Customers of donut giant Krispy Kreme could be eligible for payouts of up to $3,500 following a class action lawsuit over a troubling data breach. Beloved for their colourful, seasonal donuts, Krispy Kreme is now on the hook after settling a $1.6 million class action lawsuit.
The settlement comes after hackers allegedly accessed the company’s private database, potentially stealing customers’ Social Security numbers and bank account details. The cyberattack, discovered on 29 November 2024, led to a suit that alleged the company did not take cybersecurity seriously, leaving customers' data vulnerable to cybercriminals.
Thanks to the settlement, customers who experienced financial losses due to the breach may claim up to $3,500 for expenses related to fraud, identity theft or other damages. To qualify, impacted shoppers have to provide receipts, bank statements, emails or phone records showing the losses they experienced.
Customers whose information was exposed but who did not lose money may still be eligible for a cash payment of $75, but the final payout amount could change depending on how many valid claims are submitted. The deadline to submit a claim is 22 June 2026, and officials warn consumers not to apply unless they meet the settlement requirements.
Eligible customers can also snag one year of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services that will detect suspicious activity on their accounts. As part of the agreement, Krispy Kreme has also promised to strengthen its cybersecurity to better protect their customers' information in the future.
The donut chain 'denies the legal claims and denies any wrongdoing or liability,' according to the settlement website. 'The court has not made any determination of any wrongdoing by defendant, or that any law has been violated,' notes a statement from the company. Still, Krispy Kreme has agreed to pay $1.6 million to settle the claims.
The final approval hearing for the Krispy Kreme settlement is scheduled for 6 July 2026, with more information already available on the settlement website. In the meantime, fans can still purchase donuts, coffees and other sweet treats at the chain. There are over 340 Krispy Kreme locations in the US alone.
Krispy Kreme is not the only company shelling out for a class action settlement recently. Six million Americans received cash payouts thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield's $2.67 billion settlement. The years-long class action lawsuit was first filed in 2013 and accused the company of limiting competition, which led to higher premiums and fewer options for customers. Blue Cross Blue Shield denied the claims but still agreed to settle rather than continue the lawsuit. Under this agreement, a massive $2.67 billion in funds will be given out to impacted policyholders and businesses.
Meanwhile, last month Trader Joe's announced payouts of an estimated $102 per person after a class action settlement about showing too many credit card digits on customers' receipts. Millions of Capital One customers are expected to get payouts after a $425 million class action settlement with the bank.
