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Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Data Breach Lawsuit

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (the “Department”) has notified individuals about an inadvertent data breach that exposed personal information contained in the DCJIS Fingerprint Background Check Data Collection Form. This breach occurred on September 24, 2025, when the form was mistakenly shared with three individuals. If your information was involved, you may be entitled to compensation and are being provided with resources to protect your personal data.

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
Date of Breach: September 24, 2025
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Who was affected:

Clients of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care

Impacted Data:

Names

Social Security numbers

Addresses

Dates of birth

Health Information

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The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (the “Department”) has notified individuals about an inadvertent data breach that exposed personal information contained in the DCJIS Fingerprint Background Check Data Collection Form. This breach occurred on September 24, 2025, when the form was mistakenly shared with three individuals. If your information was involved, you may be entitled to compensation and are being provided with resources to protect your personal data.

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care’s Data Breach Investigation

On September 24, 2025, the Department of Early Education and Care became aware that personal information from DCJIS Fingerprint Background Check Data Collection Forms was mistakenly shared with three individuals. This incident resulted in the unintended exposure of sensitive personal data.

The breach was due to an administrative error and did not involve any intentional malicious activity. However, the Department is providing this notification to inform affected individuals about the breach and the steps they can take to safeguard their information moving forward. The incident does not appear to have led to any misuse of the information, but the Department is offering resources to protect individuals affected by the breach.

What Information Was Involved?

The breach involved the following types of personal information, which were included in the DCJIS Fingerprint Background Check Data Collection Form:

Name
Address
Social Security number
Date of birth
Fingerprint data

This sensitive information could potentially be used in identity theft or fraud if misused.

What You Can Do

To protect your personal information, you are advised to take the following steps:

  1. Place a Security Freeze – You have the right to place a security freeze on your credit reports with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This will prevent anyone from accessing your credit report without your written consent. However, please note that placing a security freeze may delay or interfere with the approval of loans, credit, mortgages, housing, and employment applications.
  2. Obtain a Police Report – Under Massachusetts law, you have the right to file a police report related to this incident and obtain a copy of it. If you are a victim of identity theft, you can file a police report and request a copy as well.
  3. Monitor Your Credit Reports – Regularly check your credit reports for signs of unauthorized activity. You are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three credit bureaus.
  4. Contact the Credit Reporting Agencies – To place a security freeze, you must contact the three major credit bureaus directly: You may place a security freeze online, over the phone, or by sending a written request via regular, certified, or overnight mail.

File a Data Breach Lawsuit Against Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care

If you have received a data breach notification from Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, you may be eligible for compensation through a class action lawsuit. Data breaches can cause substantial personal and financial harm, and holding the responsible parties accountable is crucial to ensuring justice for those affected.

If you’re unsure whether you have a case, we highly recommend contacting Class Action U for a free consultation. We partner with top-notch legal representation to navigate this complex process. Joining a class action can amplify your voice and help ensure that data breaches like this are taken seriously by corporate entities.

If your data was compromised, you could be entitled to compensation for:

  • Loss of privacy
  • Time spent resolving the breach
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Emotional distress

By pursuing a class action lawsuit, you not only have the opportunity to recover damages but also help hold Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, accountable potentially prompting them to strengthen their security measures. Reach out to Class Action U today to find out if you qualify for a data breach class action and learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A data breach occurs when sensitive, confidential, or protected information is accessed, stolen, or disclosed without authorization. Data breaches often occur through phishing emails, malware, weak passwords, insider threats, or unsecured databases. Indicators of a data breach can include unexpected password resets, suspicious account activity, unauthorized transactions, or notifications from companies about compromised information.If you suspect your data has been compromised, you must take measures and act quickly. Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, review your financial accounts for unusual activity and consider freezing your credit.

Once stolen, your personal information may be sold on the dark web or used for identity theft and financial fraud. In some cases, hackers use the data to extort companies or launch further attacks. Victims often face long-term risks, including damage to credit and privacy.

If you receive a data breach notification, don’t ignore it. Immediately change passwords for the affected account and any others that share credentials. Enroll in any free credit monitoring services offered and monitor financial statements closely.

To pursue a data breach claim, you’ll need documentation showing your information was compromised and proof of resulting harm, such as fraudulent charges, credit score damage, or identity theft reports. Notification letters, financial records, and communication with the breached company can help support your claim.

Yes. If a company fails to protect consumer data or delays notifying victims, it may be held liable under state and federal privacy laws. Many victims join class action lawsuits to recover financial losses and hold negligent organizations accountable.

Data breach settlements vary widely depending on the size of the breach, type of data compromised, and damages suffered by victims. Payouts may include cash compensation, identity theft protection, or reimbursement for losses. Many settlements range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per person. A skilled data breach lawyer can guide victims through the complex legal process, ensuring their rights are protected. If you’ve received a data breach notification or believe your personal data was exposed, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact Class Action U to learn more about how to join a data breach lawsuit and understand the process of filing.