The Equifax data breach settlement claim form is no longer being accepted. The final deadline, covering the Extended Claims Period, was January 22, 2024, and the settlement administrator is not taking new submissions in any form.1Federal Trade Commission. Equifax Data Breach Settlement If you filed before that date, your claim is still being reviewed and the administrator will contact you if more information is needed.2Equifax Data Breach Settlement. Equifax Data Breach Settlement And whether you ever filed or not, free identity restoration services remain available to class members through early 2029.
Which Filing Windows Have Closed
Two filing periods existed under this settlement, and both are now shut.
The initial claims deadline was January 22, 2020. After that, an Extended Claims Period ran from January 23, 2020 through January 22, 2024, covering out-of-pocket losses and time spent dealing with the breach during that four-year window.2Equifax Data Breach Settlement. Equifax Data Breach Settlement If you did not file by January 22, 2024, there is no current avenue to submit a claim for cash reimbursement.
One boundary worth flagging for anyone sorting through old records: during the Extended Claims Period, costs for freezing or unfreezing credit reports and for purchasing credit monitoring or identity theft protection were not eligible for reimbursement.2Equifax Data Breach Settlement. Equifax Data Breach Settlement So even a claim filed on time would not have covered those categories in that period.
If You Already Filed a Claim
Extended Claims Period submissions for time spent and out-of-pocket losses are still being reviewed. The settlement administrator has not announced a specific date for the final distribution of those payments.2Equifax Data Breach Settlement. Equifax Data Breach Settlement
Checking Your Status
You can check where your claim stands through the official channels the FTC points claimants to:1Federal Trade Commission. Equifax Data Breach Settlement
- Website: www.EquifaxBreachSettlement.com
- Eligibility look-up tool: eligibility.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/en/eligibility
- Phone: 1-833-759-2982
You will need the confirmation number from your original submission to pull up claim details online. Lost it? Call the phone line instead.
Responding to a Deficiency Notice
If the administrator finds a problem with your documentation, expect a notice by email or regular mail. You will have a limited window to respond with the missing evidence, so watch both your inbox and your physical mailbox. Responding quickly and completely is the difference between getting paid on that portion of your claim and having it denied.
What Your Payment Is Likely to Look Like
Set expectations before the check arrives. The settlement website warns that payments for time spent and alternative compensation of up to $125 will likely be substantially reduced, distributed proportionally based on the number of valid claims filed. Depending on total valid claims, the amount you receive could be a small percentage of your original claim.2Equifax Data Breach Settlement. Equifax Data Breach Settlement
Any remaining or unclaimed money in the Consumer Restitution Fund is distributed proportionally to class members who filed valid claims for time spent or alternative compensation. Those pro rata payments go out via electronic pre-paid card.2Equifax Data Breach Settlement. Equifax Data Breach Settlement Out-of-pocket loss payments began issuing in mid-December 2022, and additional rounds depend on the volume and complexity of remaining claims.
What You Can Still Get Without Filing
Free identity restoration services remain available to settlement class members even if you never filed a claim. These services help you address the effects of identity theft and fraud, and they are available for seven years after the settlement’s effective date of January 11, 2022, which puts the expiration around early 2029.2Equifax Data Breach Settlement. Equifax Data Breach Settlement To access them, visit the official settlement website or call 1-833-759-2982.
Watching Out for Scams
High-profile settlements attract scammers, and this one is no exception. If someone calls, emails, or texts asking you to “reactivate” your claim or pay a fee to receive your settlement check, that is a scam. The settlement administrator will never ask you to pay money to collect your payment.
Legitimate emails about this settlement come only from distribution@equifaxbreachsettlement.com or info@equifaxbreachsettlement.com.1Federal Trade Commission. Equifax Data Breach Settlement The official settlement website is www.EquifaxBreachSettlement.com and the phone number is 1-833-759-2982. Before clicking any link in a settlement email, confirm the sender address matches one of those two. Check that any URL begins with “https://” and that the domain ends in equifaxbreachsettlement.com before entering personal information.