Overview:
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN) has agreed to an $820,000 class action settlement stemming from a data breach that occurred between February 7 and February 27, 2023. If you received a notice from ACEN in or around July 2023 notifying you that your personal information may have been affected, you may be eligible to claim up to $5,000 in compensation.
Who’s Eligible?
Anyone who received written notice from ACEN in July 2023 informing them that their personally identifiable information was compromised in the data breach. Approximately 11,980 individuals are estimated to be part of the class.
Settlement Benefits
Eligible class members may file claims for one or more of the following:
- Ordinary Losses (up to $1,500):
Reimbursement for documented, unreimbursed expenses such as:- Bank fees
- Postage and fuel costs for related travel
- Fees for credit monitoring or reports
- Identity theft insurance
(Expenses must have occurred between Feb. 6, 2023 – Aug. 7, 2025)
- Time Spent (up to $100):
Compensation at $25/hour for up to four hours spent dealing with issues caused by the breach. - Extraordinary Losses (up to $5,000):
For severe, documented losses due to identity theft, such as:- Legal or professional fees
- Reissued card costs
- Overdraft/late/over-limit fees
- Interest on payday loans caused by breach-related fund unavailability
(Proof of attempted reimbursement required)
- Credit Monitoring Services:
Two years of free credit monitoring and identity protection, including up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
How to File a Claim
Submit your claim by August 7, 2025, either online or by mail.
Mailing Address:
ACEN Data Breach Settlement
c/o Atticus Administration
PO Box 64053
Saint Paul, MN 55164
What You’ll Need:
- Claimant ID and password (provided in your notice postcard)
- Documentation for any claimed losses (e.g., receipts, statements, fraud reports)
Payout Method:
Payments will be issued by paper check mailed to the address provided in the claim.
Settlement Fund Allocation
The $820,000 settlement will be distributed as follows:
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $295,000
- Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $10,000
- Class representative awards: Up to $10,000
- Settlement administration and credit monitoring: To be determined
- Remaining funds: Paid to eligible class members
Key Deadlines
- Exclusion Deadline: July 8, 2025
- Claim Deadline: August 7, 2025
- Final Fairness Hearing: August 13, 2025
When Will Payments Be Issued?
Settlement checks will be mailed within 51 days of the final hearing or 30 days after final claim approval—whichever is later.
Background
This class action was filed after ACEN experienced a cybersecurity breach that exposed sensitive personal information. Plaintiffs claimed ACEN failed to implement adequate data protection. While ACEN denies any liability or wrongdoing, it agreed to the settlement to avoid ongoing litigation.
Sources:
Settlement Status: Open for Claims
Claim Deadline: August 7, 2025
Award Amount: Varies based on submitted claims
Please be aware that your claim form will be rejected if it contains fraudulent information. By submitting your information and your sworn statement of its accuracy, you are agreeing to do so under penalty of perjury. Submitting false information not only jeopardizes your claim but also affects others who are genuinely eligible for the settlement. If you are uncertain about your eligibility for this class action settlement, please visit the class action administrator’s website for more information. Note that NoProofClassActions.org participates in the Amazon affiliate advertising program, and this post may include affiliate links, which could result in us earning a commission if you make a purchase through those links.
