Settlement FAQs

is equifax breach settlement website real

by Lorenz Haley Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Yes, the Equifax Data Breach Settlement email and website are real. WHAT WE FOUND Although the Federal Trade Commission (FTC

Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act. Its principal mission is the promotion of consumer protection and the elimination and prevention of anticompetitive bu…

) has previously warned of people attempting to scam Equifax cyberattack victims, EquifaxBreachSettlement.com is a real website and the email Dan received is legitimate, an FTC spokesperson confirmed to VERIFY.

This email is legitimate.
"You are receiving free membership in Experian IdentityWorks for four years. You must enroll by June 27, 2022." This e-mail will come from [email protected]. Scammers will likely try to copy this email, so pay attention to this.
Feb 14, 2022

Full Answer

What you should know about the Equifax breach settlement?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a consumer alert regarding the Equifax Data Breach. In September 2017, Equifax announced a data breach, which affected the personal information of 147 million people. Under a recent settlement filed, Equifax agreed to spend up to $425 million to help people affected by the data breach.

How to tell if you're affected by the Equifax breach?

First, visit a website Equifax set up related to the breach and click on the Check Potential Impact tab. From there, submit your last name and last six digits of your Social Security number. According to the site, you will then receive a message indicating if you've been affected.

What to do after the Equifax breach?

  • Work to help consumers (you can offer credit monitoring or other services)
  • Increase your cybersecurity measures to prevent future attacks
  • Show your customers how you are improving security through open communication and a commitment to transparency

Should you freeze your credit after the Equifax data breach?

Whether you could benefit from a credit freeze after a data breach depends on what information was compromised. If only your credit card information was stolen, getting a replacement card should reduce your exposure to fraud. But when identifying information is accessed, like your Social Security number, a credit freeze could be a smart move.

See more

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Did Equifax pay settlements?

The company has agreed to a global settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and 50 U.S. states and territories. The settlement includes up to $425 million to help people affected by the data breach.”

Has anyone received money from Equifax?

After a data breach in 2017 exposed personal data of more than 147 million consumers, including in some cases Social Security and driver's license numbers, credit bureau Equifax agreed to pay hundreds of millions in compensation to help affected consumers.

How do I know if I get Equifax settlement?

If you made a valid claim for Credit Monitoring Services, you will receive an email from the Equifax Data Breach Settlement Administrator (from the email address [email protected]) by February 25, 2022 providing you with information on how to activate your credit monitoring.

What is the real Equifax website?

“Consumers should be aware of fake websites purporting to be operated by Equifax. Our dedicated website for consumers to learn more about the incident and sign up for free credit monitoring is https://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com, and our company homepage is equifax.com.

How much can you get from a data breach settlement?

Cash payments. You can get compensation for up to 20 hours at $25 per hour for the time you spent taking measures to prevent identity theft or dealing with identity theft. Ten hours can be self-certified, requiring no documentation.

Has the Equifax settlement been finalized?

Share this article: Equifax has reached a settlement over its data breach, according to an update put out by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The settlement was finalized in January 2022 and the settlement administrator has begun contacting those who filed valid claims, according to the update.

How do I know if Equifax breach affected me?

Equifax has created a website where you can find out if you have been affected by the breach. The website will ask you for the last six digits of your social security number and your last name, and then will tell you if you have been affected. You can also call 1-833-759-2982.

How much is Equifax settlement?

Back in 2017, Equifax infamously suffered a data breach that exposed devastating levels of personal and financial information of about 147 million Americans. Its punishment was a $575 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and a pinkie promise to go forth and sin no more.

What happened to the Equifax lawsuit?

Equifax denied any wrongdoing and no judgment or finding of wrongdoing was made. If you are a Class Member, the deadline to file Initial Claims Period claim(s) for free credit monitoring or up to $125 cash payment and other cash reimbursement passed on January 22, 2020. The Settlement is now effective.

Is Equifax website safe?

How secure is the information I provide to Equifax.com? Social Security number and credit card number(s) are encrypted before being transmitted to/from our servers. For your security, this site requires the use of a 128-bit SSL compatible browser.

Is there an Equifax breach?

In September of 2017, Equifax announced a data breach that exposed the personal information of 147 million people. The company has agreed to a global settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and 50 U.S. states and territories.

What happened to Equifax after the data breach?

In the wake of Equifax's 2017 data breach, which compromised the personal information of roughly 147 million consumers — including names, birthdates and Social Security numbers — the company ended up as the target of multiple lawsuits and reached a settlement in 2019 with the FTC, the Consumer Financial Protection ...

Will I get $125 from Equifax?

Click here to check with Equifax if they have exposed your information. You will need to provide your last name and the last six numbers of your social security number. If you were affected, click here to file a claim with the FTC and either get a $125 settlement payment or free credit monitoring.

How much was the Equifax settlement?

$425 millionEquifax data breach class action lawsuit settlement updates: On June 3, 2021, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the $425 million Equifax data breach settlement.

What's going on with Equifax?

In September of 2017, Equifax announced a data breach that exposed the personal information of 147 million people. The company has agreed to a global settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and 50 U.S. states and territories.

How does Equifax get paid?

In the U.S., these three major consumer credit bureaus primarily make money selling credit reports, developing analytics and scoring systems, and selling credit-related services to consumers. Editorial Note: Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn't affect our editors' opinions.

What happens if you are impacted by Equifax?

If you were impacted by the Equifax data breach, you may seek reimbursement for valid Out of Pocket losses or Time Spent (excluding losses of money and time associated with freezing or unfreezing credit reports or purchasing credit monitoring or identity theft protection) incurred during the Extended Claims Period if you have not received reimbursement for the claimed loss through other means.

When is the deadline to file a claim against Equifax?

The deadline to file a claim for Out-of-Pocket Losses or Time Spent that occurred through January 22, 2020 has passed.

How much time can you spend on a data breach?

You may be eligible for the following reimbursement cash payments for: Time Spent during the Extended Claims Period recovering from fraud, identity theft, or other misuse of your personal information caused by the data breach up to 20 total hours at $25 per hour.

When is the deadline for Equifax?

If you are a class member, the deadline to file Initial Claims Period claim (s) for free credit monitoring or up to $125 cash payment and other cash reimbursement passed on January 22, 2020.

When is the deadline for credit monitoring in 2024?

January 22, 20 24 (For future losses and time) File a claim for Credit Monitoring Services or Alternative Reimbursement Compensation. The deadline to submit a claim to receive the Free Credit Monitoring Services offered under the Settlement, or Alternative Reimbursement Compensation has passed.

When is the extended claim period for credit monitoring?

You may seek reimbursement for valid Out-of-Pocket Losses or Time Spent (excluding losses of money and time associated with freezing or unfreezing credit reports or purchasing credit monitoring or identity theft protection) incurred during the Extended Claims Period (between January 23, 2020 and January 22, 2024) if you have not received reimbursement for the claimed loss through other means.

Is the Equifax settlement final?

By order of the Court, the Settlement cannot become final until the appeals of the remaining objectors are resolved. In September of 2017, Equifax announced it experienced a data breach, which impacted the personal information of approximately 147 million people.

Claim

Equifax data breach settlement emails offering a free membership for Experian IdentityWorks are legitimate.

Origin

In late January 2022, Google users looked to Reddit and elsewhere to find out if an email for the status of the Equifax data breach settlement was a “scam or legit,” as readers often do after receiving such notices.

Here's the backstory

The Equifax data breach reported in July 2017 is one of the worst of all time. Critical information was stolen from over 147 million Americans, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth and home addresses.

How to take advantage of the Equifax settlement

The FTC verified the email’s legitimacy and that the settlement became final in January 2022. It went on to say the settlement administrator recently began sending emails and letters to people who filed a valid claim requesting free credit monitoring services from the settlement.

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