Attention: All Associates

To All Associates Impacted By The 2016 W-2 Phishing Incident:
 
As you may be aware, in 2016, a class action was filed against Essex following a "phishing" incident that occurred where an unknown person fraudulently induced an Essex employee to email some employees' personally identifiable information outside the company.  Essex responded immediately upon learning of the incident, including by providing credit monitoring and identity protection services free of charge to those whose information had been emailed.  Essex has carefully reviewed its policies and practices and strongly denies any allegations of intentional wrong-doing. Although the Court has not ruled on the merits of the case, Essex has made a business decision to settle this lawsuit. 
 
 The Court has approved the settlement between the parties and, for those Class Members who did not opt out of the settlement, on June 13th, a third-party settlement administrator mailed out a settlement payment (in the form of a check) and a notice of availability of identity theft protection and information on how to enroll in free identity and credit protection services through Equifax.

The Court appointed lawyers for the Class Members.  Therefore, if you have questions about the settlement, please carefully review the settlement notice you will be receiving in the mail.  You can also review the settlement website at www.girouxsettlement.com, and contact the settlement administrator and lawyers who will be identified in the notice and on the website. 

If you have further questions, we ask that you direct them to Brigitte Hurney, Director of Human Resources, at (949) 863-4239 or bhurney@essex.com.