In January 2023, there was a major data breach of millions of Americans in the GoAnywhere MFT software of Fortra. This allowed a breach of sensitive personal and health information of about five million people. Luckily, a class action case led to the Fortra data settlement that provided individuals who suffered compensation and protections. The following is a step-by-step guide to effective action information of rights, benefits, and what to do.
What Happened in the Fortra Data Breach
At the end of January 2023, perpetrators broke into the GoAnywhere MFT platform of Fortra servers, a popular file transfer software. Aetna, Community Health Systems, Elevance Health, Imagine360, Intellihartx, NationsBenefits, and Santa Clara are some of the organizations that were affected by this breach. The sensitive information stolen by hackers might include names, addresses, Social Security numbers, health insurance information and employer information.
The attack is alleged to have occurred through the Clop ransomware group which sold the stolen data on the dark web. The case led to dozens of lawsuits, which later had to be combined into a multidistrict litigation in Florida.
Who Is Eligible for the Fortra Data Settlement
The Fortra data settlement has all residents of the United States who were notified that their personal data may have been compromised. The class members of the settlement are individuals whose data was kept on the platform of Fortra during the breach. Others settled under the agreement of Brightline are also covered by the old settlement but under the new settlement the individuals are entitled to receive more compensation than they experienced in the previous settlement case.
What Benefits Are Available
The settlement of Fortra offers two possibilities of compensation:
- Cash Payment of Documented Losses: Class members may provide the documentation of financial losses in connection with the breach and claim up to 5,000. This coverage is out-of-pocket costs like identity theft protection plans, lost earnings, or fraudulent charges.
- Alternative Cash Payment: People who do not want to give any documentation may claim a flat amount of around $85.
Other benefits to receiving one year of dark web monitoring will be provided to all potential participants, in addition to cash assistance to secure them against identity theft and fraudulent exploitation of personal data. The settlement also means that the members of Brightline subclass who never used credit monitoring are now provided with the dark web monitoring under the new settlement.
Important Deadlines
Members of settlement classes need to file a valid claim form in order to obtain the benefits. Claim forms can be submitted online or mailed by August 29, 2025. The individuals who want to avoid the settlement or disagree with it have to submit their requests before August 15, 2025.
Steps to File Your Claim
- Find Your Notice: Find the official settlement notice in your mail. Here you have your ID and PIN which you need to file a claim online.
- Submit Your Claim: Go to Fortra settlement site, fill the claim form and provide any documentation when claiming losses, which are documented.
- Choose Your Own Adventure: Select either to record a loss to the extent of up to $5,000, or the flat amount of $85.
- Dark Web Monitoring: Name: Check the box that you are to be enrolled in dark web monitoring within one year.
Enhanced Security Measures
The defendants, including Fortra and the affected organizations have as part of the settlement promised to enhance their cybersecurity. Such steps will be taken to ensure similar violations will not take place in the future and keep sensitive consumer information secure.
Why the Settlement Matters
The Fortra data settlement is an important move towards safeguarding millions of harmed people against financial losses and identity theft. It also highlights the need to implement cybersecurity and to hold companies liable when dealing with personal information. Through the settlement the individuals who have suffered through the losses can get the money back, offer them security checks and help in making their issues a concern of the Court.
Conclusion
In case you have been affected by the January 2023 Fortra data breach, the sooner you do it, the better. By filing your claim, you will get compensated and covered but by not doing it, you may be missing out on saving. Be aware, file your claim properly, and enjoy the protection steps that are offered with the help of the Fortra data settlement to protect your personal data.
To get more information and to make your claim, you should visit the official settlement web site of Fortra, and take all the necessary steps properly. The best place to begin protecting your data is to do so today.