Court to Notify Cardholders About a Class Action Settlement Involving Heartland Payment Systems.

Court to Notify Cardholders About a Class Action Settlement Involving Heartland Payment Systems.

PR Newswire -- July 23, 2010



HOUSTON, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- A notification program began today as ordered by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (the "Court"), to alert anyone in the United States (including the District of Columbia) who had or has a payment card (credit or debit) that was used in the United States from December 26, 2007 to December 31, 2008 (the "Settlement Class Period"), and who claims or may claim "Losses." "Losses" are certain unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses (including identity-theft-related charges) or lost time, and are described more fully in the Detailed Notice and Settlement Agreement available at the case website or by calling the toll-free number (both listed below).



The lawsuit challenges Heartland's protection of the consumer credit and debit card information processed though Heartland, which was attacked by criminal intruders in 2008. Plaintiffs claim that Defendant failed to adequately safeguard its computer system and, as a result, unauthorized people gained access to consumers' credit and debit card account information. According to Plaintiffs, Heartland's inadequate security measures allowed unauthorized people to access and steal this information to commit fraud and identity theft.



Defendant denies all of Plaintiffs' claims and says that it did nothing wrong. Specifically, Defendant disagrees with the allegations and says that it has many defenses, that it is not liable to Plaintiffs, and that Plaintiffs are not entitled to any money or benefits from this litigation.



Notices informing Class Members about their legal rights are scheduled to appear in newspapers and major consumer magazines in the United States, leading up to a hearing on December 10, 2010, when the Court will consider whether to grant final approval to the settlement.



The Court appointed Ben Barnow, Barnow and Associates, P.C., of Chicago, Illinois; Lance A. Harke, Harke & Clasby LLP, of Miami, Florida; and Burton H. Finkelstein, Finkelstein Thompson LLP, of Washington, D.C. as Co-Lead Settlement Class Counsel to represent you and other Settlement Class Members.



Those affected by this settlement can submit a claim for benefits, if eligible, or they can ask to be excluded from, or object to, the settlement and its terms. The deadline for exclusions and objections is November 19, 2010. The deadline to claim any of the benefits is August 1, 2011.



A toll-free number, 1-877-271-1547, has been established in the case (called In re Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. Data Security Breach Litigation, Civil Action No. 4:09-MD-2046), along with a website, www.HPScardholdersettlement.com, where notices, claim forms, and the settlement agreement may be obtained. Those affected may also write to HPS Settlement, PO Box 4277, Portland, OR 97208-4277.





SOURCE The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Subject Codes: PC/t.100723075902242, PT/lang.en, IN/CPR, IN/STW, IN/FIN, SU/LAW, RE/Texas, PC/priority.r, PC/category.f, PC/class.1240, PC/WAVO_....c., PC/APT_....c, PC/trade_c, PC/wavo5_c, PC/class.1278, PC/class.1058, PC/WAVO_t....., PC/APT_t...., PC/state_t, PC/wavo1_t, PC/class.1000, PC/WAVO_..b..., PC/APT_..b.., PC/circuit_b, PC/wavo3_b, PC/DataFeat_natl3, PC/port_32, PC/Billing_IRW, PC/Billing_RWB, PC/Billing_TNW, PC/Billing_US1, PC/1stAcc_119852, PC/bureau_SF, PC/port_01, PC/port_96, PC/port_31, PC/port_19, PC/port_91, PC/contact, PC/website, PC/id_SF39613