Every dollar amount and date on this page is quoted from the official settlement document.
Universal Lenders Data Breach Class Action Settlement
Court case: Bakale et al. v. Universal Lenders, LLC
Universal Lenders settled a class action over a data breach discovered in November 2024 that exposed customers' names, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers. The settlement offered reimbursement, a no-proof cash payment, or credit monitoring to affected class members. The claim filing window closed April 13, 2026.
Official eligibility wordingAll individuals to whom Defendant mailed notices that their Private Information was potentially compromised in the Data Breach discovered in November 2024. Checked against the official settlement source by SettleSignal on June 19, 2026.
Key facts
- Who may qualify The settlement covered all individuals to whom Universal Lenders mailed notice that their private information -- including names, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers -- was potentially compromised in the data breach discovered in November 2024.
- Estimated payoutUp to $2,500.00 in documented expense reimbursement OR $50.00 one-time cash payment (no proof required); plus three years of credit monitoring with $1 million identity theft insurance.
- Claim deadlineApril 13, 2026 (closed)
- Proof requiredOptional
- What you needThe claim deadline (April 13, 2026) has passed, and the settlement is no longer accepting new claims.
- CourtCircuit Court for the Nineteenth Judicial District, Lake County, Illinois
Important dates
How hard is this claim to file?
What the form asks
- — The unique ID printed on the settlement notice mailed to you by Universal Lenders. (Your mailed settlement notice from Universal Lenders received in early 2026.)
- — The PIN printed on the settlement notice mailed to you by Universal Lenders. (Your mailed settlement notice from Universal Lenders received in early 2026.)
- — Choose either expense reimbursement (up to documented amount) or the one-time flat cash payment. (Your own records — decide based on whether you have documented out-of-pocket expenses tied to the breach.)
- — Indicate whether you want to enroll in three years of single-bureau credit monitoring. (Your preference — this is optional and available to all class members regardless of payment option chosen.)
- — Select electronic payment (online claims only) or paper check. (Your preference — electronic payment is faster but only available through the online portal.)
Documents you'll need
Watch out for
- You must have received a mailed notice from Universal Lenders to be eligible — self-identified class members who did not receive a notice may not qualify.
- Online filing requires the unique ID and PIN from your settlement notice — file by mail or email if you cannot locate these.
- Personal notes alone are not sufficient proof for expense reimbursement — you need receipts, invoices, or official statements.
- The opt-out and objection deadline passed before the claim deadline — you can no longer exclude yourself from the settlement.
- Payments will not be issued immediately after the claim deadline; they are sent approximately 75 days after the court grants final approval or within 30 days of claim processing completion, whichever is later.
- Electronic payment is available for online claims only; paper check is the alternative for mailed/emailed submissions.
We prepare — you file on the official site yourself. This is not legal advice and is not an eligibility decision; the administrator and court decide.
Verify it yourself
How we verified this record
- Claim deadline
- Payout details
- Eligibility
- Proof requirement
- Administrator
- Court case
- Payment status
- 1 field queued for re-check
1 official source linked to this record.
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Claim deadline
April 13, 2026
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Eligibility summary Quoted in the official eligibility wording above ↑
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Proof requirement
Optional
Claimants need receipts and supporting documentation showing expenses resulted from the breach. Personal notes alone are not sufficient.
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Payment status
Payment pending
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Estimated payout
Up to $2,500.00 in documented expense reimbursement OR $50.00 one-time cash payment (no proof required); plus three years of credit monitoring with $1 million identity theft insurance.
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Administrator
Simpluris
Show all 6 more verified fields
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Objection deadline
March 14, 2026
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Opt-out deadline
March 14, 2026
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Class period start
November 1, 2024
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Court
Circuit Court for the Nineteenth Judicial District, Lake County, Illinois
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Court case number
2025LA00000214
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Case name
Bakale et al. v. Universal Lenders, LLC
Where to act
