The Systems East settlement will provide financial compensation to the individuals who have fallen under the victim of an incident where personal information of users in the United States was disclosed as a result of data breach. A company (Systems East) that specializes in online payment systems and electronic billing services accepted claims brought against it on grounds that it did not safeguard sensitive customer information.
This data breach affected thousands of people who were using the services of Systems East. The beneficiaries of this settlement would include those who had previously been notified of the data breach during or close to November 16, 2023.
What Happened in the Systems East Data Breach
In August 2023, it was reported that Systems East was hacked by hackers who accessed its computer network and stole customer data containing their names and payment card details. The plaintiffs stated that the company failed to provide sufficient cybersecurity to prevent unauthorized access.
Rather than undergoing a trial process, Systems East had admitted to paying the case. Although the company did not find any fault, it chose to provide financial compensation and enhance security measures on its data to avert such happenings in the future.
Who Is Eligible for the Systems East Settlement
The claim is possible in case Systems East notified you about a data breach in November 2023. It is possible that your details have been lost in a computer attack.
The settlement is applicable to all the affected people in the U.S. whether the affected person incurred direct losses or not. All you have to do is to prove that you are eligible by the notice you were sent or by calling the settlement administrator.
What You Can Receive from the Settlement
The Systems East settlement provides qualified class members with two options of payment:
- Flat Payment (Approx. $75): This option allows a certain amount of cash payment to all people who suffered as a result of the breach. This can be determined depending on the number of claims submitted. There is no evidence of loss of money to qualify as a recipient of this money.
- Payment of Out-of-Pocket Losses (Up to $8,000): In case you incurred losses that were directly associated with the breach of data like identity theft, credit monitoring, or third-party charges, you will be able to receive reimbursement. You would have to provide supporting documents such as receipts, bank discussions or credit reports.
Such payments will be made in various ways among them PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or physical check.
How to File a Claim
The process of making a claim is easy and may be conducted either online or through mail.
Online: Visit the official system, SystemsEastSettlement.com and input your Notice ID and Confirmation Code that are represented in your postcard or email notice.
By mail: You can get the claim form and complete it and mail it to:
- Systems East Security Incident Settlement
- c/o Angeion Group
- 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
- Philadelphia, PA 19103
In case you did not get an email but you feel that you are eligible, you may make a call at 1-877-445-4011 or send an email to info@systemseastsettlement.com to confirm whether you are eligible.
Important Deadlines to Remember
In order to guarantee that your claim is valid, please ensure that you meet the following deadlines:
- Claim Form Deadline: November 15, 2024
- Objection or Exclusion Deadline: November 15, 2024
- Final Approval Hearing: December 4, 2024
Once the court gives final approval and settles any objections, qualified claimants will get the payments.
Why This Settlement Matters
The Systems East settlement was not only a financial reimbursement, but it was an eye-opener on how important data protection is in the digital world that we live in today. Thousands of people can be subjected to even the risks of identity theft and fraud because of cybersecurity failures in a few hours.
This settlement imposes financial liability on companies that handle the information of their customers and enhances them to use more effective security strategies. The agreement has seen Systems East agree to observe better cybersecurity practices, which will assist in mitigating the risks in the future.
Protecting Yourself After a Data Breach
It is advisable even when you are being compensated to come up with measures to secure your data in the future:
- Keep constant track of bank and credit card statements.
- Make use of credit surveillance software to determine suspicious activity at an early stage.
- Use their two factor authentication and change your passwords.
- Pay close attention to phishing messages or scams that declare that they are settlement administrators.
This is one of the small steps that might be used to mitigate harm caused by a breach.
Final Thoughts
The Systems East settlement presents the concerned people with a good chance of reclaiming their losses and shows peace of mind after a severe data breach. You should reply before November 15, 2024, so that you do not miss the deadline and claim in case you have a notice.
You can also be compensated by taking part in it and also help to advance accountability and tougher data security protocols nationwide in the U.S.
