Lansing Community College Data Breach Settlement: $1.45M

Individuals whose personal information was compromised during the Lansing Community College data breach between Dec. 25, 2022, and March 15, 2023.

Documentation required for reimbursement claims includes:

• Credit card statements
• Bank statements
• Invoices
• Telephone records
• Receipts

Lansing Community College has agreed to a $1.45 million settlement to resolve claims that it failed to protect sensitive personal information during a data breach between December 2022 and March 2023. The breach reportedly compromised Social Security numbers and other sensitive data belonging to students and employees.

Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit allege that the college failed to implement reasonable cybersecurity measures that could have prevented the breach, leaving personal data vulnerable to unauthorized access. Lansing Community College denies any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to resolve the allegations.

Under the settlement terms, eligible class members can choose between two types of monetary benefits:

1. Documented Loss Payments:

   • Reimbursement for documented losses related to the breach, up to $2,000.
   • Covered losses include:
     • Bank fees
     • Credit expenses
     • Communication charges
     • Fraudulent charges

2. Alternative Cash Payments:

   • Available to class members who did not experience losses or cannot provide documentation.
   • Payment amounts will vary based on the number of claims and remaining settlement funds after documented loss payments are distributed.

As part of the settlement, Lansing Community College has agreed to strengthen its cybersecurity protocols, including:

• Enhancing multifactor authentication.
• Updating software and resetting compromised passwords.
• Implementing endpoint detection and response software.
• Other measures to better safeguard personal information.

Submit a valid claim form with required documentation by Jan. 20, 2025, to receive settlement benefits.