$580k Stratford University data breach class action settlement

Stratford University has agreed to a $580,000 class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that it failed to prevent two data breaches in 2022.

The Stratford University settlement benefits individuals who received a direct notice from Stratford University informing them that their information may have been compromised in two data breaches in April and August 2022.

The Stratford University data breach incidents reportedly compromised the sensitive information of students and employees, including their names, birth dates and Social Security numbers. Despite being informed of two data breaches, Stratford University allegedly failed to inform its students and employees that their information may have been compromised in the incidents.

Stratford University was a private university with campuses in Virginia and online. The school closed in 2022 after losing accreditation.

Stratford University hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $580,000 to resolve the data breach class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the Stratford University settlement, class members can receive up to $5,000 for data breach-related expenses such as fraudulent charges, professional fees, credit expenses and up to five hours of lost time at a rate of $25 per hour.

Class members who did not experience out-of-pocket losses or who do not wish to make reimbursement claims can instead receive a flat-rate payment of $100. These payments may be reduced on a pro rata basis depending on the number and value of claims filed.

All class members are eligible for two years of free credit monitoring services. These services include dark web scanning, identity theft insurance of at least $1 million, real-time credit monitoring and access to fraud resolution agents.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is March 14, 2025.

The final approval hearing for the Stratford University data breach settlement is scheduled for May 30, 2025.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by April 14, 2025.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who received a direct notice from Stratford University informing them that their information may have been compromised in two data breaches in April and August 2022.

Potential Award

Up to $5,000

Proof of Purchase

Receipts, bills, invoices, bank statements, telephone records, credit reports, tax documents, etc.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

04/14/2025

Case Name

Rodriguez v. Stratford University, Case No. 1:22-cv-01048-MSN-WEF, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Final Hearing

05/30/2025

Settlement Website

StratfordUniversityDataIncident.com

Claims Administrator

Stratford Claims Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA19103
855-696-4066

Class Counsel

Nicholas A. Migliaccio
Jason S. Rathod
MIGLIACCIO & RATHOD LLP

Defense Counsel

Christopher G. Dean
MCDONALD HOPKINS LLC