Have you received an email or post letter claiming to be from the US Fertility (USF) data breach class action settlement administrator? With scams becoming more sophisticated, it’s crucial to validate any communication regarding settlements. This article will provide an in-depth look at how to identify fraudulent USF Data settlement emails and ensure your claim is legitimate.
Overview of the US Fertility Data Breach Settlement
In November 2020, US Fertility (USF) announced a data breach had potentially exposed the personal information of around 900,000 individuals at fertility clinics utilizing their services. A class action lawsuit was subsequently filed, alleging USF failed to adequately safeguard people’s sensitive information.
In July 2022, a $5.75 million settlement was reached to compensate impacted individuals. The settlement establishes a fund to provide class members around $50 in cash payments, additional compensation for California residents, reimbursement for time spent, and documented out-of-pocket losses related to the breach.
To get payment, class members must submit a claim form by March 19, 2024 through the settlement website at usfdatasettlement.com. The settlement administrator is also mailing notices and claim forms to known class members.
How to submit a settlement claim
- According the email or letter, you can file a claim form online on usfdatasettlement.com
- Or download, print, and mail a claim form by March 19, 2024
- Claims can be submitted for cash payment, reimbursement for time, out-of-pocket losses
Eligibility
- Those impacted by the 2020 US Fertility data breach
- Generally anyone who got a notice from the settlement administrator
Compensation Details
- Around $50 cash payment, plus extra $200 for Californians
- Reimbursement for up to 4 hours of time spent dealing with breach at $25 per hour
- Reimbursement for documented out-of-pocket losses up to $15,000
- Total compensation capped at $15,000 per person
What is the USF Data Settlement Fake Letter/Email Scam?
To inform class members about the settlement, the administrator is sending notices via postal mail and email. However, scammers have been sending out fake emails imitating the real administrator notices in a bid to steal personal information and money.
These fraudulent emails may contain heading like “Claim Your Cash Payment from USF Data Breach Settlement” or “Important Notice – Action Required for US Fertility Settlement Benefits”. They look professional and legitimate but contain misleading information or links.
The scam emails often request sensitive information like Social Security numbers upfront to “verify eligibility”, then disappear with victims’ details. Some also dupe recipients into paying fake “processing fees” to claim funds.
How to Identify and Avoid the Fake Settlement Emails
Watch out for these common red flags to avoid falling victim to USF settlement scams:
- Suspicious sender address – Emails from the real administrator will be from @usfdatasettlement.com. Scam senders often spoof the domain.
- Urgent call to action – Scammers use high-pressure tactics insisting you will miss out if you don’t act quickly. Real administrators won’t do this.
- Requests personal information – The real administrator won’t ask for sensitive details like Social Security numbers upfront. Only provide that on the official claims site.
- Poor grammar/spelling errors – Fraudulent emails often contain typos, awkward phrasing and formatting issues.
- Strange links/attachments – Don’t click links or attachments from an unsolicited email in case of malware. Type the settlement URL directly into your browser.
- Requests payment – The real administrator won’t ask for any payment or “processing fees”. Reject requests for prepaid cards, wire transfers etc.
- Threats of account closure – Scammers may threaten you’ll forfeit eligibility if you don’t provide info immediately. Legit administrators won’t do this.
Is the USF Data Breach Settlement Email from Angeion Group Legit?
The class action settlement emails are being sent from Angeion Group, the court-appointed claims administrator. Angeion Group is a legitimate international settlement administrator with an office in Philadelphia.
However, just because an email says it’s from Angeion Group doesn’t mean it’s real. Use these steps to verify:
- Check the sender email is from the official @angeiongroup.com domain.
- Contact Angeion Group at 1-215-563-4116 to confirm they contacted you.
- Verify the settlement details match at usfdatasettlement.com.
- Be extra cautious of any attachments – official notices will be text only.
- If they ask upfront fees to provide settlement then it is a scam
What to Do If You Fell Victim to the Settlement Scam
If you unfortunately provided personal information or money to scammers:
- Contact your bank and monitor accounts closely for any suspicious activity.
- Place a fraud alert and order your free annual credit reports to check for signs of identity theft.
- Change online account passwords, security questions, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
- Report the scam to the FTC and your local police department with details on what occurred.
- Notify Angeion Group about the fraudulent emails claiming to be from them.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the USF data breach settlement administrator?
As per usfdatasettlement.com, Angeion Group is the court-appointed settlement administrator.
2. What should I do if I get a suspicious settlement email?
Do not reply. Report phishing attempts to the FTC and forward suspicious emails to the spam mailbox of your email provider.
3. How can I verify a settlement communication is really from Angeion Group?
Contact Angeion Group directly through their official channels to validate any communication claiming to be from them.
4. Can I claim settlement benefits without submitting personal info?
No, you will have to provide sufficient personal details to validate eligibility and process payment. Only enter this on the real claims site.
5. What are the real deadlines for the USF settlement claims?
The official claim deadline is March 19, 2024. You can verify deadlines on the usfdatasettlement.com website.
The Bottom Line
- Scam settlement emails related to the USF data breach settlement are circulating, often impersonating the real Angeion Group administrator.
- Carefully check for red flags like pressure tactics, poor grammar, request for sensitive information or payments before taking any action.
- Verify legitimacy directly with Angeion Group before providing personal details or money.
- Report any scams to the authorities and Angeion Group to help warn others.
- Submit your claim from usfdatasettlement.com site before the real March 2024 deadline. But if they wants upfront fees then don’t pay any fees.
Being cautious of communications, monitoring accounts, and verifying legitimacy first can help avoid becoming a victim. If scammed, act quickly to notify relevant parties and protect your identity.
