WASHINGTON– A proposed settlement has been submitted to the court in case in which credit unions filed suit against Wendy’s following a 2016 data breach.
If approved by the court, the case, First Choice Federal Credit Union v. The Wendy's Companywould conclude the lawsuit with Wendy’s paying $50 million in damages. CUNA, state leagues and a number of credit unions are among the plaintiffs.
“We are pleased that Wendy’s has agreed to settle claims involving this data breach. The settlement provides a substantial financial recovery to credit unions that were harmed by the data breach,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. “We will continue to fight for recoveries on behalf of credit unions who bear the financial burden of merchant data breach costs. CUNA continues to pursue federal data security laws, making it much harder for merchants to compromise American consumer’s payment card information.”
Under the terms of the settlement:
- Wendy’s will pay $50 million into a fund to compensate financial institutions that issued payment cards that were alerted on cards in connection with the data breach;
- Wendy’s will adopt and/or maintain certain data security measures
According to CUNA, financial institutions will be able to file claims for reimbursement without requiring supporting documentation. Financial institutions that file valid claims will be paid based on the total number of alerted on cards for this breach.
“For example, if valid claims are submitted for all eligible cards, Settlement Class Members could receive approximately $2.00 per alerted on payment card, if valid claims are submitted for approximately 40% of alerted on payment cards,” CUNA said. “Settlement Class Members could receive approximately $4.80 per alerted on payment card. The amount paid will be based on the number of valid claims submitted.”
In addition, CUNA said, subject to court approval, a service award of up to $7,500 will be paid to each financial institution plaintiff who sat for a deposition and $2,500 to the remaining financial institution Plaintiffs named in the Consolidated Class Action Complaint.
If the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania approves the settlement, financial institutions will be paid under the claims process set up through the settlement.
CUNA said it will provide further information when that mechanism is established.