Overview
Individuals who received a formal notice from Rea Magnet Wire Company Inc. regarding unauthorized access to their personal information during a September 9, 2023, data breach may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 from a class action settlement.
The lawsuit alleged Rea Magnet Wire failed to adequately secure employee personal data, resulting in exposure of sensitive information to cybercriminals. The company has agreed to settle the case but denies any wrongdoing.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for compensation, individuals must:
- Have received a written notification from Rea Magnet Wire Co. Inc. confirming their personal information was accessed without authorization during the September 9, 2023, data breach.
Approximately 3,800 individuals are part of the official class list maintained by the settlement administrator. Only those included in this list are eligible to file a claim.
Available Benefits
Eligible class members can file for the following compensation:
- Ordinary out-of-pocket expenses:
Reimbursement up to $500 for documented costs incurred due to the breach, including:- Legal, accounting, or credit repair fees
- Costs related to freezing or unfreezing credit
- Credit monitoring expenses
- Miscellaneous costs such as postage, notary services, or mileage
Expenses must have occurred between the breach date and seven days after the notice was issued.
- Extraordinary out-of-pocket expenses:
Reimbursement up to $5,000 for documented and unreimbursed losses directly caused by fraud, identity theft, or misuse of personal information. Claimants must show reasonable efforts were made to recover the loss. - Lost time compensation:
Up to $100 for time spent dealing with the breach, calculated at $25 per hour for a maximum of four hours. A description of the actions taken is required. - Alternative cash payment:
A flat $75 payment is available for class members who do not claim out-of-pocket losses or lost time. - Credit Monitoring and Identity Theft Protection:
Three years of credit monitoring services at no cost, including real-time alerts and up to $1,000,000 in identity theft insurance.
How to File a Claim
There are two options to submit a claim:
- Online via the official settlement website
- By mail using the PDF claim form (available on Page 41 of Exhibit 1 of the settlement agreement), sent to:
John McKibben v. Rea Magnet Wire Co. Inc.
c/o Apex Class Action LLC
P.O. Box 54668
Irvine, CA 92619
The deadline to file a claim is August 2, 2025.
Documentation Requirements
- For reimbursement claims:
Third-party documentation is required (e.g., receipts, invoices, bank statements) to show that the data breach caused the claimed loss. Self-prepared materials (such as spreadsheets or personal logs) are not sufficient on their own. - For lost time claims:
A written description of the time spent addressing breach-related issues must be included with the claim.
Payment Methods
Class members may choose one of the following options:
- Electronic transfer (only available for online submissions)
- Paper check
Settlement Fund Breakdown
The settlement fund will be allocated as follows:
- Attorneys’ fees and expenses, and administration costs: Up to $190,000
- Service award to class representative: $2,500
- Credit monitoring service costs: Amount to be determined
- Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund
Important Dates
- Claim filing deadline: August 2, 2025
- Exclusion (opt-out) deadline: August 2, 2025
- Final approval hearing: August 4, 2025
When Will Payments Be Made?
Payments are expected to be issued approximately 30 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement and all appeals, if any, are resolved.
Why Was There a Settlement?
The lawsuit alleged Rea Magnet Wire failed to properly safeguard employee personal information, resulting in unauthorized access during a cyberattack on or about September 9, 2023. The plaintiffs brought claims for negligence, breach of implied contract, unjust enrichment, and related legal theories.
Although the company denies any liability, it agreed to the settlement to avoid the uncertainty, expense, and disruption of ongoing litigation.
Sources
Settlement Status: Open for Claims
Compensation: Varies ($75 to $5,000 + credit monitoring)
Claim Deadline: August 2, 2025
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.
