If you shopped at MERS Missouri Goodwill Industries and your personal information was exposed in the March 2023 data breach, you may be entitled to receive up to $5,500 in compensation.
Here is a breakdown of how the money is being awarded:
- Up to $500 for ordinary losses like unreimbursed fraud, identity theft-related expenses, credit monitoring costs, and other minor out-of-pocket costs
- Up to $100 for lost time, calculated at $25 per hour for up to 4 hours
- Up to $5,000 for extraordinary losses, like major identity theft costs that were not reimbursed
- A $50 alternative cash payment if you prefer not to submit receipts for losses
- Two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection
The settlement is part of a class action lawsuit filed after the nonprofit failed to secure private information, including Social Security numbers.
Who qualifies for the Goodwill data breach settlement?
You qualify for this settlement if:
- You received a notice that your data was affected during the March 2023 data breach
- You can show proof that you were affected, such as receipts or evidence of personal data exposure tied to MERS Missouri Goodwill
Even if you did not get a notification, but you believe you were impacted and can provide evidence like receipts, you may still be eligible.
This applies to people who shopped at MERS Missouri Goodwill Industries, which operates in Missouri and Illinois.
What kind of proof do you need to claim your money?
To get a payout, you will need to provide receipts or documents that show:
- Proof of purchase from MERS Missouri Goodwill around the time of the breach
- Any losses you experienced due to the breach, such as bank statements showing fraud or bills from identity theft protection services
If you are claiming for extraordinary losses (up to $5,000), you will need stronger documentation proving how the breach led to those damages.
If you do not have any losses to show or simply prefer a quick payout, you can opt for a $50 cash payment with no receipts required.
What is the deadline to file a Goodwill settlement claim?
There are a few important dates to remember if you plan to claim:
- Claim Deadline: You must submit your claim by July 7, 2025
- Exclusion or Objection Deadline: If you do not want to be part of the settlement or want to object to it, do so by June 6, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: A judge will review the case and approve the settlement on July 10, 2025
Be sure to submit your claim before the deadline. Otherwise, you will lose your chance to get compensated.
Read more: How can I claim the Cash App $2,500 settlement?
What is a class action lawsuit and why is Goodwill paying out?
A class action lawsuit is when a group of people who suffered the same harm band together to sue a company. In this case, shoppers sued MERS Missouri Goodwill Industries after a data breach exposed sensitive customer data.
Goodwill did not admit to any wrongdoing, but it agreed to settle to avoid the cost and time of continuing in court. This is common in class action settlements. You get paid, and the company moves on without admitting fault.
How to file your Goodwill data breach settlement claim
To get your cash, you will have to:
- Visit the official settlement website
- Fill out the claim form
- Attach receipts or documentation of losses (if applicable)
- Choose your payment method of choice (ordinary loss, extraordinary loss, or $50 cash)
It is quite simple, and you do not need an attorney to participate.
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