Constar Financial Services & Empereon Marketing Data Breach Settlement: Key Details and Deadline A class-action settlement has been reached in the aftermath of a September 2024 cyberattack targeting Constar Financial Services and Empereon Marketing, two affiliated companies specializing in debt collection and call center services. The breach exposed sensitive personal data, including names, Social Security numbers, addresses, employment details, and financial information of consumers whose accounts the firms managed. ### Incident Overview - When: The breach occurred in September 2024, with court filings confirming unauthorized access to files containing personal data. - Who: Constar Financial Services (a debt collection and accounts-receivable firm) and Empereon Marketing (a call center provider) were targeted. The incident was independently verified via the Massachusetts Attorney General’s breach notification portal. - What Was Exposed: Affected files may have included Social Security numbers, contact details, employment history, income, expenses, and asset information a dataset capable of enabling identity theft. - Response: The companies deny wrongdoing, and no court has found liability. The settlement was agreed upon to avoid prolonged litigation. ### Settlement Details - Eligibility: Class members include individuals whose data was compromised. Those who received a breach notification letter from Constar or Empereon are automatically included and should have received a Claim ID and PIN for filing. - Deadline: May 1, 2026 (eight days from the notice) is the final date to submit a claim. The opt-out and objection deadlines (April 14, 2026) have already passed. - Compensation Options: 1. Up to $1,000 for documented out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., credit monitoring fees, bank charges, fraud-related costs) incurred between September 27, 2024, and May 1, 2026. 2. Up to $5,000 for extraordinary losses (e.g., identity theft or fraud directly tied to the breach), requiring proof of causation and mitigation efforts. 3. Three years of free credit monitoring through the settlement administrator. - Maximum Payout: $6,000 per claimant (plus credit monitoring), though most claims are expected to be smaller. - Payment Timeline: Payouts will occur after the final approval hearing on May 22, 2026, and any potential appeals. ### How to File a Claim - Online: Submit via the official settlement website ([EmpereonConstarDataSettlement.com](https://www.EmpereonConstarDataSettlement.com)). - Mail: Send a printed claim form to Constar Data Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958 (must be postmarked by May 1, 2026). - Assistance: Class members without a notice can request a claim form by calling 1-833-647-9042 or emailing [email protected]. ### Security Considerations The exposed data particularly Social Security numbers and financial details poses a high risk for identity theft, including fraudulent credit applications, tax filings, or government benefit claims. While the settlement offers credit monitoring, affected individuals are advised to place a credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for proactive protection. Phishing Warning: Scammers may exploit the settlement. Legitimate communications will only come from the official administrator, using the verified website and phone number above. No legitimate representative will request Social Security numbers via unsolicited calls. The May 1 deadline is final class members who received a breach notice must file a claim by this date to receive benefits.