First Baptist Church of Hammond Data Breach Settlement: Benefits Offered

The settlement class is based on whether a person’s personally identifiable information was accessed or acquired in the incident. The notice says FBC’s records indicate that a recipient is a Class Member, but it also provides contact information for the Settlement Administrator if someone is unsure.

• People whose personally identifiable information was accessed and/or acquired by an unauthorized party because of the July 2025 incident.
• You are not included if you are FBC, certain people or entities connected with FBC, a government entity, the judge or the judge’s family or staff, or if you validly leave the settlement.

The $50 payment replaces the ordinary-expense, extraordinary-loss and lost-time benefits. The official claim form has separate sections for those three benefits and bars selecting the $50 option with any of them. You can request the other benefits for qualifying, nonduplicated expenses and time, subject to each limit and condition. The claim form was checked September 9, 2026: https://cw.simpluris.com/docs/public/downloads/FKC/CLAIM_FORM.

• Up to $450 for ordinary, documented out-of-pocket expenses caused by the incident.
• Up to $4,500 for documented identity-theft or fraud losses, if the additional conditions are met.
• Up to $80 for up to four hours spent responding to the incident, paid at $20 per hour.
• A one-time $50 alternative cash payment.

This option is for documented everyday expenses connected to the data incident, up to $450.

• The expense must be an actual out-of-pocket cost caused by the incident.
• It must have occurred from July 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
• The notice gives examples such as credit-report or credit-monitoring fees, credit-freeze fees, replacement-ID costs, and postage used to contact banks.
• You need supporting proof, such as receipts. Your own notes can help explain other proof, but cannot be the only proof.
• You cannot be paid again for an expense already reimbursed by someone else.

This higher benefit is limited to documented identity-theft or fraud losses and has requirements beyond simply showing that money was lost.

• The loss must be from identity theft or fraud and probably have been caused by this incident.
• It cannot duplicate an amount covered by the ordinary-expense benefit.
• You must have tried to avoid the loss or recover your money, including through insurance you already had.
• The loss must have occurred from July 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
• You need supporting proof. Amounts already reimbursed by another party cannot be claimed again.

The notice does not state that receipts or other documents are required for lost time. It does require a short description of how you used the time.

• You may request payment for up to four hours.
• The rate is $20 per hour, with an $80 maximum.
• The time must have been spent responding to the incident.
• Briefly describe the tasks you did. The notice gives examples including changing passwords, checking suspicious account activity, and researching the incident.

A claim form is required for every payment option, including the $50 alternative payment. The notice says the $50 option needs no proof or explanation, but a form still must be submitted.

• Submit a Claim Form online by September 30, 2026.
• Or download a printable form and mail it to the Settlement Administrator.
• A mailed form must be completed, signed, include supporting documents when required, and be postmarked by September 30, 2026.
• You may request a paper form by phone, email, or mail.

Opting out means formally leaving the settlement. You may exclude only yourself, not another person.

• Leaving the settlement means you will receive no settlement payment or benefit.
• You keep any rights you may have to bring your own case against FBC about the legal issues covered here.
• To leave, send a signed Request for Exclusion with the case name, your contact information, and a clear statement that you do not want to participate.
• The request must be submitted, postmarked, or emailed by September 16, 2026.
• Read notice Question 15 for the complete exclusion requirements and mailing address; the request must personally identify and be signed by the person opting out.

An objection tells the court why you think it should not approve some or all of the settlement. You may still file a claim for benefits if you object.

• You can object only if you stay in the settlement; a person who opts out cannot object.
• A complete written objection must be filed with the Clerk of Court and a copy must be sent to the Settlement Administrator.
• The objection must include the required identifying information, reasons, signature, and other listed details.
• The deadline is September 16, 2026.
• Use notice Question 16 for the full eight-part requirement list and both delivery addresses, including prior objections and any hearing appearance, witnesses or exhibits.

This is a proposed settlement, not a final approval. Payments will be distributed only if the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.

• The hearing is scheduled for November 30, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time.
• It is scheduled to take place in person at Lake Superior Court No. 1, 232 Russell Street, Hammond, Indiana.
• The court will decide whether to approve the settlement and will consider objections.
• You do not have to attend. The hearing date or time may change.

The notice describes online claims and mailed claims postmarked by September 30, 2026. The official claim form also permits emailing an image of the completed form to [email protected]. Its first page says received or postmarked by September 30, while page 3 says claims must be received by that date. These instructions were checked September 9, 2026 at https://cw.simpluris.com/docs/public/downloads/FKC/CLAIM_FORM and https://www.FBCDataSettlement.com. Submit early; if you are relying on mail timing or email submission, ask the administrator at (833) 421-7348 or [email protected] to confirm how the instructions apply.

Submit only one claim per person. The paper form asks for your contact details, the Login ID if known, the benefits you request, any required documentation and your signed attestation. Payment choices include PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, a virtual prepaid card or a physical check. Keep your contact information current with the administrator. These details come from the official claim form checked September 9, 2026: https://cw.simpluris.com/docs/public/downloads/FKC/CLAIM_FORM.