Proposed Class Action Settlement Offered Over The Merchant of Tennis Data Incident

Overview of the Proposed Settlement

A proposed class action settlement has been reached regarding a February 2024 cyberattack on the computer systems of The Merchant of Tennis, Inc., U.S. Merchants Financial Group, Inc., and U.S. Optical Merchants, Inc. The lawsuit, filed under *Victor Estrada v. The Merchant of Tennis, Inc. et al.* (Case No. 24STCV09656), addresses a cybersecurity incident that involved unauthorized access to files containing private information.

It is important to note that the defendants deny any wrongdoing, and the court has not yet determined liability. The parties chose to settle to avoid the ongoing risks and uncertainties associated with continued litigation.

Who Is Included?

The Settlement Class comprises individuals whose personal information was impacted during the incident, including specific employees and third-party truck drivers associated with the defendants.

Summary of Settlement Benefits

Eligible class members may qualify for several provisions under the proposed agreement:

• Cash Payments: Initial base payments are set at $45 for individuals who resided in California at the time of the incident, and $15 for all other members. These amounts are subject to potential pro rata increases or decreases.
• Reimbursement for Losses: Class members can seek up to $2,000 for documented losses by submitting a valid claim.
• Credit Monitoring: Two years of credit monitoring services are available upon request through a claim form.

Key Deadlines and Actions

Class members must navigate several important dates depending on their preferences and status:

• Claim Submission Deadline: Non-employees must submit a valid claim form by January 27, 2027, to receive cash payments or additional benefits. Other eligible members may receive baseline cash payments automatically without filing a form.
• Exclusion and Objection Deadline: Individuals who wish to opt out or object to the settlement must do so by December 28, 2026.
• Final Approval Hearing: The court is scheduled to hold a final approval hearing on March 30, 2027.

How to Verify and Learn More

Because this overview is only a summary, affected individuals should review the official documentation to understand their rights fully. Official resources can be accessed via the designated settlement website at USMSettlement.com or by calling the settlement administrator at (855) 444-5824.