On average, people have over 100 passwords to store in their memory banks and recall at a moment’s notice. If you’re thinking, “Wow, that’s far too many,” you’re definitely not alone. That’s why people have turned to services like LastPass to keep their passwords safe and secure until they need them.
Unfortunately, LastPass recently failed in its duty to keep clients’ passwords safe, losing it all in two separate data breaches in 2022. If you were one of the people affected by those breaches, you might be able to file a lawsuit against LastPass for damages caused by their loss of your data.
Ready to get started? Here's what you need to know about suing LastPass over the data breach.
The 2022 LastPass Data Breach
LastPass prides itself on holding its customers’ passwords in a secure vault for quick and easy retrieval. When everything works as intended, the vault stays secure using a master password, allowing you to just remember one key phrase, not 100 or more.
Everything fell apart with their claims when two data breaches occurred in 2022. The first incident occurred when the corporate laptop of a software engineer got compromised. The second happened during the use of third-party software by a DevOps engineer.
Ultimately, LastPass claims that the data breaches were not due to unauthorized system access or product defects. Despite that, they are still potentially responsible for any damages that occurred from your data getting into the wrong hands.
A Class Action Suit is in the Works
Due to their mishandling of customer data, LastPass now faces a class action lawsuit filed by an anonymous plaintiff in the US district court in Massachusetts. In that lawsuit, the plaintiff claims that the data breaches made customers vulnerable to blackmail attempts, ransom threats, and financial ruin.
To resolve the issue, the lawsuit demands that LastPass cover any and all damages caused by the breaches, including $53,000 in bitcoin stolen from the plaintiff soon after the breaches occurred. The sky is the limit to what damages could occur, however, as cybercriminals use the passwords to access financial accounts and other systems.
How to Join the LastPass Class Action Lawsuit
Since the class action lawsuit was just filed, there’s currently nothing you currently need to do to join. You simply have to wait for the case to move forward in the court system and reach the settlement phase. This can take anywhere from months to years.
After the parties reach a settlement, all other people directly affected by the LastPass data breach can join the class action suit. You will likely receive notice by email or in the physical mail. If not, you can check online for a settlement submission form and then fill it out in full to join the lawsuit.
Protect Your Info While You Wait
In the meantime, change all your passwords stored in the LastPass system. Remember to use password best practices to prevent cybercriminals from accessing any more of your sensitive information. Never use the same password twice, for example, and use a good mix of letters, numbers, and symbols every time.
Also, consider pulling your credit report at least once every six months to look for open accounts or charges you do not recognize. Keep good records of any unauthorized access to your accounts or financial losses that occur due to the data breaches.
Ready to File a Lawsuit Against LastPass?
With a class action suit already in the works, filing a lawsuit against LastPass is easy. Just keep your eye on news about the LastPass class action lawsuit to learn when it’s entering the settlement phase. Then, watch your email or mailbox for notices asking if you’d like to join. After that, it’s just a matter of completing the paperwork as instructed.
If the situation seems to be a bit smaller than joining the class action group and filing a civil suit, you can consider small claims court. The benefit of small claims court is that lawyers aren’t required. This makes small claims less intimidating and more affordable for most Americans
With Dispute software, you can start your small claims case by generating, signing, and mailing a demand letter and small claims filing in minutes from your phone or computer. Keep reading below for more info on how to move forward.
Write a Demand Letter
A demand letter is a formal letter asking for payment. Strongly worded demand letters on professional letterhead have a better chance of reaching a settlement out of court than regular letters. At Dispute, you can generate a demand letter in minutes.
- On the top, in the address block, put in the company name and address. You can find the registered agent at the bottom of this page.
- Next, put the subject line as 'Re: Demand for Payment'
- In one sentence, tell them how much the other party owes you which you will claim in your small claims lawsuit.
- Then, in two to three sentences describe your issue.
- Finally, state in plain language that you will go to small claims court if necessary. Don't say that you will do anything else, such as speaking poorly about them.
- On the bottom, include your name and address
How to Send a Demand Letter
After you write the demand letter, you’ll want to send it to their registered agent so that it’s guaranteed to go to the legal department. Make sure that you get a tracking number for the mail you send them. It can become important evidence in your case.
Demand letters are often mailed. But if you don’t have time to find a printer, buy an envelope, and visit a post office, we can mail it for you. Send your demand letter with just a click from the comfort of your home with Dispute.
Start your Small Claims Forms
If the dealership does not pay you after receiving the demand letter, you can file a small claim to win your money back. Although this may sound complicated, small claims is actually less complicated than regular court. There are some county guidelines you’ll have to follow, but filing with Dispute can make it easier on you.
You’ll need to find and prepare your small claims form based on where you decide to sue. Usually, people sue where the defendant lives or does business.
Then, wherever you decide to sue, look up the county's small claims system. They’ll provide details on their website about what small claims forms are necessary. You can read more about the small claims process here.
Serve your Small Claims Paperwork
One of the last steps before your trial will be to physically give the small claims paperwork to the defendant. This is called “serving” the defendant. You can’t serve the defendant yourself, but you can find someone else to do it. Many people hire professional process servers. There are legal guidelines that you must follow so that your case can go to court.
Defendants may sometimes avoid service. In order to keep your court date, you should hire a professional process server so that you can be sure all legal guidelines are appropriately followed.
Attend your Small Claims Trial
On the date of your small claims trial, be sure to arrive early and well prepared. Bring at least three copies of all evidence you intend to present, and if your hearing is remote be sure to have provided copies in advance to the other party and to the court. Failure to follow the strict local guidelines can result in your case being dismissed, but if you’ve followed the rules then you can often win by default when the other party doesn’t show up.
How Much it Costs
So how much will you spend by suing in small claims court?
- Court Filing Fees: The amount you will pay to file a small claims lawsuit depends on how much you are suing for and where you are suing. You can expect to pay between $30 to $400 to file the lawsuit. If you cannot afford to pay court fees, you can ask the court to waive the fees.
- Serving Costs: Once the lawsuit is filed, you must notify the defendant that you have sued them. This is called "serving." Serving Costs can range from $20-100 depending upon the local area.
Remember, if you win, you can request that the other party pay for your court fees and serving costs.
The Benefits of Small Claims Court
- Court filing fees are cheaper in small claims than in other courts.
- The process is faster in small claims than in other courts, as your hearing will usually be scheduled 30-70 days after you file the lawsuit.
- Lawyers are generally not allowed in small claims, which helps keep the costs of suing low.
Taking the First Step in Your Lawsuit
If all of this work seems complicated or daunting, rest assured that it's easier than it initially seems. 2.7 million small claims court cases are filed annually in the US, which is only growing as more people realize how easy it is to enforce their legal rights in court.
Suing can be a complex and challenging process. It's essential to gather evidence and understand the legal process. If you believe that you have been the victim of this crime, don't hesitate to seek legal advice. By taking action, you can hold the company accountable for its actions and receive the compensation you deserve.
