Walsworth Publishing Data Breach Impacts Thousands: Class Action Filed

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Walsworth Publishing after a data breach exposed personal and financial information of thousands of customers.

Consumers Affected: Customers whose personal and financial information was compromised in the Walsworth data breach.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Northern Division

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Walsworth Publishing after a data breach exposed personal and financial information of thousands of customers. 

The breach, which occurred on December 26, 2023, compromised data including names, payment card numbers, expiration dates, and security codes. Walsworth discovered the breach on February 9, 2024, but did not notify customers until November 22, 2024, according to the lawsuit.

Walsworth Publishing Data Breach Exposed Thousands

Plaintiff Alarie Bowerman, a resident of Bella Vista, Arkansas, brought the case, alleging Walsworth failed to safeguard sensitive information and delayed notifying those affected.

She claims that Walsworth failed to secure customer data adequately, resulting in unauthorized access. Customers who entrusted the company with their personal and payment details now face ongoing risks such as identity theft and fraud.

The lawsuit states that Bowerman and other customers reasonably expected their personal information to remain confidential and secure. Instead, they were left exposed for months before being informed of the breach, reducing their ability to protect themselves from potential misuse.

Bowerman argues that Walsworth’s handling of the breach violated obligations to its customers. The delay in notification allegedly exacerbated the harm caused, leaving affected individuals vulnerable to long-term risks.

“As a direct and proximate result of Walsworth’s inadequate data security, and its breach of its duty to handle PII with reasonable care, Plaintiff’s PII has been accessed by hackers, posted on the dark web, and exposed to an untold number of unauthorized individuals,” the lawsuit claims. 

Consumers Accuse Walsworth of Negligence and Delayed Notification

Founded in 1937, Walsworth Publishing is a family-operated company specializing in printing books, catalogs, and magazines. To make purchases or engage its services, customers must share personal and financial information, trusting that it will be protected.

The lawsuit alleges Walsworth breached this trust by failing to implement sufficient safeguards. Customers relied on the company to securely manage sensitive information, a responsibility the lawsuit claims was not met.

Data Breaches Plague Businesses

Walsworth joins a growing list of businesses facing lawsuits over similar incidents. Earlier this month, AnnieMac Home Mortgage was sued after a breach exposed sensitive information for 171,000 individuals, including Social Security numbers and banking details.

Other cases include lawsuits against Wells Fargo and Avis Rent-a-Car, where plaintiffs alleged poor data security and inadequate responses to breaches. 

In the Walsworth Publishing Company data breach class action lawsuit, Bowerman seeks damages, attorneys’ fees, and court orders requiring Walsworth to implement stronger security measures. The case also asks for remedies to address the financial harm and risks resulting from the breach.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Alarie Bowerman v. Walsworth Publishing Company, Inc.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00104
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Northern Division

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• James J. Rosemergy (Carey Danis & Lowe)
• Marc H. Edelson (Edelson Lechtzin LLP)

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