A current lawsuit claims that the Mason Tenders’ District Council, based in New York, failed to implement sufficient safeguards to avert a data breach, which resulted in the exposure of sensitive information. Mason Tenders is a labor union that represents a diverse range of workers, including Catholic school teachers, waste management personnel, and construction workers, among others. In this lawsuit, affected individuals could claim payments, and here’s all you need to know if you’re one of them.
Individuals eligible to make claims received a notification from Mason Tenders, informing them that their sensitive information might have been compromised in a data breach that occurred approximately between December 2, 2021, and April 18, 2022. Mason Tenders approximates that around 20,000 individuals could have been impacted.
What Is the Mason Tenders’ District Council?
The Mason Tenders’ District Council (MTDC) groups various funds related to the welfare, annuity, and pension of its members, likely those in the masonry and construction field.
From the sources provided, it seems the MTDC is responsible for managing and protecting sensitive data related to the individuals who participate in and receive benefits from these funds. This includes personal information such as names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, medical information, and health insurance information.
The MTDC operates a number of funds including the MTDC Welfare Fund, the MTDC Annuity Fund, and the MTDC Pension Fund. These funds seem to provide financial benefits and support for the members of the council. The MTDC Pension Fund, for example, is a defined benefit plan providing retirees with a predetermined monthly retirement benefit upon reaching a specific age. The retirement benefit is typically calculated using a formula which often employs years of credited service under the plan and salary information.
The council has faced legal challenges related to a data security incident that occurred sometime between December 2021 and April 2022. This incident potentially exposed certain personal identifying information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) of the members of the council.
Mason Tenders’ Settlement Payments and Other Important Compensation Deadlines
The Mason Tenders’ District Council stands as an important labor organization representing over 17,000 American members. Its diverse membership comprehends a wide spectrum of professions, ranging from construction workers and asbestos and hazardous materials handlers to Catholic high school teachers and recycling and waste handlers, as detailed on the council’s official website.
To address the more severe impacts of identity theft resulting from the data breach, the settlement offers a reimbursement of up to $2,950 for “extraordinary out-of-pocket expenses or losses.” Additionally, class members are eligible to benefit from one year of comprehensive identity theft protection and credit monitoring services.
For those directly affected by the breach, there are options available. Class members have the choice to either exclude themselves from the settlement or submit written objections to the terms by no later than September 5, 2023. The final hearing will be held on October 11, 2023, and the claim form deadline is on October 3, 2023, so, you’ve still got time to claim your cash.
How to Prove That You Were Affected in This Data Breach?
Receipt or other proof of purchase for each credit report or product purchased is required. Additionally, it is essential to furnish documentation that substantiates the claimant’s diligent efforts to mitigate or recover the incurred loss.
This includes (but is not confined to) the exhaustion of benefits accessible through credit cards, credit monitoring services, identity protection plans, or any relevant financial services offered to class members seeking reimbursement for credit reports, credit monitoring services, or other identity-theft insurance products acquired during the period from December 2, 2021, to October 3, 2023.
For individuals pursuing reimbursement of fees, expenses, or charges, it is imperative to provide either a copy of the statement issued by the charging entity or a receipt indicating the precise amount incurred.