Advance Auto Parts data breach could pay out up to $5,200 — see if you qualify
The May 2024 breach leaked the personal information of 2.3 million employees and job applicants, and eligible individuals should have already received a data breach notification letter from the company which explains that their data was stolen and indicates whether or not they're eligible to receive funds.
The Advance Auto Parts data breach exposed the names, email addresses, mailing addresses, dates of birth, drivers license number, Social Security numbers, demographic details and other personal information from employment applications of millions of employees and applicants.
Those who have received a letter and intend to file a claim will need to do so by October 8, 2025. Additionally, they will need to include proof such as invoices, account statements or tax documents that show expenses they faced because of the breach. The maximum pay out amount is up to $5,200 and California residents may be eligible for an additional $100 under the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act).
The settlement also offers two years of credit and identity monitoring, although affected individuals can turn that down and opt instead for an alternative $100 cash payment instead. The class action lawsuit claims that Advance Auto Parts failed to put sufficient measures in place to prevent the breach. As is common with settlements of this type, the company did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to settle in order to resolve the claims. A final court hearing is scheduled for October 23, 2025.
Anyone who has been caught up in a data breach of this kind, or any other, should absolutely consider looking into one of the best identity theft protection services which can help monitor your accounts for signs of unusual activities, and send alerts if any malicious behavior is detected.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Great for Retirees: 12 States With Low Taxes and Low Cost of Living
How you retire is all about the choices you've made with your savings, investment strategies and funding your future nest egg. Of course, where you live — or more accurately, where you can afford to live — depends on more than the weather and lifestyle. Some other criteria can also affect your financial well-being, such as taxes and cost-of-living factors. Find Out: For You: First, when it comes to Social Security and taxes, not all states are created equal, and how far your benefits and fixed income will go depends on where you live. In 2025, the list of states that do not tax Social Security benefits increased. There are also several popular retirement destination states that don't have income tax. Another factor to consider is cost of living. Not all the states that are tax-friendly are equally friendly when it comes to this. The good news is, GOBankingRates has compiled a list where you don't have to choose between the two. Here are a dozen states that offer the best of both worlds for retirees who are looking to relocate — ranked by low-to-no taxes and cost of living. 1. Nevada Total population: 3,141,000 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 16.6% Median household income: $75,561 Average home value: $472,804 Total monthly cost of living: $2,756 Property tax rate: 0.49% Income tax rate: 0% Explore More: 2. Tennessee Total population: 6,986,082 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 16.8% Median household income: $67,097 Average home value: $336,770 Total monthly cost of living: $2,102 Property tax rate: 0.49% Income tax rate: 0% 3. Wyoming Total population: 579,761 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 18% Median household income: $74,815 Average home value: $362,841 Total monthly cost of living: $2,262 Property tax rate: 0.55% Income tax rate: 0% 4. Florida Total population: 21,928,881 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 21.1% Median household income: $71,711 Average home value: $407,037 Total monthly cost of living: $2,518 Property tax rate: 0.74% Income tax rate: 0% 5. Washington Total population: 7,740,984 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 16.3% Median household income: $94,952 Average home value: $626,277 Total monthly cost of living: $3,226 Property tax rate: 0.75% Income tax rate: 0% 6. Alaska Total population: 733,971 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 13.3% Median household income: $89,336 Average home value: $390,416 Total monthly cost of living: $2,798 Property tax rate: 0.91% Income tax rate: 0% 7. South Dakota Total population: 899,194 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 17.6% Median household income: $72,421 Average home value: $318,047 Total monthly cost of living: $2,211 Property tax rate: 0.99% Income tax rate: 0% Be Aware: 8. South Carolina Total population: 5,212,774 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 18.5% Median household income: $66,818 Average home value: $306,515 Total monthly cost of living: $2,083 Property tax rate: 0.47% Income tax rate: 0% to 6.2% 9. Texas Total population: 29,640,343 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 13.2% Median household income: $76,292 Average home value: $308,148 Total monthly cost of living: $2,027 Property tax rate: 1.36% Income tax rate: 0% 10. Oklahoma Total population: 3,995,260 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 16.1% Median household income: $63,603 Average home value: $218,259 Total monthly cost of living: $1,720 Property tax rate: 0.77% Income tax rate: 0.25% to 4.75% 11. Arizona Total population: 7,268,175 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 18.6% Median household income: $76,872 Average home value: $440,801 Total monthly cost of living: $2,794 Property tax rate: 0.44% Income tax rate: 2.5% 12. New Hampshire Total population: 1,387,834 Percentage of population that is retirement age (65 or older): 19.5% Median household income: $95,628 Average home value: $525,367 Total monthly cost of living: $2,861 Property tax rate: 1.41% Income tax rate: 0% Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed U.S. states to find the states with low taxes and low cost of living that retirees should target. For each state, a number of factors were found, including total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and household median income, all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for July 17th, 2025. Using the average single-family home value, assuming a 10% down payment and using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces and include grocery, healthcare and utilities. Using the cost-of-living indexes and the national average expenditure costs for retired households, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for retired consumer units, the average expenditure cost for each location can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the average total monthly and annual cost of living can be calculated. States that tax Social Security Income was sourced from Fidelity's Social Security Tax by State. The state income tax range and property taxes by state were sourced from the Tax Foundation. The low end of the state income tax rate, the high end of the state income tax rate, and the property tax rate were all scored and weighted at 1.00. The states that tax Social Security income were scored 0 and the states that do not tax Social Security income were scored at 0.250. The scores were summed and sorted to show the states with low taxes and low cost of living that retirees should consider. All data was collected on and is up to date as of July 17th, 2025. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance (And 2 Reasons They Should) Are You Rich or Middle Class? 8 Ways To Tell That Go Beyond Your Paycheck This article originally appeared on Great for Retirees: 12 States With Low Taxes and Low Cost of Living Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Social Security: How Much the Average Middle Class Retiree Receives in Benefits at Age 80
While many people dream of a relaxing retirement, the reality is that many Americans struggle financially during their senior years. Overall, nearly two-thirds of Americans worry more about running out of money than death, according to an Allianz Life survey. Of these concerns, 43% cite worries about Social Security not providing sufficient support. Read Now: Find Out: On average, an 80-year-old receives $2,006.20 per month in Social Security retirement benefits, according to Social Security Administration (SSA) data, as of December 2024. In comparison, the average at any age from 62 and up equals $1,975.34. For men at age 80, the average number is a bit higher, equaling $2,206.47 versus $1,815.90 for women of the same age, which in part reflects differences in income during their working years. Receiving those average amounts isn't enough for many retirees to live comfortably. The median senior spends an estimated $2,000-$4,000 per month on living expenses, according to a survey by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL). So, while a Social Security check might roughly cover that amount, particularly for those with a partner to combine Social Security benefits with, that often only covers the basics. When you add in medical expenses that can quickly rack up later in life, plus things like home repairs, it can be tough to make ends meet. Indeed, the National Council on Aging found that 80% of older adults in the U.S. are currently or at risk of financially struggling. Not to mention, if you want to move past treading water and actually soak up your golden years, the average 80-year-old needs more income sources than just Social Security benefits. Discover Next: Given that the average Social Security benefits for an 80-year-old, or at any age for that matter, are often not enough to fully support a comfortable retirement, it's important to make a financial plan that accounts for factors such as your retirement savings, non-retirement savings, and any income you might be able to earn while working a bit in retirement, compared against your expected expenses, such as for housing, utilities, transportation, groceries, healthcare, and some general fun money. Making this plan also likely involves considerations such as where in the world you want to live during retirement and how you want to spend your time. In doing so, you can get a clearer picture of how much retirement income you need to support a fulfilling lifestyle, which then affects decisions such as when to file for Social Security — since benefits increase if you wait til age 70 — as well as how to draw down your retirement savings. 'The advice that I would offer the average retiree is to have a solid understanding of their entire financial picture,' said Urban Adams, wealth manager at Dynamic Wealth Advisors. 'In other words, they should understand their other income sources, expenses, etc., when deciding when to file for benefits. Without this broader view, it is possible to unintentionally make a misstep — something we all want to avoid.' More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks This article originally appeared on Social Security: How Much the Average Middle Class Retiree Receives in Benefits at Age 80
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
This Is Exactly When You'll Find Out Your 2026 Social Security COLA
Key Points Cost of living adjustments help prevent Social Security benefits from losing their buying power over time. Retirees are on track to receive a COLA in 2026, though it may not be as large as they hope. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › For retirees who collect Social Security, the announcement of the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) is a big deal. Social Security benefits are an important income source for millions of Americans, and the government announces a COLA -- a benefits increase -- most years to help benefits retain their buying power even as prices increase due to inflation. So, when will the Social Security Administration (SSA) announce how large of a raise seniors are on track for in 2026? Here's what you need to know. This is when the 2026 cost of living adjustment will be announced For retirees eager to find out how big their benefit increase is going to be in 2026, you'll have to be patient. The Social Security does not announce how big the COLA will be until mid-October. There is a reason why October is the key month. The cost of living adjustment is based on year-over-year changes to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures the costs of a specific basket of goods and services. The SSA calculates the COLA by taking into account third-quarter CPI-W data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The third quarter includes the months of July, August, and September. When September's CPI-W data becomes available in October, the SSA will compare the third-quarter average to the same period a year ago. Any year-over-year increase becomes the COLA. For example, if the data shows that prices have gone up an average of 2.5% over the course of those three months, then retirees would be in line for a 2.5% raise. There are estimates out already for seniors eager to know what the 2026 COLA will be It may be frustrating to find out that it's going to be several more months until you know how big your benefits increase will be, especially if you are counting on Social Security to help you cover the essentials. You may be feeling the pinch right now and want to know if you'll have more breathing room in your budget next year. The good news is estimates already exist to give you some insight into how big of a benefits bump is likely coming. Data from the first six months of the year can indicate how inflation is trending. Based on currently available data, the Senior Citizens League (a senior advocacy group) is predicting a 2.6% COLA for 2026. This prediction has been trending upward, as the group previously expected a 2.5% COLA. While these projections can change, retirees at least have something to go on as they estimate what their budget will look like next year. The official COLA for 2026 will come out on Oct. 15. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Join Stock Advisor to learn more about these Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This Is Exactly When You'll Find Out Your 2026 Social Security COLA was originally published by The Motley Fool
