 and up to $1,750,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged mishandling of private information during a cybersecurity incident.

Can I Claim an Award?

To be eligible for the settlement, you must be an individual residing in the United States who participated in funds or trusts managed by WPAS and whose private information was potentially compromised as a result of the data security incident on or around July 21, 2021. This includes anyone who was notified that their information might have been affected.

Settlement Class Members are those who meet the following criteria:

• Reside in the United States
• Participated in funds or trusts managed by WPAS
• Had their private information potentially compromised in the data security incident

What Awards Can Class Members Claim?

Class members can claim various awards based on the type of loss they experienced. The available awards include:

• Extraordinary Loss Claims: Up to $5,000 per claimant for actual, documented, and unreimbursed monetary loss arising from identity theft, fraud, or similar misuse. The loss must have occurred between July 21, 2021, and September 18, 2024, and must not be covered by other reimbursement categories.
• Ordinary Loss Claims: Up to $500 per claimant for out-of-pocket costs and expenditures that are fairly traceable to the security incident and have not been reimbursed by a third party. This includes professional fees, costs associated with freezing or unfreezing credit, bank fees, and more.
• Lost Time Claims: $25 per hour for up to 4 hours (totaling $100) for time spent responding to issues raised by the data security incident. Claimants must attest to the time spent and describe the activities performed.
• Credit Monitoring Services: Settlement Class Members can enroll in 2 years of credit monitoring and identity theft protection services with $1,000,000 in insurance.
• Alternative Cash Payment: In lieu of claiming other losses or credit monitoring, Settlement Class Members can claim a $50 alternative cash payment.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Yes, proof is required to claim certain rewards. Claimants must provide documentation to support their claims for extraordinary and ordinary losses. For lost time claims, claimants must attest to the time spent and describe the activities performed.

• Extraordinary Loss Claims: Documentation showing actual, documented, and unreimbursed monetary loss.
• Ordinary Loss Claims: Documentation demonstrating out-of-pocket costs and expenditures.
• Lost Time Claims: Attestation and description of time spent responding to the data security incident.

How to Claim Your Award

To claim your award, you can submit a claim form online or by mail. To file a claim online, visit the online claim form. To submit by mail, send your completed claim form and any supporting documentation to:

Claims Administrator – 83053

c/o Kroll Settlement Administration

PO Box 225391

New York, NY 10150-5391

Ensure your claim form is postmarked by September 18, 2024, if submitting by mail.

How do I Get Paid?

Payments will be made via check mailed to the address provided on your claim form. If you prefer an electronic payment, submit your claim online and select the electronic payment option.

$1,750,000 Settlement Fund Breakdown

The settlement amount ranges from $1,000,000 to $1,750,000, depending on the number of valid and timely claims submitted. The settlement fund will cover:

• Extraordinary Loss Claims
• Ordinary Loss Claims
• Lost Time Claims
• Credit Monitoring Services
• Alternative Cash Payments
• Attorneys' fees and expenses
• Class Representative Service Awards
• Claims Administration costs

Attorneys' fees and costs are capped at $583,333.33, and Class Representative Service Awards are capped at $3,500 per representative, totaling $7,000.

Important Dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: September 18, 2024
• Deadline to Opt Out or Object: August 19, 2024
• Final Approval Hearing Date: September 20, 2024

When will Awards be Paid?

Awards will be paid as soon as possible after the Court grants final approval to the settlement and any appeals are resolved.

What Happens Next?

The Court will hold a final approval hearing on September 20, 2024, to decide whether to approve the settlement. If approved, payments will be distributed after any appeals are resolved. Stay informed by visiting the official settlement website for updates.