(NEXSTAR) — If you’re one of the 21 million users of the ParkMobile mobile parking app who were involved in an alleged data breach, you may qualify for part of a $32.8 million proposed settlement.
A 2021 lawsuit filed in Georgia accused ParkMobile of failing to protect customers from a data breach after “an unknown actor’s unauthorized access to the Personal Information of ParkMobile App users.”
According to the lawsuit, the compromised information included license plate numbers, email and mailing addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and “hashed passwords.” Plaintiffs claimed they experienced “fraudulent activity” after the breach, like people accessing their Netflix and Venmo accounts.
While ParkMobile acknowledged the data breach, it has denied the lawsuit’s claims and any wrongdoing.
A settlement has, however, been negotiated, according to a website dedicated to the lawsuit. The proposed settlement totals $32.8 million and could put some money in your pocket.
Who qualifies for the ParkMobile settlement?
An estimated 21 million people were impacted by the data breach, according to the settlement site. At the time of the lawsuit, ParkMobile was available in 42 states and more than 550 cities.
If you received notice from ParkMobile about the 2021 incident via mail, or an email notice of the settlement, you are eligible for payment. That notice should include a notice ID and confirmation code. If you no longer have that ID and code, you can look up your login on the settlement website.
If you did not receive a notice but believe you may be included, you can contact the settlement administrator.
How do you submit a claim?
You’ll need the notice ID and confirmation code that was sent to you by mail or email. Then, you can file your claim online. You can also look up your ID and confirmation code here.
You can also print the form, or request one to be mailed to you, and mail it in.
The online claim form closes at 11:59 p.m. PT on March 5, 2025. Mailed-in forms must be postmarked no later than March 5, 2025.
How much could you receive?
Only $9 million of the proposed settlement has been earmarked for cash payments, which have been capped at $25 per class member. You’ll need to file a claim in order to receive the cash.
If you opt against a cash payment, ParkMobile will send a $1 credit code via email for use in its app after the claims period ends, the site explains. You’ll have one year from receiving the code to put it into your app and use it. This payout has been capped at $21 million total, enough to provide every reportedly impacted customer with a $1 credit.
You do not need to file a claim to receive this credit; it will be sent automatically if you are a class member. If you are a class member but would like to exclude yourself from receiving payment altogether, you have to send a letter by February 3, 2025, requesting to be removed from the settlement.
When will you receive your payment?
It could be a few months, or even longer, before you receive your payment. A final approval on the settlement is set for March 13, 2025, but the settlement administrators warn that “there may be appeals, and resolving them may take additional time.”
“It also takes time for all the Claim Forms to be processed, depending on the number of claims submitted and whether any appeals are filed,” the site reads. “Please be patient.”
