Stratford University Data Breach Settlement: $580K

Individuals who received a direct notice from Stratford University stating their personal information may have been compromised in two data breaches that occurred in April 2022 and August 2022.

To claim reimbursement for losses, class members must provide documentation such as:

• Bank or credit card statements
• Invoices or receipts for fraud-related costs
• Bills for professional services (e.g., credit repair, identity theft assistance)
• Credit reports or other documentation showing unauthorized activity
• Tax documents or IRS correspondence related to fraud or identity theft

Stratford University has agreed to pay $580,000 to settle a class action lawsuit over two data breaches that exposed sensitive student and employee information in April 2022 and August 2022.

According to the lawsuit, cybercriminals gained access to Stratford University’s systems, compromising names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and other personal information. The breaches reportedly affected both students and employees, raising concerns about identity theft and financial fraud.

The plaintiffs argue that Stratford failed to maintain adequate cybersecurity protections and delayed notifying affected individuals, leaving students and staff vulnerable. The lawsuit also claims the school failed to properly communicate the risks posed by the breaches, limiting victims’ ability to protect themselves.

Stratford University, which operated campuses in Virginia and offered online programs, closed permanently in 2022 after losing accreditation. While Stratford denies any wrongdoing, it agreed to the settlement to resolve the claims and avoid further litigation.

Under the Terms of the Settlement

Class members who incurred out-of-pocket expenses related to the breaches can claim up to $5,000 in reimbursement. This includes:

• Fraudulent charges
• Professional fees for credit repair or identity theft services
• Costs for credit reports, monitoring services, and freezing/unfreezing credit
• Travel expenses and communication costs related to resolving fraud issues
• Up to five hours of lost time at $25 per hour

Class members who did not experience financial losses or who choose not to submit documentation can still receive a flat cash payment of $100. All class members will also receive two years of free credit monitoring with:

• Dark web scanning
• Identity theft insurance (up to $1 million)
• Real-time credit monitoring
• Access to fraud resolution specialists

Payments may be adjusted depending on the number of claims filed.

This settlement allows former students and staff to receive compensation and credit protection after their personal information was compromised.