Americans can claim up to $10,000 from settlement

Over a hundred Americans can claim up to $10,000 from a settlement related to a data breach at the cleaning company Stanley Steemer. The settlement follows a class-action lawsuit that alleges the company failed to protect sensitive customer and employee information from cyber attacks in February 2023. The lawsuit claims that Stanley Steemer could have avoided the breach with better security measures. Personal data, including names, Social Security numbers, and financial information, was compromised during the incident. Although the company agreed to a $700,000 settlement, it insists it did not do anything wrong. Eligible individuals will have received a notice about the breach indicating that their information might have been accessed. Two options are available for claiming compensation. First, those with documented financial losses related to the breach can submit receipts and bank statements to claim up to $10,000. The second option is for a pro rata cash payment, where claims are divided evenly among all eligible members. Customers can claim $50, and employees can claim $100 without needing to provide proof of loss. Claimants must act quickly, as the deadline to submit claims is April 28. They also have until that date to object or opt out of the settlement. A final approval hearing is set for May 27, after which payments will be issued.