In a dramatic legal move, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Tecta America Corp., accusing the company of failing to protect sensitive personal information. The complaint was lodged by Michael Apicello on February 12, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Apicello, representing himself and others similarly affected, claims that Tecta America Corp.'s negligence led to a significant data breach compromising personal identifiable information (PII).
The case centers around an incident that occurred between September 20 and October 2, 2024, when unauthorized access to Tecta's systems was discovered. According to the filing, this breach potentially exposed sensitive data such as Social Security numbers and financial account details. Despite Tecta’s privacy policy assurances of safeguarding customer information, Apicello alleges that the company failed to adhere to commonly accepted security standards. The plaintiff contends that these failures allowed hackers to infiltrate their systems undetected for weeks and delayed notification to affected individuals until January 2, 2025.
Apicello's complaint outlines the emotional distress and financial damage suffered due to the breach. He recounts unauthorized credit pulls impacting his credit score and leading to a denied bank loan necessary for purchasing a home. The suit highlights the broader implications for all class members who now face increased risks of identity theft and fraud. "Defendant's conduct was negligent," asserts the complaint, pointing out that Tecta did not take adequate measures despite being aware of similar breaches affecting other companies.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages exceeding $5 million alongside punitive damages and attorney fees. They demand that Tecta provide long-term credit monitoring services beyond what has been offered so far—two years—and seek injunctive relief requiring Tecta to improve its data security practices significantly.
Representing Apicello is Gary M. Klinger from Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC among other notable attorneys like Charles E. Schaffer from Levin Sedran & Berman LLP. The case ID is 1:25-cv-01478.