The deadline to claim a share of the $3.25 million USAA data breach settlement is just one month away, expiring on April 7. This settlement addresses a data breach that occurred in May 2021, during which personal information was stolen and accessed. US users affected by the breach, who should have received notification by mail or email in December 2024, are eligible to file a claim for payment from the settlement fund. However, filing a claim for the settlement by the mentioned deadline is crucial. While settlement class members who do nothing may or may not receive payment depending on location, yet, filing the claim can guarantee participation in the settlement.
It’s also important to note that the deadline also applies to those who wish to exclude themselves from the settlement or object to its terms. Excluding oneself means forgoing any settlement payment and not being bound by the settlement, while objecting requires remaining a class member and submitting a written objection to the court by the same date.
How to file a claim for USAA $3.25 million data breach settlement
To begin the process, affected individuals must fill out a form on the designated settlement website. Users who were affected by the data breach will be eligible for compensation if they have received a notification via email or postal mail from USAA following the settlement agreement in December 2024. Affected users are recommended to retain this notification, as it contains two essential ID numbers required for the claim: a claimant ID code and a confirmation code.
How the USAA data breach affected users
USAA agreed to a settlement to resolve claims that a data breach compromised the personal information of 22,000 customers. The breach stemmed from the insurer’s use of motor vehicle records to auto-fill details, including driver’s license numbers, in its insurance quote system. This flaw allowed unauthorised individuals to access sensitive information and even create accounts in victims’ names.
Vincent Dolan, a USAA customer affected by the breach, filed a lawsuit two months after being notified. The case lasted over three years before a settlement was reached in August 2023.
Dolan, as the class action representative, is set to receive up to $10,000, while attorneys could collect over $1.08 million in fees from the settlement fund.
If enough claimants decline their payments, additional payouts may be distributed. However, physical checks must be cashed within 60 days to remain valid. Despite agreeing to the settlement, USAA has not admitted any wrongdoing.