Bauer Built Tire & Service Data Breach Settlement, $45 Cash or Up to $5,500 Plus Credit Monitoring

People who received a data breach notice from Bauer Built Inc., doing business as Bauer Built Tire & Service, may qualify for benefits under a proposed class action settlement over an April 2023 cyberattack.

Eligible class members can choose one of two financial options, and add two years of credit monitoring to either:

• Option 1: documented losses of up to $500 (out-of-pocket expenses and lost time combined) plus up to $5,000 for documented fraud or identity theft losses.
• Option 2: a one-time $45 payment with no documentation.

You must file a valid claim. Payments are not automatic. Claim deadline: December 31, 2026. The online form requires the LoginID and PIN printed on your settlement notice.

Official settlement website: BauerSecurityIncident.com Online claim form: File your claim

The lawsuit alleges an unauthorized person accessed files on Bauer Built’s systems between April 16 and April 21, 2023. The case is Anderson v. Bauer Built Inc. d/b/a Bauer Built Tire & Service, No. 2026CH05015, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Chancery Division. The court has authorized notice, but final approval is pending, with a hearing on January 27, 2027.

Bauer Built Data Breach Settlement: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Company	Bauer Built Inc. d/b/a Bauer Built Tire & Service
Case	Anderson v. Bauer Built Inc.
Case number	2026CH05015
Court	Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Chancery Division
Class representative	Jordan Anderson
Data incident	April 16 to 21, 2023
Information potentially involved	Names, Social Security numbers, government IDs, driver’s license and state ID numbers, financial account numbers
Who is covered	U.S. residents sent a breach notice by or on behalf of Bauer Built
Official settlement website	BauerSecurityIncident.com
Official claim form	Online claim portal (LoginID and PIN required)
Option 2: alternative cash payment	$45, no documentation
Option 1: out-of-pocket expenses	Up to $500 with documentation
Option 1: lost time	Up to $100 (4 hours at $25), counted within the $500 cap
Option 1: fraud or identity theft	Up to $5,000 with documentation
Credit monitoring	Two years, three bureaus, $1 million identity theft protection
Claim form required?	Yes
Claim deadline	December 31, 2026
Opt-out / objection deadline	December 1, 2026
Final approval hearing	January 27, 2027, 11:00 a.m. CT
Administrator	Simpluris
Phone / email	(888) 226-9511 / [email protected]
Class counsel	Cassandra P. Miller, Strauss Borrelli PLLC
Final approval	Pending

Simple Claim Checklist

• [ ] I received a breach notice from Bauer Built (or on its behalf) about the April 2023 incident.
• [ ] I live in the United States.
• [ ] I have my notice with the LoginID and PIN (or I have emailed the administrator for them).
• [ ] I chose Option 1 (documented losses) or Option 2 ($45), not both.
• [ ] If Option 1: I have receipts for expenses, bank statements for fraud losses, and a short description of any lost time.
• [ ] I decided whether to add the free two-year credit monitoring (available with either option).
• [ ] I will file online, by email, or by mail postmarked by December 31, 2026.
• [ ] If I want to opt out or object, I will act by December 1, 2026, which is earlier than the claim deadline.

Who Qualifies?

The settlement covers all individuals residing in the United States who were sent notice by or on behalf of Bauer Built Inc. that their personal information was potentially affected by the April 2023 data security incident. Membership is determined from Bauer Built’s records of who was sent a notice.

You do not qualify merely because you bought tires, used the company’s services, worked there or believe your information was in its systems. You must fall within the notice-based definition.

Do you have to live in Wisconsin or Illinois?

No. The class is nationwide. The case is in an Illinois court, but a resident of any state may qualify if Bauer Built sent them a notice.

Are customers and employees eligible?

Potentially, yes, if they received a qualifying notice. The class is not limited to customers. The original lawsuit was filed by Jordan Anderson, a former Bauer Built employee.

What if I think I was affected but got no notice?

Contact the administrator at (888) 226-9511 or [email protected] and ask whether Bauer Built’s records identify you. Submitting a claim does not make you eligible if the company’s records do not include you.

Who is excluded?

• The judge, and the judge’s family and staff
• Bauer Built’s officers and directors
• People who validly opt out
• Anyone involved in carrying out the security incident

What Information Was Involved?

The notice says files accessed in the April 16 to 21, 2023 cyberattack may have contained full names, Social Security numbers, government identification numbers, driver’s license numbers, state identification numbers or financial account numbers. That does not mean every class member had every category exposed. If your Social Security number or financial account information may have been involved, monitor your bank and credit accounts closely.

What Is the Lawsuit About?

Jordan Anderson filed the original lawsuit in federal court in Wisconsin in 2024. It alleged that cybercriminals accessed files containing personal information of Bauer Built customers and employees, that the company’s security was inadequate, and that affected people face risks of identity theft and fraud. Bauer Built denies wrongdoing, and the court has not decided who is right.

Why is the case now in Cook County?

An earlier attempt to get preliminary approval in federal court did not succeed at that stage. On January 29, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin denied the pending motion for class certification and preliminary approval without prejudice. The judge asked for more explanation on issues including the clarity of the class definition, the amount in controversy, how payments were calculated and the reasonableness of the attorney-fee request. The judge also questioned whether people whose information was affected but who were not notified were included.

The current Cook County settlement uses a more specific, notice-based class definition. That makes it different from the earlier federal proposal.

Related article: Valnet $2M Content Creator Settlement, Who Qualifies and How Payments Work

How Much Can You Get?

Choose Option 1 or Option 2. Credit monitoring is available with either.

Option 1: documented losses (up to $5,500)

Benefit	Maximum	Documentation
Out-of-pocket expenses	$500	Receipts or other proof
Lost time	$100 (counts toward the $500)	Short description, no documents
Fraud or identity theft losses	$5,000	Bank statements or other proof

You can claim one or more of these. Lost time is included within the $500 cap, so you cannot claim $500 in expenses plus $100 for time. The $5,000 fraud category is separate, so the combined maximum is $5,500. These are caps, not guaranteed payments.

Out-of-pocket expenses are documented costs caused by the incident, such as fees for credit reports or credit monitoring, or the cost of replacing identification documents. Receipts are required. Notes alone are not enough.

Lost time is up to 4 hours at $25 per hour. Describe what you did, such as contacting banks, checking accounts or replacing IDs. No receipts are needed.

Hours	Payment
1	$25
2	$50
3	$75
4	$100

Fraud or identity theft losses must meet all of these conditions:

1. The loss occurred after April 16, 2023.
2. It is supported by documentation, such as bank statements showing the amount lost and not recovered.
3. It was likely caused by the Bauer Built security incident.
4. You made reasonable efforts to avoid or recover the loss.

Smaller charges and fees belong in the out-of-pocket category. Having your Social Security number exposed does not by itself entitle you to $5,000. You need an actual, documented loss.

Option 2: $45 alternative cash payment

A one-time $45 payment, with no receipts or bank statements. If you choose it, you cannot also claim Option 1 benefits, but you can still claim credit monitoring.

Can you get $45 and the $5,000 reimbursement?

No. You must pick one option.

Credit monitoring

Class members can claim two years of credit monitoring from all three major bureaus, including $1 million in identity theft protection. It is available with either option. An enrollment code is emailed to claimants, and it does not start automatically just because you received a notice.

Who pays the fees?

Class Counsel will request $125,000 in attorneys’ fees and a $2,500 service award for the class representative. Both are paid by Bauer Built, subject to court approval, and are described as separate from the benefits above. The official settlement pages describe specific benefits and caps, not one fund divided among claimants.

How to File a Claim

You must submit a valid Claim Form by December 31, 2026.

Step 1: Find your notice

Locate the notice with your LoginID and PIN at the top. If you lost it, email [email protected] with your full name and mailing address to request them.

Step 2: Choose your option

Option 1 (documented losses and lost time) or Option 2 ($45), plus credit monitoring if you want it.

Step 3: Gather documents (Option 1 only)

Collect receipts for expenses, bank statements for fraud losses, a short note on how the loss connects to the incident and what you did to avoid or recover it, and a brief description of any lost time.

Step 4: Complete the form

File through the official online claim portal with your LoginID and PIN. You can also download the form from the website.

Step 5: Submit

• Online: by December 31, 2026
• Email: completed form and documents to [email protected] by December 31, 2026
• Mail: postmarked by December 31, 2026, to:

Bauer Security Incident Settlement c/o Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 25226 Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

Key Dates

Event	Date
Data incident	April 16 to 21, 2023
Federal approval motion denied without prejudice	January 29, 2026
Opt-out and objection deadline	December 1, 2026
Claim deadline	December 31, 2026
Final approval hearing	January 27, 2027, 11:00 a.m. CT

The claim deadline comes after the opt-out and objection deadline, so anyone who wants to exclude themselves must act by December 1, not December 31. The hearing is before Judge Lynn Weaver-Boyle and is scheduled by Zoom. You do not need to attend, and dates can change, so check the official website.

When will payments arrive?

No payment date has been announced. Payments are distributed only after final approval and the resolution of any appeals.

Your Options and What Happens If You Do Nothing

Option	Result	Deadline
File a claim	Receive benefits and release claims against Bauer Built related to the incident	Dec. 31, 2026
Opt out	No benefits; you keep the right to sue on your own	Dec. 1, 2026
Object	Tell the court you think the settlement is unfair; you can still file a claim	Dec. 1, 2026
Do nothing	No $45, no reimbursement, no credit monitoring, and you are still bound by the release if the settlement is approved	None

Doing nothing is not the same as opting out.

How to opt out

Send a signed Request for Exclusion by December 1, 2026, including the case name (Anderson v. Bauer Built Inc. d/b/a Bauer Built Tire & Service), case number 2026CH05015, your full name, mailing address, signature and a clear statement that you want to be excluded. Mail it to Bauer Security Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958. The official FAQ also allows an emailed request by the same deadline. Each person must submit their own request. If you opt out, you cannot object.

How to object

File a written objection with the Clerk of the Court, Circuit Court of Cook County, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602, and send a copy to the settlement administrator, by December 1, 2026. Include the case name and number, your name and address, the reasons for your objection with any legal support, information about any attorney representing you, whether you plan to appear, a list of prior objections if any, and your signature. You may object and still submit a claim.

Did Bauer Built Admit Wrongdoing?

No. Bauer Built denies wrongdoing and liability, and the court has not decided which side is right. The parties settled to avoid the cost, risk and uncertainty of continued litigation. The settlement is not a final finding that Bauer Built violated data-security laws. The public settlement pages do not describe specific security upgrades, so do not treat the settlement as proof that any new safeguard has been installed.

Beware of Settlement Scams

Use only BauerSecurityIncident.com and the contact details in this article. You do not have to pay anyone to file a claim, and the administrator will not ask you for your full Social Security number or banking passwords to submit one. Be careful with unexpected calls, texts or emails offering to “release” your payment for a fee.

Related Data Breach Cases on AllAboutLawyer

You may also want to read about the Prosper data breach lawsuit affecting 17.6 million people, the First Chatham Bank data breach settlement, and the Citizens Bank data breach class action. These involve different companies, incidents and terms, and their deadlines do not apply to the Bauer Built settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bauer Built data breach settlement real?

Yes. It is pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, as Anderson v. Bauer Built Inc., No. 2026CH05015, with a court-authorized settlement website.

How much can I get?

You can take $45, or claim documented losses under Option 1: up to $500 combined for out-of-pocket expenses and lost time, plus up to $5,000 for qualifying fraud or identity theft losses. Credit monitoring is available with either.

Can I get $5,500?

Only if you qualify for the full $500 and separately document up to $5,000 in qualifying fraud or identity theft losses. It is a maximum, not a guarantee.

Is the $45 payment automatic?

No. You must file a valid, timely claim. The $45 option needs no receipts, but the claim is mandatory.

Who qualifies?

U.S. residents who were sent a notice by or on behalf of Bauer Built that their information was potentially affected by the April 2023 incident. Bauer Built’s notice records determine membership.

Can I get the $45 and credit monitoring?

Yes. The two-year, three-bureau credit monitoring with $1 million in identity theft protection can be combined with either option.

Do I need a LoginID and PIN?

For the online form, yes. They are printed on your notice. If you cannot find them, email the administrator with your full name and mailing address.

What are the deadlines?

Opt out or object by December 1, 2026. Claim by December 31, 2026.

When is the final approval hearing?

January 27, 2027, at 11:00 a.m. Central Time, before Judge Lynn Weaver-Boyle, by Zoom.

What if I do nothing?

You get no benefits and, if the settlement is approved, you are still bound by the release.

Are settlement payments taxable?

It depends on your situation. AllAboutLawyer.com does not give tax advice, so consult a qualified tax professional.

Does the settlement cover everyone who ever used Bauer Built?

No. Only people sent a breach notice by or on behalf of the company.

How to Contact the Administrator

The settlement administrator is Simpluris.

• Website: BauerSecurityIncident.com
• Phone: (888) 226-9511
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: Bauer Security Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

The administrator can help with eligibility questions, missing LoginID and PIN information, claim forms and payment questions.

Sources

1. Official settlement website: https://bauersecurityincident.com/
2. Official FAQ: https://bauersecurityincident.com/faq/
3. Online claim form: https://bauersecurityincident.com/form/claim
4. Official important dates page: https://bauersecurityincident.com/dates/
5. Official settlement documents page: https://bauersecurityincident.com/documents/
6. Anderson v. Bauer Built Inc., No. 3:24-cv-00200 (W.D. Wis. Jan. 29, 2026) (opinion denying motion for class certification and preliminary approval without prejudice): https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/wisconsin/wiwdc/3%3A2024cv00200/52426/25/

Verification note: The current Cook County settlement website and official FAQ were reviewed for the class definition, benefit categories, documentation rules, deadlines and hearing information. The earlier federal opinion concerns a prior approval attempt, not the current Cook County proceeding. The $5,500 figure is the maximum possible combination of documented reimbursements, not a guaranteed payment. Bauer Built denies wrongdoing, and final approval remains pending.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, Legal Content Researcher. AllAboutLawyer.com is an independent U.S. consumer legal information website, not a law firm. This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The lawsuit’s allegations are disputed and have not been established by a final court judgment.