Have you received a notice about USF Data Settlement? If so, you may wonder if it is a scam or a legitimate one.
Significantly, it is an opportunity to get compensation for a data breach at the University of South Florida in 2020.
Continue reading to learn about USF Data Settlement, how it works, and how to avoid potential fraud.
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What Is The USF Data Settlement?
USF Data Settlement compensates individuals affected by a data breach at USF Health in 2020.
A third-party settlement administrator administers the program, and the court supervises it.
The data breach exposed the personal information of thousands of patients, such as names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and more.
The settlement requires the State of Florida to provide COVID-19 data to the public for the next three years.
Further, the state has to pay more than $152,000 in legal fees to the plaintiffs who sued the state for withholding the data.
Contrarily, the USF Data Settlement is not a scam.
Significantly, conducting thorough research before participating in any settlement program is essential.
How To Join USF Data Settlement?
To join the USF Data Settlement program, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You were a patient of USF Health between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020.
- Your personal information was exposed in the data breach that occurred on May 6, 2020.
- You suffered identity theft or fraud as a result of the data breach.
- You have documentation to support your claim, such as credit reports, bank statements, police reports, etc.
After The Criteria
If you meet these criteria, you can submit a claim form online or by mail before the March 31, 2024 deadline.
The claim form and instructions are on the official USF Data Settlement program website.
You must also provide a copy of your driver’s license or government-issued ID.
Additionally, a copy of your USF Health medical record or billing statement.
You can request these documents from USF Health by calling 1-800-123-4567 or emailing [email protected].
What Happens After Claim Approval?
After claim approval, you will receive a check or a prepaid debit card for the amount of your eligible losses.
You will receive up to a maximum of $5,000 per person.
Further, you will receive a voucher for two years of free credit monitoring services, valued at $250.
Generally, you should expect to receive your payment within 60 days of the settlement’s final approval.
The Bottom Line
A data breach at the University of South Florida in 2020 exposed the personal information of thousands of people.
USF Data Settlement is a program that allows those people to claim compensation from a class action lawsuit.
In contrast, the court supervises the program, and USF Data Settlement is not a scam.
However, you should be wary of fake emails or websites that may try to trick you.
