People whose private information was potentially affected by the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences data incident may claim two years of monitoring and a cash benefit. The choices are reimbursement and lost time, or a $25 alternative. ACPHS denies wrongdoing; the court has not decided the claims.
Benefit Summary
People affected by the ACPHS incident: Covered U.S. residents who file valid claims, subject to the exclusions described below.
Documented losses and lost time package: These benefits can combine when their individual eligibility and claim requirements are met. Select two years of CyEx Financial Shield Total for monitoring, fraud-resolution help and $1 million of financial fraud insurance. The insurance limit is not a cash award. Claim up to $5,000 for documented, unreimbursed losses caused by the incident between August 31, 2024 and November 16, 2026. Eligible losses and costs can include fraud, credit-related services, replacement IDs and postage to banks. This can combine with eligible lost time, but not the $25 alternative. Claim up to four hours at $20 per hour, a maximum of $80, spent responding to the incident. Briefly describe the tasks and sign the attestation. Loss receipts are not required for this option. It may combine with reimbursement, but not the $25 alternative.
Alternative cash payment package: These benefits can combine when their individual eligibility and claim requirements are met. Select two years of CyEx Financial Shield Total for monitoring, fraud-resolution help and $1 million of financial fraud insurance. The insurance limit is not a cash award. Choose $25 instead of both reimbursement and lost-time compensation. You need no loss proof or explanation for this option, but must submit a signed claim. Monitoring remains available.
Choose one of these benefit packages; they are alternatives for this group.
The notice states no total fund or overall benefits cap. The requested $300,000 in legal fees and costs and up to $10,000 in representative awards would be paid by ACPHS if approved; those figures are not individual payment amounts.
Available Awards
Up to $5,000 documented losses + Up to $80 lost time OR $25 cash alternative
Who Is Included
U.S. residents whose private information was potentially affected by the incident involving ACPHS computer systems between August 31 and September 14, 2024. Excluded are ACPHS and its officers, directors, agents, affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, successors, assigns and controlled entities; valid opt-outs; the assigned judges and their staff and immediate families; and people convicted of, or who pleaded no contest to, initiating, causing, aiding or abetting the incident.
- Proof required: For reimbursement, provide receipts, bank statements or other records showing the amount and connection to the incident. Your own notes can explain evidence but do not suffice alone. Lost time requires a brief description and signed attestation, rather than loss receipts. The $25 alternative needs no loss proof or explanation, but the signed claim remains required and may be verified.
Claim and Payment Information
- Claim method: Online, email or U.S. mail
- Claim deadline: 2026-11-16
- Instructions: Submit one signed claim per person and include required loss records. Online filing is due November 16, 2026 and requires your LoginID and PIN. The printable form also accepts an image of the completed form at [email protected] by November 16. Mail goes to ACPHS Data Security Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958. Mailing instructions conflict: notice Question 10 says postmarked November 15; the portal says postmarked November 16; the form says received November 16. Mail early enough to satisfy both the earlier postmark and receipt requirements, use the verified online/email route, or ask the administrator. Sources checked September 8, 2026: https://www.albanycollegesettlement.com/form/claim and https://cw.simpluris.com/docs/public/downloads/ALC1/CLAIM_FORM .
Questions & Answers
Can I combine the $5,000 loss benefit, $80 for time and $25 payment?
You can claim qualifying documented losses and lost time together. The limits are $5,000 for losses and four hours at $20 per hour for time. The $25 option replaces both of those payments; it is not an extra $25. You may select monitoring with either cash choice.
Can I claim time even if I have no receipts?
Yes, if you spent time responding to the incident. Examples include changing passwords, investigating suspicious account activity and researching the breach. Select the hours, briefly explain your work and sign the certification. Lost-time claims do not require loss receipts, but must be truthful and may be verified.
Which losses qualify for reimbursement?
The expense must be tied to the incident, incurred between August 31, 2024 and November 16, 2026, and not repaid by a third party. Examples include identity-theft or fraud losses, eligible credit-report or monitoring fees, credit-freeze fees, replacement IDs and postage to banks.
Send records showing the amount and connection. Personal notes can explain other records but cannot replace them. The form asks you to print your name and sign any additional expense sheets. Form checked September 8, 2026: https://cw.simpluris.com/docs/public/downloads/ALC1/CLAIM_FORM .
What does the monitoring benefit include?
Two years of CyEx Financial Shield Total, including fraud and identity-theft monitoring, monitoring of certain financial transactions, fraud-resolution help and $1 million in financial fraud insurance. The insurance figure is coverage, not a settlement check. Select monitoring on the claim form if you want it.
Is a mailed claim due November 15 or November 16?
The official sources disagree. Notice Question 10 says postmarked by November 15, 2026. The online portal says postmarked by November 16, while the printable form says it must arrive by November 16.
To avoid relying on the conflicting wording, mail early enough for a postmark by November 15 and arrival by November 16, or submit online or by the form's email method by November 16. Ask (833) 360-6834 or [email protected] for clarification if timing is uncertain. Checked September 8, 2026: https://www.albanycollegesettlement.com/form/claim and https://cw.simpluris.com/docs/public/downloads/ALC1/CLAIM_FORM .
Can I file without my LoginID and PIN?
The online portal requires both from your notice. Contact the administrator if you need help finding them. The printable form asks for Login ID if known and accepts mail or an electronic image of the completed signed form by email. Submit only one claim per person.
The form offers PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or a mailed check. Keep your contact and payment details current with the administrator. Portal and form checked September 8, 2026: https://www.albanycollegesettlement.com/form/claim and https://cw.simpluris.com/docs/public/downloads/ALC1/CLAIM_FORM .
Is $300,000 the settlement fund?
No. The notice identifies $300,000 as the lawyers' requested fees and litigation costs, subject to court approval and payment by ACPHS. It also lists proposed awards of $2,500 for each of four class representatives. The notice gives no total fund or overall benefits cap.
How do I opt out?
Mail a personally signed request postmarked by October 16, 2026 to ACPHS Data Security Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958. Include the case name and number, your full name, mailing address, phone and email, and a clear statement asking to be excluded.
You may exclude only yourself, and cannot opt out by phone or email. Leaving means no settlement benefits but preserves any rights you have to pursue the covered claims separately. Notice Question 15 has the requirements.
Can I object while still claiming benefits?
Yes. Stay in the class, file a complete objection with the court clerk by October 16, 2026 and send copies to the administrator, class counsel and ACPHS counsel. A timely claim is still needed for benefits.
Notice Question 16 lists the required details and every address, including your reasons, signature, attorney information if applicable, prior objections and any plans for witnesses, documents or speaking at the hearing. An objection is not an opt-out request.
When will the court decide, and must I attend?
The hearing is scheduled for December 10, 2026 at 10 a.m. Eastern at the Supreme Court of Albany County, 16 Eagle Street, Albany, New York. It may be held remotely or rescheduled, so check the official site. Attendance is optional; follow Question 16 if you want permission to speak.
Benefits wait for final approval and resolution of any appeals. The notice does not give a definite payment date.
What happens if I do nothing?
You receive neither money nor monitoring. Unless you opt out, final approval binds you to the settlement and its release of the covered claims. Section XI of the agreement describes the claims being released.
Other Important Dates
- Exclusion deadline: 2026-10-16
- Objection deadline: 2026-10-16
- Final approval hearing: December 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time
- Hearing location: Supreme Court of Albany County, New York, 16 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207
Case Details
- Case name: Levin, et al. v. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Case number: 906277-25
- Court: Supreme Court of Albany County, New York
- Administrator: Simpluris
- Official Settlement Website: https://www.AlbanyCollegeSettlement.com
Sources
Claim form, FAQ, deadlines, administrator information
Court-approved notice describing eligibility and benefits