Open for claimsData BreachCommunications Data Group Data Breach Settlement
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U.S. residents who received a notice of the February 2025 data incident from Communications Data Group (CDG) or Home Telecom may qualify. Online claims are due November 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time; mailed claims must be postmarked by November 10.
Eligible class members may choose a $45 alternative cash payment, or request up to $5,000 for qualifying documented losses and optionally three years of credit monitoring. Monitoring can also be selected alone. The $45 alternative cannot be combined with loss reimbursement or monitoring.
The settlement has preliminary approval. Defendants deny wrongdoing, and benefits depend on final approval and resolution of appeals. The final approval hearing is scheduled for November 16, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Central Time.
Key facts
- Claim deadline
- November 10, 2026; online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern or mail postmarked by that date
- Alternative payment
- $45 instead of loss reimbursement and credit monitoring
- Documented losses
- Up to $5,000 for qualifying unreimbursed incident-related losses
- Credit monitoring
- Three years of one-bureau CyEx monitoring; available alone or with a loss claim
- Case
- Pierce, et al. v. Communications Data Group, Inc., et al., No. 2026CH000032
Official settlement administrator: Simpluris, Inc.
Evidence for key facts
These excerpts record what official sources said when checked. Open a fact to see its source and supporting passage. Follow the source for the latest information.
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The terms of the Settlement Agreement are preliminarily approved as fair, reasonable, and adequate.
Signed preliminary approval orderPDF p2, paragraph 2; signed August 12, 2026 on p9; whitespace normalized
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If you are a Settlement Class Member and wish to receive Settlement Benefits then you must submit a claim form by November 10, 2026.
Official claim entryOnline claim login page; whitespace normalized
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All persons residing in the United States who received a Notice of Data Incident letter from CDG or Home Telecom relating to the Data Incident.
Signed preliminary approval orderPDF p2, paragraph 4; whitespace normalized
Who qualifiesChecked
Excluded from the Settlement Class are (a) all persons who are employees, directors, officers, and agents of Defendants, or their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies; (b) governmental entities; and (c) the Judge(s) assigned to the Action and their immediate family, and Court staff.
Signed preliminary approval orderPDF p2, paragraph 4; whitespace normalized
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“Data Incident” means the ransomware attack perpetrated on CDG and discovered by CDG on or about February 13, 2025.
Settlement agreementPDF p6, paragraph 30; whitespace normalized
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a Settlement Class Member may elect to receive an Alternative Cash Payment, which is a flat payment in the amount of $45.00.
Settlement agreementPDF p15, paragraph 74; whitespace normalized
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By submitting a Claim for an Alternative Cash Payment, you cannot additionally Claim a Documented Loss or Credit Monitoring.
Official claim formPDF p4, alternative cash payment; whitespace normalized
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Documented Losses for a maximum of $5,000.00 per Settlement Class Member upon presentment of Reasonable Documentation of Documented Losses related to the Data Incident.
Settlement agreementPDF p14, paragraph 73 continuation; whitespace normalized
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if (i) the loss is an actual, documented, and unreimbursed monetary loss; (ii) the loss was more likely than not caused by the Data Incident; and (iii) the loss was incurred after the date of the Data Incident.
Settlement agreementPDF p14, paragraph 73; whitespace normalized
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where the claimant made reasonable efforts to avoid or seek reimbursement for, the expense.
Settlement agreementPDF p6, paragraph 35; whitespace normalized
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Settlement Class Members who select Cash Payment for Document Losses may also make a claim for Credit Monitoring.
Settlement agreementPDF p15, paragraph 75; whitespace normalized
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Three (3) years Credit Monitoring offered by CyEx with one (1) major credit bureau (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion), which will include, at least identity theft insurance up to $1,000,000, without deductible.
Official claim formPDF p2, credit monitoring; whitespace normalized
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“Self-prepared” documents, such as handwritten receipts, will not count as documentation, but you can submit them as clarification to other, official documents.
Official claim formPDF p1, documented-loss instructions; whitespace normalized
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All Claim Forms must include a signed Certification found on the final page of the Claim Form.
Official claim formPDF p2, completing the form; whitespace normalized
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To start your online claim form, you must login with your LoginID and PIN. You can find your LoginID and PIN on the Notice that was sent to you.
Official claim entryOnline claim login instructions; whitespace normalized
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The DEADLINE to submit this Claim Form online (or have it postmarked for mailing) is November 10, 2026
Official claim formPDF p1, heading; visually verified; whitespace normalized
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returned via mail and postmarked by the Claim Form Deadline, or, if submitted online, submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the Claim Form Deadline
Settlement agreementPDF p13, paragraph 70(d); whitespace normalized
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only your claim for Credit Monitoring, if such Claims was made, will be considered.
Official claim formPDF p6, consequence of undocumented/rejected uncured loss claim; whitespace normalized
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CDG shall pay or cause to be paid to the Settlement Administrator the invoiced amount of all Valid Claims within thirty (30) days of the invoice.
Settlement agreementPDF p26, paragraph 106; whitespace normalized
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Payments to Class Members will be made if the Court approves the Settlement and after any possible appeals are resolved.
Official long-form noticePDF p3; whitespace normalized
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all Claims for cash payments under this Settlement are subject to the availability of settlement funds and may be reduced in part or in whole, depending on the type of Claim and the determinations of the Settlement Administrator
Official claim formPDF p7, certification; whitespace normalized
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The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on November 16, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. CT to decide whether to approve the Settlement.
Official long-form noticePDF p6, FAQ11; corroborated by visually inspected signed order pp8–9
Who qualifies
- The class conditionally certified for settlement purposes covers people residing in the United States who received a Notice of Data Incident letter from CDG or Home Telecom about the ransomware attack discovered on or about February 13, 2025. A customer relationship alone does not establish eligibility.
- The lawsuit names CDG, Duo County Telephone Cooperative Corporation, Cumberland Cellular and Home Wireless (Home Telecom). The court order’s class is nationwide, rather than limited to the states where those providers operate.
- Excluded are employees, directors, officers and agents of defendants or their subsidiaries and affiliated companies; governmental entities; the judges assigned to the case and their immediate families; and court staff. Valid opt-outs cannot receive benefits.
How to file a claim
- 1
Find your settlement notice
Online filing requires the LoginID and PIN on your notice. If you cannot find them, contact info@CommunicationsDataGroupSettlement.com or (866) 601-3534. The paper form asks for your Class Member ID.
- 2
Choose your benefit
Select either the $45 alternative payment, documented-loss reimbursement with optional credit monitoring, or credit monitoring alone. Do not combine the $45 alternative with either other benefit.
- 3
Document losses and sign
For a loss claim, provide supporting records such as bank statements, receipts or invoices and explain the incident connection. Self-prepared notes alone are insufficient. Every claim needs the signed certification; the administrator may request more information.
- 4
Submit by November 10
File online by November 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, or mail the signed form and supporting documents postmarked by November 10 to Communications Data Group Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958. Submit only one claim per person.
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Frequently asked questions
What losses can be reimbursed?
The loss must be actual, documented, unreimbursed, more likely than not caused by the incident, and incurred after the incident. You must have made reasonable efforts to avoid it or seek reimbursement. Examples include qualifying fraud losses, professional fees, credit-freeze costs and incident-related postage or travel expenses. For purchased credit monitoring, the agreement covers costs from the mailing of the incident notice through your claim submission date. The administrator decides validity; reimbursement is capped at $5,000 per class member.
Does the $45 alternative require loss receipts?
The alternative payment does not require a documented monetary-loss claim. You still must qualify for the class and submit a valid, signed claim. It replaces both loss reimbursement and credit monitoring; payment is not automatic.
What credit monitoring is available?
Class members may request three years of CyEx monitoring with one major credit bureau and identity theft insurance up to $1 million without a deductible. Select monitoring alone or with a documented-loss claim. It is unavailable with the $45 alternative.
What if my loss claim is rejected?
The administrator may send a deficiency notice and request additional information. Respond within the stated deadline. The claim form says that if the loss claim is not supported or is rejected and the defect is not cured, only a separately requested monitoring claim will be considered. Do not assume that a rejected loss claim converts into $45.
When will payments arrive?
There is no guaranteed calendar payment date. Final approval and resolution of appeals are required. The signed court order and notice list a hearing for November 16, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. The homepage sidebar shows a different time; check the official documents and website for any later court change.
Who decides whether a claim qualifies?
Simpluris reviews claims and may seek more proof, reduce or deny an invalid claim, or investigate suspected duplication or fraud. Stated benefits are conditional on a valid claim and final approval. The issued claim’s certification also warns that cash payments are subject to available funds and administrator determinations; do not treat either advertised amount as an unconditional guarantee.
Sources and official records
Consult these records for the official terms and current updates. ClaimBee's summary helps explain the settlement; the administrator and court documents determine the claim requirements and benefits.
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