Quick Answer: The Southeast Series of Lockton Companies agreed to pay $9.9 million to settle a class action lawsuit over a November 2024 data breach that exposed personal information — including Social Security numbers — of more than 1.1 million people. If you received a breach notification from Lockton, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in documented loss reimbursement or a pro rata cash payment. The claim deadline is April 7, 2026.
Expert Context: I’ve helped people navigate class action settlements since launching GetOutOfDebt.org in 2008. Data breach settlements like this one pay real money — but only if you actually file a claim before the deadline. Most people throw out the notice thinking it’s junk mail. It’s not.
Related: More data breach settlements opened this week — Lemonade ($10.5M) and Pawn America ($3.18M)
If you received a letter from the Southeast Series of Lockton Companies about a data breach, that letter is worth money — but only if you act before April 7, 2026.
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Time-sensitive: The claim deadline is April 7, 2026. If you’re eligible, file now. You can submit your claim at thelocktondatasettlement.com.
What Happened
On November 20, 2024, a hacker gained unauthorized access to a single computer and account within the Southeast Series of Lockton Companies’ network. Despite the limited access point, the hacker was able to reach files containing protected health information and personal data for more than 1.1 million individuals.
The exposed information includes:
- Names and addresses
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Financial information
Lockton, a provider of insurance brokerage services, filed a breach report with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights on February 28, 2025. Affected individuals received notification letters in March 2025.
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Who Is Eligible for the Settlement
You may be part of the class if you received a data breach notification letter from the Southeast Series of Lockton Companies. The settlement class includes all individuals whose personal information was compromised in the November 2024 breach.
If you’re not sure whether you were affected, you can check your eligibility at the official settlement website or call the settlement administrator.
What You Can Claim
The $9.9 million settlement is structured in two tiers:
Option 1: Documented Losses (Up to $5,000)
- Unreimbursed fraud or identity theft losses
- Professional fees (credit monitoring, identity restoration)
- Credit report costs and credit freeze fees
- Bank fees and other out-of-pocket expenses
- Time spent resolving issues (documented)
Option 2: Pro Rata Cash Payment
- No documentation required
- Share of the settlement fund divided among claimants
- Exact amount depends on how many people file claims
All class members are also eligible for one year of free credit monitoring through CyEx Financial Shield Complete, which includes credit monitoring, transaction monitoring, identity monitoring, bank account monitoring, and $1 million in identity theft insurance.
How to File Your Claim
- Visit thelocktondatasettlement.com
- Locate your unique ID from the notice you received in the mail
- Choose your benefit option — documented losses (up to $5,000) or pro rata cash payment
- Submit supporting documentation if claiming documented losses
- Submit before April 7, 2026
Can’t find your notice? Check the settlement FAQ page for instructions on how to verify your eligibility without the original letter.
Key Dates
What to Do Right Now to Protect Yourself
Whether or not you file a claim, if your Social Security number was exposed, take these steps immediately:
- Freeze your credit at all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This is free and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
- Monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions
- Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com (free weekly)
- Consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN at irs.gov to prevent tax fraud
- File the settlement claim — even if you haven’t experienced fraud yet, the pro rata payment requires no proof of loss
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The Bottom Line
If Lockton had your personal information and you received a breach notice, you have money waiting — but only until April 7, 2026. Filing a claim takes minutes. The pro rata payment requires no documentation at all. Even if you haven’t noticed fraud yet, your Social Security number is out there, and claiming what you’re owed while protecting your credit is the smart move. Don’t let this deadline pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will I get from the Lockton data breach settlement?
If you experienced documented losses from the breach (fraud, identity theft, credit monitoring costs), you can claim up to $5,000 with supporting documentation. If you didn’t experience losses, you’ll receive a pro rata share of the settlement fund — the exact amount depends on how many people file claims.
What if I threw away the notice?
You can still file a claim. Visit thelocktondatasettlement.com and follow the instructions for class members who don’t have their unique ID. The settlement administrator can verify your eligibility.
Is the Lockton data breach settlement legitimate?
Yes. This is a court-supervised class action settlement (Penny Beasley, et al. v. Southeast Series of Lockton Companies, LLC, et al.). The final approval hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2026. The official settlement website is thelocktondatasettlement.com.
What information was exposed in the Lockton data breach?
The breach exposed names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and financial information. Because Social Security numbers were included — as in the Stellantis/Chrysler ransomware attack — the risk of identity theft is significant — which is why freezing your credit is strongly recommended regardless of whether you file a claim.
Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?
No. The claim process is straightforward and free. You can complete it yourself at the settlement website in a few minutes. Class counsel has already negotiated the settlement on behalf of all class members.
If you work for a company that uses a payroll processor, you may also want to check the Complete Payroll Solutions $2.6M data breach settlement — payroll processors hold exactly the kind of SSN and financial account data exposed in breaches like this one, and that claims deadline is June 18, 2026.
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