Proposed Class Action Settlement Provides Cash Payments and Other Benefits to Individuals Impacted by The Merchant of Tennis Cybersecurity Incident

COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by Simpluris, Inc., court-appointed Settlement Administrator, regarding the proposed class action settlement in Victor Estrada v. The Merchant of Tennis, Inc. et al., Case No. 24STCV09656.

A proposed Settlement has been reached with The Merchant of Tennis, Inc.; U.S. Merchants Financial Group, Inc.; and U.S. Optical Merchants, Inc. in a class action lawsuit concerning a February 2024 cyberattack on Defendants' computers (the "Cybersecurity Incident"), during which files containing private information were accessed. Defendants deny that they did anything wrong, and the Court has not decided who is right. The parties agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid the risks, disruption, and uncertainties of continued litigation.

Who Is Included in the Settlement?

The Settlement Class includes individuals whose information was impacted by the Cybersecurity Incident, including employees and third-party truck drivers of Defendants.

What Benefits Are Available?

Settlement Class Members are eligible for a cash payment initially set at $45 for individuals who were California residents at the time of the Cybersecurity Incident and $15 for all other Settlement Class Members, subject to pro rata increase or decrease.

Non-Employees must submit a valid and timely Claim Form by January 27, 2027 to receive this cash payment or any other Settlement benefits. All other Settlement Class Members will receive this cash payment automatically, with no Claim Form required.

Settlement Class Members may also submit a Claim Form to seek reimbursement of up to $2,000 for documented losses and/or two years of Credit Monitoring Services. Individuals whose notice was mailed to a non-California address but who lived in California in February 2024 may also submit a Claim Form attesting to their California residency. Claims must be submitted online or postmarked by January 27, 2027.

What Are My Rights and Options?

Settlement Class Members who do not want to participate in the Settlement must request exclusion by December 28, 2026. Those who remain in the Settlement will release claims arising from the Cybersecurity Incident or the facts alleged in the complaint. Settlement Class Members who wish to object to the Settlement may file an objection by December 28, 2026.

When Will the Court Consider Final Approval?

The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on March 30, 2027 to consider whether to approve the Settlement and Class Counsel's request for attorneys' fees of up to one-third of the Settlement Fund ($228,333.33), reimbursement of costs up to $20,000, a $2,500 payment to the Plaintiff, and $53,972 for the Settlement Administrator's costs.

This press release is only a summary. For complete information about the Settlement, including the Settlement Agreement, Claim Form, deadlines, and instructions for exercising your rights, visit https://www.USMSettlement.com or call (855) 444-5824.

SOURCE Simpluris Inc.