Computer Merchant (TCM) Data Breach Settlement

Apr 16

Data Breach Employment Identity Theft Class Action Settlement Updated Apr 2026 · $610K fund + free credit monitoring

Case background

The Computer Merchant, Ltd. (TCM) agreed to a $610,000 settlement after a July 2024 cyberattack exposed the private information of job applicants and current and former employees. Class members can claim cash and a free year of CyEx Financial Shield credit monitoring.

Settlement fund

$610K

Plus free credit monitoring

Possible cash benefits

Up to $3,000

For documented identity theft

Claim deadline

Closed

Jun 24, 2026

This settlement is closed

Get notified

Do you qualify?

You may qualify if ALL of the following apply:

You are (or were) a job applicant, current employee, or former employee of The Computer Merchant, Ltd.
Your private information was potentially compromised in the July 2024 Data Incident
You were sent notice of the Data Incident
You submit a valid Claim Form by June 24, 2026 (except for CyEx Financial Shield, which all class members receive automatically)
Excluded: TCM's governing board members, governmental entities, the Judge and the Judge's family and staff, and anyone who validly opts out

Unsure whether you are a class member? Call the Settlement Administrator 24/7 at (866) 602-5907 or email info@ComputerMerchantClassSettlement.com.

What happened

In July 2024, The Computer Merchant, Ltd. suffered a targeted cyberattack on its computer network. Files that contained private information were accessed, and those files may have included personal information belonging to TCM's job applicants, current employees, and former employees. Plaintiffs Erika Flores and Sarah Garner sued on behalf of a nationwide class in Flores v. The Computer Merchant, Ltd., Case No. 3:25-cv-00038, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

TCM denies any wrongdoing, and the Court has not decided who is right. Both sides agreed to settle for $610,000 plus one year of CyEx Financial Shield credit monitoring for every class member. Class members may claim cash for documented identity theft losses, out-of-pocket expenses, lost time, or a flat alternative cash payment, and California residents may claim an additional CCPA cash payment.

Data breach July 2024 cyberattack Employee data Credit monitoring CCPA

How to file a claim

1

Confirm you received a Data Incident notice

The Settlement Administrator can confirm your class membership at (866) 602-5907 or info@ComputerMerchantClassSettlement.com.
2

Choose your cash benefit

Extraordinary losses up to $3,000 (with proof), out-of-pocket losses up to $500 (with proof), up to $100 for lost time at $20/hour, or the flat Alternative Cash Payment (estimated ~$40, no proof required). California residents can also claim an additional ~$75 CCPA payment.
3

File online or by mail

Fastest option: submit online at ComputerMerchantClassSettlement.com. To file by mail: download the Claim Form from the settlement site and mail it to TCM Data Incident Settlement c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799. Paper claims must be postmarked by June 24, 2026.

For general information, notice documents, and FAQs, visit the official settlement website: computermerchantclasssettlement.com.
4

Receive your benefits

All class members automatically receive an enrollment code for one year of CyEx Financial Shield Complete with $1 million in fraud insurance. Cash payments are issued after the July 9, 2026 final approval hearing and any appeals.

Key dates

Jun 9, 2026 Opt-out / exclusion deadline Upcoming
Jun 24, 2026 Claim filing deadline Upcoming
Jun 29, 2026 Objection deadline Upcoming
Jul 9, 2026 Final approval hearing (10:00 a.m. PT, San Diego) Upcoming

Final approval hearing will be held at Courtroom 4A, Edward J. Schwartz U.S. Courthouse, 221 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. Payments follow after final approval and any appeals.

Where your money goes

Total settlement fund $610,000

Less: Attorneys' fees (up to 25%) + costs - $152,500+

Less: Service awards ($2,500 × 2 plaintiffs) - $5,000

Less: Notice and administration costs To be set by Court

Available for class members (cash benefits) Net remaining fund

In addition to cash, every class member receives one year of CyEx Financial Shield Complete with $1 million in fraud insurance at no cost. The value of this benefit is separate from the Settlement Fund.

All amounts listed above are pending and subject to final court approval at the fairness hearing.

Common questions

What cash benefits can I claim?

Up to $3,000 for documented extraordinary losses (actual identity theft or fraud tied to the breach), up to $500 for documented out-of-pocket expenses like credit reports and postage, up to $100 for lost time (5 hours at $20/hour), or a flat Alternative Cash Payment estimated at ~$40 with no proof required. California residents may also claim an additional estimated $75 CCPA payment. You cannot claim both the Alternative Cash Payment and Out-of-Pocket Losses.

Do I have to file a claim to get credit monitoring?

No. Every class member automatically receives an enrollment code for one year of CyEx Financial Shield Complete, including $1 million in fraud insurance. You only need to file a Claim Form to receive the cash benefits.

What qualifies as a loss caused by the breach?

Losses must have occurred between July 1, 2024 and June 24, 2026. You must be able to show the loss was more likely than not caused by the Data Incident, that it is documented (receipts, statements, etc.), and that you took reasonable steps to mitigate the loss (such as using insurance). Losses already reimbursed by a third party cannot be claimed.

What if I am not sure whether I was affected?

Class members were sent notice of the Data Incident. If you are not sure, contact the Settlement Administrator free of charge at (866) 602-5907 (24/7), email info@ComputerMerchantClassSettlement.com, or write to TCM Data Incident Settlement c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799.

Does filing a claim affect my right to sue TCM later?

Yes. By staying in the class (filing a claim or doing nothing), you release your claims against TCM related to the Data Incident. To preserve your right to sue, you must opt out by mailing a valid Request for Exclusion postmarked by June 9, 2026 to the Settlement Administrator.

When will payments be sent out?

Payments will be issued only if the Court grants final approval at the July 9, 2026 hearing and any appeals are resolved. No further action is required after you submit a valid claim.

Dapeer Law, P.A.

Consumer class action attorneys based in South Florida. We track settlements so you don’t have to.

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A note on our role

Dapeer Law, P.A. did not act as lead counsel or otherwise participate in litigating the above class action and provides this information to remind class members of the deadline to submit a claim for a share of the settlement.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Dapeer Law, P.A. is not the administrator of this settlement and is not affiliated with The Computer Merchant, Ltd. or Simpluris (the Settlement Administrator). For official information, visit ComputerMerchantClassSettlement.com or call (866) 602-5907. Class Counsel are Joshua Swigart of Swigart Law Group and Ben Travis of Ben Travis Law, APC. This website is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.