ECSI data breach settlement
Hood, et al. v. Educational Computer Systems, Inc.
Also known as Heartland ECSI; ECSI settlement; Hood v. ECSI
The lawsuit claimed ECSI's data security was inadequate when its website was hit by a 2023-2024 cyberattack.
Copied from the official notice. Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- You could get
- About $100 Up to $5,000 instead, for losses you can show with paperwork.
Source
“estimated to be approximately $100.00”
From the administrator site: Official long-form notice (PDF on official site). Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- You need
- No receipt needed Your contact details and a payment choice (PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or check) Quick claim: describes the claim form only
Source
“PayPal - Enter your PayPal email address ... Venmo - Enter the mobile number associated with your account ... Zelle - Enter the mobile number or email address associated with your account ... Physical Check - Payment will be mailed to the address you provided above. ... Supporting documentation must be provided. Enclose or upload reasonable documentary proof of the Out-Of-Pocket Losses you believe are more likely than not caused by the Security Incident. ... Any documentation you submit may not be “self-prepared.””
From the administrator site: Official claim form (PDF on official site). Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- Who can file
- Data potentially accessed in ECSI attack, Oct 2023-Feb 2024
Source
“a criminal cyberattack that was perpetrated against ECSI between October 29, 2023 and February 12, 2024 ... Yes, the following are not included in the Settlement Class: (1) the judge to whom the Litigation is assigned and any member of the judge’s staff or immediate family;”
From the administrator site: Official long-form notice (PDF on official site). Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S.
Source
“The Settlement Class is defined as “all Persons residing within the United States whose Personal Information was potentially accessed in the Security Incident.””
From the administrator site: Official long-form notice (PDF on official site). Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
- Time to file
- About 4 minutes
Source
Our estimate of how long the official claim form takes. The notice does not say.
From the official site: datasettlementecsi.com. Last compared Nov 7, 2026.
Free. The official site never charges.
Quick answers
How much is the ECSI data breach settlement payout?
About $100. Up to $5,000 instead, for losses you can show with paperwork.
Where is the ECSI data breach settlement claim form?
On the official site, www.datasettlementecsi.com. Filing is free. The last day to file is Dec 21, 2026.
When will the ECSI data breach settlement pay?
Payment can only happen after the court gives final approval and any appeals are over.
The final approval hearing is set for Jan 11, 2027.
Is the ECSI data breach settlement legit?
The settlement administrator (the company that handles claims) is Angeion, and the official site is www.datasettlementecsi.com. Real notices point there; if a link in a message goes anywhere else, do not use it.
The official site never asks you to pay to file.
Compare yourself to the official class definition
You may be included if you live in the U.S. and your personal information was potentially accessed in the cyberattack on ECSI's website.
It covers the attack on ECSI's website between October 29, 2023 and February 12, 2024.
You are not included if you are the judge on the case or a member of the judge's staff or immediate family.
Check each condition yourself. The boxes are only for you; nothing is sent or stored.
all Persons residing within the United States whose Personal Information was potentially accessed in the Security Incident.
From the administrator site: Official long-form notice (PDF on official site)
This checklist is for guidance only and can be wrong. Only the court's definition decides. Read the official wording before you file.
Official payout table
The amounts the settlement itself sets. We do not work out a personal amount.
| Option and condition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Alternative Cash PaymentEstimate; can change with the number of claims | $100 |
| Out-of-pocket losses you can show with paperworkThe most one claim can get | Up to $5,000 |
Choose one, not both. The cash amount is an estimate and is increased or reduced depending on how many people file. Documents are required for losses.
The amount of the Alternative Cash Payment is estimated to be approximately $100.00, but is subject to a pro rata increase or decrease based on the number of total approved claims, and will be calculated at the end of the settlement process. A Settlement Class Member may receive only one of (i) reimbursement of Out-Of-Pocket Losses and (ii) an Alternative Cash Payment.
From the administrator site: Official long-form notice (PDF on official site)
Estimates can change with the number of valid claims and court deductions. Guidance only.
How to file
-
Gather what you need
No proof of purchase is required.
- Your contact details and a payment choice (PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or check)
- For out-of-pocket losses: documents such as bank statements or receipts (not self-prepared)
-
File online, or by mail
At www.datasettlementecsi.com, by Dec 21, 2026. Filing is free.
Or mail a paper claim form to:ECSI Security Incident Settlement Administrator, ATTN: Claim Forms, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103
The deadline note says: “Online by December 21, 2026, or by mail postmarked by December 21, 2026.” -
Save your confirmation
Keep your confirmation number or email. You do not need to file again.
Confirm with the administrator before you act.
After you file
Payment can only happen after the court gives final approval and any appeals are over.
The final approval hearing is set for Jan 11, 2027.
For context: First payments were issued 52 to 875 days after final approval, based on 15 settlements. Half were paid within 119 days. 1 of the 15 waited on appeals after approval.
Also ending this week
Related settlements
Case details
- Case
- Hood, et al. v. Educational Computer Systems, Inc.
- Court
- United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- Case number
- 2:24-cv-00666-CCW
- Administrator
- Angeion
- Official site
- www.datasettlementecsi.com
- Settlement fund
- $6,500,000.00
- Full payout terms
- About $100 cash, or up to $5,000 for documented lossesChoose one: an Alternative Cash Payment estimated at about $100 (pro rata, may go up or down; no documents needed), or reimbursement of documented, unreimbursed out-of-pocket losses up to $5,000 (documents required). You cannot get both.
- Effort
- Easy, about 4 minutes
Other dates
- Opt-out (exclusion) deadline
- (ahead) source document
- Objection deadline
- (ahead) source document
- Final approval hearing
- (ahead) source document
The court’s exact words
all Persons residing within the United States whose Personal Information was potentially accessed in the Security Incident.
Quoted from the official notice. Read the notice for the full definition.
Our notes: The settlement concerns a criminal cyberattack on ECSI's website between October 29, 2023 and February 12, 2024 (the 'Security Incident'). Per the notice, the class is all persons residing within the United States whose personal information was potentially accessed in it. Excluded: the judge, the judge's staff and immediate family, anyone found guilty of (or pleading nolo contendere to) causing the attack, and people who opt out. Read the notice for the full definition.
Sources and checks (3)
Every fact people act on was copied from the official source and compared with it. How we check
- Official long-form notice (PDF on official site) administrator site
- Official claim form (PDF on official site) administrator site
- Official settlement website home page administrator site
What changedLast change Oct 26, 2026
- Page created. Claims open until December 21, 2026. source document
Questions
I already filed. What now?
Keep your confirmation number or email. You do not need to file again. Payment can only happen after the court gives final approval; once it does, the payment status page shows what is known.
Opting out
To leave the settlement and keep your right to sue on your own, follow the official notice by Nov 20, 2026. If you opt out, you get no payment. Opting out and objecting have separate rules; we cannot tell you which is right for you.