Heartland Data Breach Class Action Settlement

We have more information for you about how to file a claim for the Heartland Payment Systems Data Breach Class Action Lawsuit Settlement we told you about in May. The Settlement Administrator’s website is finally up, and with it comes more details about how to opt in, opt out or object to the class action settlement.

Class members include anyone who has or had a credit or debit card that was used in the U.S. from December 26, 2007 and December 31, 2008, and claim or may claim “losses.” “Losses” include telephone or postage costs, certain third-party charges resulting from card cancellations or replacements, unauthorized and unreimbursed account charges, identity-theft-related charges, or time spent addressing those matters. 

Class members who submit valid, documented claims can be reimbursed for losses up to $175, with no more than two valid claims per household. The only exception is if the losses included in your documentation include identity-theft-related charges. In these cases, you can be reimbursed for these identity-theft-related charges up to $10,000.

In order for your claim to be valid, you must submit documentation showing that you had unreimbursed, out-of-pocket expenses or lost time because your credit or debit card account information was stolen or placed at risk of being stolen as a result of the Heartland data breach. All claims for out-of-pocket expenses and lost time will be calculated at $10 per hour for up to five hours, and must be reasonable and not otherwise reimbursed or reimbursable. Your documentation must show that you actually expended or incurred the amount you claim, and that it resulted from the Heartland data breach.

All claim forms and documentation must be submitted and postmarked no later than August 1, 2011. The deadline to opt out or object to the class action settlement is November 19, 2010.

More information on how to file a valid claim with the appropriate documentation for the Heartland Payment Systems Data Breach Class Action Lawsuit Settlement can be found at the Settlement Administrator’s website.