In December 2019, Wawa, the convenience store/gas station chain, announced that it was the victim of a prolonged breach of its payment systems. Going back to March 4, 2019, the malware breach possibly affected all 850 Wawa locations nationwide. The hackers obtained access to “customers’ cardholder information, including credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates, and cardholder names on payment cards that were used at Wawa stores or fuel pumps during that time period.”
There was a class-action lawsuit filed against Wawa and there is now a settlement pending approval of the court.
Anyone who used a credit or debit card at Wawa (either at the pump or inside the store) between March 4, 2019, and December 12, 2019, is eligible to file a claim.
There are three claim categories.
Tier 1
Customers who: (a) made a credit or debit card purchase at Wawa during the Period of the Security Incident; (b) did not suffer attempted or actual fraud on their card; and (c) spent at least some time monitoring their accounts as a result of the Data Security Incident.
The proposed settlement is a $5 Wawa gift card.
Tier 2
Customers who: (a) made a credit or debit card purchase at Wawa during the Period of the Security Incident; (b) can provide reasonable proof of an actual or attempted fraudulent charge on their card after that transaction; and (c) spent at least some time monitoring their accounts as a result.
Members in this tier are eligible for a $15 Wawa gift card.
Tier 3
Customers who: (a) made a credit or debit card purchase at Wawa during the Period of the Security Incident; and (b) can provide reasonable documentary proof of money they lost or spent out-of-pocket in connection with an actual or attempted fraudulent transaction on the card that is reasonably attributable to the Data Security Incident.
Claimants in this tier can receive a cash reimbursement of up to $500.
Filing a claim
To file a claim, go to http://www.wawaconsumerdatasettlement.com/
Unlike some class-action lawsuits, this one makes you prove that you used a credit card at Wawa during the hack. Acceptable forms of proof are:
- A bank statement or credit card statement;
- A screen shot from a banking or credit card company website or mobile app;
- A Wawa receipt; or
- Any other reasonable proof that verifies the date of the transaction and the fact that it was at a Wawa store or fuel pump.
I searched my bank files and found that both Sharon and I used our cards at Wawa during the period. However, when I went to look at the statements from 2019 for Citi and AMEX, I discovered that the banks had archived them. That’s not a huge deal, but it does take 24-48 hours for the bank to add the old statements back to your online account for viewing. That’s an extra step that many people won’t bother with.
I also used my Discover card at Wawa and that statement was immediately available as a PDF download.
Making claims more difficult to file might be a good thing for those who take the time because if not enough people make claims to reach $1 million in payments, then the value of each eligible claim will be increased.
Claims have to be submitted by November 29, 2021, which isn’t much time. People affected by the data breach aren’t being contacted because there’s no way to track them down. The only way I found out about this is because I filled up my car at Wawa this morning and saw the notice on the fuel pump.
If you don’t visit a Wawa often, I guess you’re out of luck for making a claim.
I know many people might not use a Wawa at home but may have stopped at one during their travels. Many Orlando visitors fill up their rental car at the Wawa station just outside the airport. Hopefully, they didn’t make the mistake of pulling into this other nearby station and having sticker shock over the hyperinflated pricing.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
