Frequently Asked
Questions

Data breaches are not rare events. When you shop online, open a new account, or share your information with a service provider, your personal data could be at risk. If that data falls into the wrong hands, there could be major consequences for your credit score. Fraudulent accounts, unauthorized purchases, and missed payments caused by identity theft can quickly damage your financial reputation.

Mass arbitration is a type of legal action in which a group of claims, or “demands,” is filed against a common party and in which all parties’ representation is coordinated across cases. While similar to a class action lawsuit, a mass arbitration proceeding takes place out of court, and each claim is settled individually based on its merits. In recent years, mass arbitrations have emerged as a response to mandatory arbitration clauses with class-action waivers, becoming more common as corporations seek new ways to resolve disputes with consumers and employees.

Mass arbitration is a coordinated legal strategy in which hundreds or thousands of similarly affected people file separate arbitration claims against the same company. Each claim remains individual, but filing them together creates significant pressure on the company to negotiate a fair settlement. This approach has become more common as many companies’ terms of service require consumers to resolve disputes through arbitration rather than traditional lawsuits.

A mass arbitration usually takes about 8 to 18 months to resolve. That timeline is significantly shorter than the typical federal court lawsuit, which takes an average of 31 months to reach a settlement or verdict.

If you have received notice of a data breach, you may be at risk of identity theft, bank or credit card fraud, or personal harassment. Cybercriminals can cause severe damage once they access your personal or financial information. Take action quickly because the sooner you fight back, the better your chances of recovering damages. The first step you should take is to consult an expert attorney to go after liable parties and seek compensation on your behalf.

When your data is compromised, it can be difficult to know where to start with protecting yourself moving forward. Cybercriminals can sell your data on the dark web, allowing others to open accounts in your name, drain your bank account, damage your credit, and cause significant stress. Understanding how your data can be sold on the dark web after a data breach can help you learn how to better protect yourself and your data.

A class action lawsuit is when people who experienced similar harm sue as a group against the same defendant. For example, data breach victims may join a class action against a company that failed to protect their data. If you are a potential victim, you may receive a notice that you are a class member or one indicating that you are eligible to receive part of a settlement.