Some Oakland residents could soon receive payouts of up to $10,000 following a data breach settlement. The City of Oakland has agreed to compensate those affected by a 2023 cybersecurity failure, which exposed sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers, driver’s license details, and medical records. Here’s what you need to know to claim your share of the settlement.
Who Is Eligible for the Settlement?
To qualify for a payment, individuals must meet two key criteria. First, their personal information must have been stored or controlled by the City of Oakland. Second, their data must have been compromised in the February 2023 breach.
Those eligible should have already received a notification letter from the city, containing a Unique ID and PIN needed to file a claim. If you believe you were affected but have not received a letter, assistance is available to verify eligibility.
How to File a Claim
Filing a claim is straightforward. Individuals can visit the settlement website and log in using their Unique ID and PIN. From there, they can submit their claim online or download a paper form to mail to the claims administrator.
For those who have lost or never received their Unique ID and PIN, help is available. Affected individuals can contact the settlement administrators by emailing info@OaklandDataBreachSettlement.com or calling 1-866-675-2919.
The deadline to file a claim is May 6, 2025. However, for those wishing to exclude themselves or object to the settlement, the cutoff date is April 6, 2025. A final hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled for June 3, 2025.
How Much Money Can You Receive?
The amount of compensation varies depending on the impact of the breach. Basic reimbursement covers up to $350 for ordinary losses, such as credit monitoring services, credit freezes, or minor out-of-pocket expenses.
Individuals can also claim compensation for lost time related to resolving the breach’s consequences. Up to three hours of lost time can be compensated at a rate of $25 per hour.
For those who suffered major financial losses, the settlement offers payments of up to $10,000 for documented fraud-related expenses or identity theft-related damages. Additionally, individuals who were employed as Oakland police officers at the time of the breach will receive an extra $175.
All eligible claimants will also receive three years of free credit monitoring as part of the settlement agreement.
