Yes, the Equifax Data Breach Settlement email and website are real. Although the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 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.
Does Equifax owe me money?
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - It’s been two years since the Equifax data breach and now they may owe you money. Depending on how involved you got after initial word of the Equifax breach, financial advisor Nancy Anderson says you could qualify for even more than the $125 dollar minimum, even without receipts.
When will Equifax pay settlement?
Settlement benefits for eligible time spent and out-of-pocket losses are likely to begin issuing in fall 2022. The Equifax Data Breach Settlement website will provide updates. If you still have your claim number, you can enter it on the website and check the status of your claim.
Is Equifax Legit and safe?
Yes, having worked for them, Equifax is a legitimate company and safely handles personal information. They are the oldest of the 3 US credit unions founded in 1899. TransUnion and Experian are the others and serve the same role. Can you really make $1,500 to $2,000 a week driving for DoorDash?
Does Equifax Own Credit Karma?
The scores and credit report information on Credit Karma come from TransUnion and Equifax, two of the three major credit bureaus. Credit Karma compiles its own VantageScore based on that information. Your Credit Karma score should be the same or close to your FICO score, which is what any prospective lender will probably check.
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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.
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.
When is the extended claim period for out of pocket loss?
To be eligible, your claim for Out-of-Pocket Losses or Time Spent must occur between January 23, 2020 and January 22, 20 24(the “Extended Claims Period”).
If you signed up for the Equifax Breach Settlement, activate your benefit online
Jim Probasco has 30+ years of experience writing for online, print, radio, and television media, including PBS. His expertise includes government programs and policy, retirement planning, insurance, family finance, home ownership and loans. He has a bachelor's from Ohio University and Master's from Wright State University in music education.
Who's a Settlement Class Member?
A settlement class member of the Equifax breach is any one of the 147 million people impacted by the breach—i.e., who had their information stolen. If you are unsure of your status, the settlement administrator has a tool to check your status as a class member on the Equifax Data Breach Settlement website.
Who's an Eligible Claimant?
If you submitted a claim and opted for free Credit Monitoring Services during the Initial Claims Period, which ended Jan. 22, 2020, you are eligible for free credit monitoring for four years, as well as other benefits and coverage that will be explained to you when you sign up for your membership.
How to Sign Up for Free Credit Monitoring
By Feb. 25, 2022, all valid claimants will receive a letter or email from the settlement administrator that will include an activation code. 7 You will be instructed to go to the Experian IdentityWorks website and enter your activation code by June 27, 2022 to begin your free four-year membership. 2
How to Avoid a Scam
For every legitimate offer of free services, there are likely hundreds of scams. The Equifax settlement will be no different. Keep the following things in mind when evaluating any communications you receive: 3
Extended Claims Period
Although the deadline for settlement class members to file an Initial Claims Period claim passed on Jan. 22, 2020, class members may submit reimbursement claims for Out of Pocket Expenses and/or Time Spent for the Extended Claims Period (Jan. 23, 2020 through Jan. 22, 2024. 7
Free Identity Restoration Services
If you are a settlement class member, you are entitled to at least 7 years of free assisted identity restoration services beginning Jan. 11, 2022, to help you remedy the effects of identity theft and fraud. 7
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.
