Frequently Asked Questions

Basic Information

1. How do I know if I am affected by the Lawsuit and Settlement?

You are a Settlement Class Member if you reside in the United States and were sent written notification by Dufresne Spencer Group that indicated your Private Information was potentially accessed, viewed, and/or obtained as a result of the Data Incident that occurred between May 15, 2023, and June 5, 2023.

The Settlement Class specifically excludes: (i) Dufresne, the Related Entities, and their officers and directors; (ii) all Settlement Class Members who timely and validly request exclusion from the Settlement Class; (iii) any judges assigned to this case and their staff and family; and (iv) any other Person found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be guilty under criminal law of initiating, causing, aiding or abetting the criminal activity occurrence of the Data Incident or who pleads nolo contendere to any such charge. The Notice explains the nature of the Lawsuit and claims being settled, your legal rights, and the benefits to the Settlement Class.

2. What is this case about?

This case is known as Rosalyn Parker v. The Dufresne Spencer Group LLC d/b/a Ashley Furniture Home Store, Case No. 4:24-cv-02202, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. The individual who sued is called the “Plaintiff” and the company she sued, Dufresne Spencer Group (“Dufresne”), is known as the “Defendant” in this case. Dufresne will be called “Defendant” in the Notice.

Plaintiff filed a lawsuit against Defendant, individually, and on behalf of anyone whose Private Information was potentially impacted as a result of the Data Incident.

This Lawsuit arises out of unauthorized access to Dufresne’s systems and certain files containing sensitive and/or personal information about Dufresne’s employees and customers including, but not limited to, name, contact information, banking information (account and routing number) submitted for expense reimbursement, date of birth, SSN/ITIN, driver’s license, passport, digital signature, payment card number, payment card CVV, military identification, permanent resident card, medical diagnosis, medical treatment, voting identification, and foreign identification (“Private Information”), which occurred between May 15, 2023 and June 5, 2023 (“Data Incident”). After learning of the Data Incident, notification was mailed to persons whose Private Information may have been impacted by the Data Incident. Subsequently, this Lawsuit was filed asserting claims against Dufresne relating to the Data Incident. Dufresne denies Plaintiff’s claims and denies any wrongdoing.

3. Why is there a Settlement?

By agreeing to settle, both sides avoid the cost, disruption, and distraction of further litigation. The Class Representative, Defendant, and their attorneys believe the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate and, thus, in the best interest of the Settlement Class Members. The Court did not decide in favor of the Plaintiff or Defendant. Full details about the proposed Settlement are found in the Settlement Agreement available here.

4. Why is this a class action?

In a class action, one or more people called “Class Representatives” sue on behalf of all people who have similar claims. All of these people together are the “Settlement Class” or “Settlement Class Members.”

5. How do I know if I am included in the Settlement?

You are a Settlement Class Member if you reside in the United States and were sent written notification by Dufresne Spencer Group that your Private Information was potentially accessed, viewed, and/or obtained as a result of the Data Incident that occurred between May 15, 2023, and June 5, 2023. If you are not sure whether you are included as a Settlement Class Member, or have any other questions about the Settlement, call toll free (833) 647-8941, or write to DSG Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 25226 Santa Ana, CA 92799.

The Settlement Benefits

6. What does this Settlement provide?

The proposed Settlement will provide the following benefits to Settlement Class Members:

Reimbursement for Documented Out-of-Pocket Losses: All Settlement Class Members who submit a Valid Claim using the Claim Form are eligible for reimbursement of the following documented out-of-pocket expenses, not to exceed $500.00 per Settlement Class Member, that were incurred as a result of the Data Incident: (i) unreimbursed bank fees; (ii) long distance phone charges; (iii) cell phone charges (only if charged by the minute); (iv) data charges (only if charged based on the amount of data used); (v) postage; (vi) gasoline for local travel; and (vii) fees for credit reports, credit monitoring, or other identity theft insurance products purchased by Settlement Class Members between May 15, 2023, and March 19, 2026. To receive reimbursement for any of the above-referenced out-of-pocket expenses, Settlement Class Members must submit a valid and timely Claim Form, including necessary supporting documentation, to the Claims Administrator.

Reimbursement for Attested Lost Time: Settlement Class Members are also eligible to receive reimbursement for up to four (4) hours of lost time spent dealing with the Data Incident (calculated at the rate of $20.00 per hour) (for a total of up to $80.00), but only if at least one (1) full hour was spent dealing with the Data Incident. Settlement Class Members may receive reimbursement for lost time if the Settlement Class Member (i) attests that any claimed lost time was spent responding to issues raised by the Data Incident; and (ii) provides a checkbox style description, or written description if no checkbox is applicable, of how the claimed lost time was spent related to the Data Incident. Claims made for lost time can be combined with reimbursement for the above-referenced out-of-pocket expenses and are subject to the same $500.00 cap for each Settlement Class Member.

Reimbursement for Documented Extraordinary Losses: Settlement Class Members are also eligible to receive reimbursement for extraordinary losses, not to exceed $2,500.00 per Settlement Class Member, for documented monetary loss that: (i) is actual, documented, and unreimbursed; (ii) was more likely than not caused by the Data Incident; (iii) occurred between May 15, 2023, and the Claims Deadline; and (iv) is not already covered by any of the above-referenced documented out-of-pocket expenses or lost time reimbursement categories. Settlement Class Members must also provide documentation that he or she made reasonable efforts to avoid, or seek reimbursement for, the loss, including but not limited to exhaustion of all available credit monitoring insurance and identity theft insurance.

Alternative Cash Payment: In lieu of submitting a claim for Attested Lost Time, Documented Extraordinary Losses, or Documented Out-of-Pocket Losses, Settlement Class Members may submit a claim for a cash payment of $45.00. This Alternative Cash Payment may be combined with a request for Credit Monitoring. Settlement Class Members electing the Alternative Cash Payment are NOT eligible to claim reimbursement for Attested Lost Time, Documented Extraordinary Losses, or Documented Out-of-Pocket Losses.

Credit Monitoring: If you would like to receive two years of credit monitoring, you may do so before the Claims Deadline on March 19, 2026, by selecting the credit monitoring option on the Claim Form, which will provide two (2) years of credit monitoring.

Information Security Improvements: Dufresne will implement or maintain various data security improvements. Any costs associated with these security improvements will be paid by Dufresne separate and apart from other Settlement Benefits.

7. How to submit a claim?

All claims will be reviewed by the Claims Administrator and/or a claims referee. You must file a Claim Form to get any money from the proposed Settlement. Claim Forms must be submitted online by March 19, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. EST or postmarked no later than March 19, 2026. You can download a Claim Form here or you can call the Claims Administrator at (833) 647-8941. The Unique ID and PIN that were printed on the Notice you received will be required to submit a paper Claim Form by mail or a Claim Form online.

8. What am I giving up as part of the Settlement?

If you stay in the Settlement Class, you will be eligible to receive benefits, but you will not be able to sue Dufresne and its Related Entities and each of their past or present parents, subsidiaries, divisions, and related or affiliated entities, and each of their respective predecessors, successors, directors, officers, principals, agents, attorneys, insurers, and reinsurers regarding the claims in this case. The Settlement Agreement, which includes all provisions about settled claims, releases, and Released Persons, is available here.

The only way to keep the right to sue is to exclude yourself (see Question 10), otherwise you will be included in the Settlement Class, if the Settlement is approved, and you give up the right to sue for the claims in this case.

9. Will the Class Representative receive compensation?

Yes. The Class Representative will receive a service award of up to $2,500.00 to compensate her for her services and efforts in bringing the Lawsuit. The Court will make the final decision as to the amount, if any, of the service award to be paid to the Class Representative.

Exclude Yourself

10. How do I exclude myself from the Settlement?

If you do not want to be included in the Settlement, you must send a timely written request for exclusion. Your request for exclusion must be individually signed by you. Your request must clearly manifest your intent to be excluded from the Settlement.

Your written request for exclusion must be postmarked no later than February 17, 2026, to:

DSG Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799

If you exclude yourself, you will not be able to receive any cash benefits from the Settlement and you cannot object to the Settlement. You will not be legally bound by anything that happens in this Lawsuit and you will keep your right to sue the Defendant on your own for the claims that this Settlement resolves.

11. If I do not exclude myself, can I sue later?

No. If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement, and the Settlement is approved by the Court, you forever give up the right to sue the Released Persons (listed in Question 8) for the claims this Settlement resolves.

12. What happens if I do nothing at all?

If you do nothing, you will be bound by the Settlement if the Court approves it, you will not get any money from the Settlement, you will not be able to start or proceed with a Lawsuit, or be part of any other Lawsuit against the Released Persons (listed in Question 8) about the settled claims in this case at any time.

The Lawyers Representing You

13. Do I have a lawyer in the case?

Yes. The Court has appointed Abbas Kazerounian and Mona Amini of the law firm Kazerouni Law Group, APC (called “Class Counsel”) to represent the interests of all Settlement Class Members in this case. You will not be charged for these lawyers. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense.

14. How will the lawyers be paid?

Class Counsel will apply to the Court for an award of attorneys’ fees, costs, and litigation expenses in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00. A copy of Class Counsel’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees, Costs, and Expenses will be posted on this website, before the Final Fairness Hearing. The Court will make the final decisions as to the amounts to be paid to Class Counsel and may award less than the amount requested by Class Counsel.

Objecting to the Settlement

15. How do I tell the Court that I do not like the Settlement?

If you want to tell the Court that you do not agree with the proposed Settlement or some part of it, you can submit an objection telling it why you do not think the Settlement should be approved. Objections must be submitted in writing and include all the following information:

Such notice shall state:

1. the objector’s full name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address (if any);

2. information identifying the objector as a Settlement Class Member, including proof that the objector is a member of the Settlement Class (e.g., copy of notice, copy of original notice of the Data Incident);

3. a written statement of all grounds for the objection, accompanied by any legal support for the objection the objector believes applicable;

4. the identity of any and all counsel representing the objector in connection with the objection;

5. a statement whether the objector and/or his or her counsel will appear at the Final Fairness Hearing;

6. the objector’s signature and the signature of the objector’s duly authorized attorney or other duly authorized representative (along with documentation setting forth such representation); and

7. a list, by case name, court, and docket number, of all other cases in which the objector and/or the objector’s counsel has filed an objection to any proposed class action settlement within the last three (3) years.

Your Objection must include the case name and docket number, Rosalyn Parker v. The Dufresne Spencer Group LLC d/b/a Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Case No. 4:24-cv-02202 (the “Dufresne Lawsuit”), and be submitted to the Clerk of the Court by First-Class mail, received no later than February 17, 2026, to:

Bob Casey United States Courthouse
515 Rusk Avenue
Houston, TX 77002

In addition, you must mail a copy of your objection to Class Counsel and Defense Counsel, postmarked no later than February 17, 2026:

If you do not submit your objection with all requirements, or if your objection is not received by February 17, 2026, you will be considered to have waived all Objections to the Settlement.

16. What is the difference between objecting and asking to be excluded?

Objecting is simply telling the Court that you don’t like something about the Settlement. You can object only if you stay in the Settlement Class. Excluding yourself is telling the Court that you don’t want to be part of the Settlement Class. If you exclude yourself from the Settlement, you have no basis to object because the Settlement no longer affects you.

The Final Fairness Hearing

17. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the Settlement?

The Court will hold the Final Fairness Hearing at 2:00 p.m. CT on March 4, 2026, via video conference. The hearing may be moved to a different date, time, or location without additional notice, so it is recommended that you periodically check this website for updated information.

At the hearing, the Court will consider whether the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, adequate, and is in the best interests of Settlement Class Members, and if it should be approved. If there are valid objections, the Court will consider them and will listen to people who have asked to speak at the hearing if the request was made properly. The Court will also consider the award of Attorneys’ Fees, Costs, and Expenses to Class Counsel and the request for a service award to the Class Representative.

18. Do I have to come to the hearing?

No. You are not required to attend the Final Fairness Hearing. However, you are welcome to attend the hearing at your own expense.

If you submit an Objection, you do not have to come to the hearing to talk about it. If your objection was submitted properly and on time, the Court will consider it. You also may pay your own lawyer to attend the Final Fairness Hearing, but that is not necessary.

19. May I speak at the hearing?

Yes. You can speak at the Final Fairness Hearing, but you must ask the Court for permission. To request permission to speak, you must file an objection according to the instructions in Question 15, including all the information required. If you exclude yourself from the Settlement, you have no basis to object because the Settlement no longer affects you.

Do Nothing

20. What happens if I do nothing?

If you do nothing, you will not get any money from the Settlement, you will not be able to sue for the claims in this case, and you release the claims against Defendant described in Question 8.

Get More Information

21. How do I get more information about the Settlement?

This is only a summary of the proposed Settlement. If you want additional information about this Lawsuit, including a copy of the Settlement Agreement, the Complaint, the Court’s Preliminary Approval Order, Class Counsel’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses, and more, please visit the Important Documents page of this website. You may also contact the Settlement Administrator at P.O. Box 25226 Santa Ana, CA 92799.

Please do not address any questions about the Settlement or litigation to the Clerk of the Court, the Judge, Defendant, or Defendant’s counsel.