The Equifax data breach settlement is one of the largest in U.S. history — $425 million set aside for roughly 147 million Americans. If your personal information was exposed in the 2017 Equifax hack, you likely qualify. Filing is free and takes under 10 minutes. Here's exactly how to do it.
⚡ Quick Facts
- Settlement Amount: $425 million
- Filing Deadline: May 15, 2026
- Proof Required: No
- Who's Eligible: ~147 million Americans
- Official Site: equifaxbreachsettlement.com
- Case Number: 1:17-md-2800-TWT (U.S. District Court, N.D. Georgia)
- Administrator: JND Legal Administration
What Happened?
In September 2017, Equifax disclosed that hackers had accessed the personal information of approximately 147 million Americans — nearly half the U.S. population. The exposed data included Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, driver's license numbers, and in some cases, credit card numbers.
Equifax failed to patch a known vulnerability in its software for months, giving attackers an open door. The resulting class action lawsuit led to a $425 million settlement fund, administered through JND Legal Administration and overseen by the FTC.
Am I Eligible to File a Claim?
You are eligible if any of the following apply:
- You are a U.S. consumer whose personal information was compromised in the 2017 Equifax data breach
- You spent time dealing with the fallout — monitoring your credit, freezing your credit, or disputing fraudulent accounts
- You purchased credit monitoring or identity theft protection services after the breach
- You suffered out-of-pocket losses attributable to the breach (fraudulent charges, fees, etc.)
No proof is required to claim the base compensation. Simply self-certify that your information was affected. If you had a credit file at Equifax before the breach, you were almost certainly affected.
What Can You Claim?
- Free Credit Monitoring (4 years): Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion monitoring — the primary benefit for most filers.
- Cash Payment (up to $125): If you already have credit monitoring, you can claim cash instead. Actual payouts vary based on claim volume.
- Time Compensation: Up to 10 hours at $25/hour for time spent dealing with breach-related issues (up to $250 total).
- Out-of-Pocket Losses: Up to $20,000 for documented losses — fraud, identity theft costs, attorney fees, etc. (requires documentation).
How to File Your Equifax Settlement Claim — Step by Step
- Go to the official settlement website: Visit equifaxbreachsettlement.com. Do not use third-party sites that charge fees.
- Click "File a Claim": You'll be directed to the JND Legal Administration claims portal.
- Enter your personal information: Name, address, email, and last four digits of your Social Security number to verify eligibility.
- Select your compensation type: Choose between free credit monitoring or the cash alternative. If claiming time or losses, have documentation ready.
- Submit your claim: Review and submit. You'll receive a confirmation email with your claim ID.
- Save your claim ID: Payments are distributed after the court process concludes.
The entire process takes 5–10 minutes.
Key Dates
- Claim Deadline: May 15, 2026 — do not miss this date
- Payments issued after all claims are processed and final court approvals
Want Someone to File For You?
SettlementRadar's filing assistance handles the process — we'll ensure your claim is complete and submitted correctly before the deadline.
View Full Equifax Settlement Details →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Equifax settlement real?
Yes. It is a court-approved settlement administered by JND Legal Administration, overseen by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (Case 1:17-md-2800-TWT). The FTC has also published guidance at ftc.gov/equifax.
I already filed. Do I need to file again?
No. If you filed a valid claim during the initial claims period, you do not need to refile. Check your email for a prior confirmation from JND Legal Administration.
How much will I actually receive?
The cash alternative depends on total participation. With tens of millions of potential claimants, cash payouts have been lower than the $125 cap. Credit monitoring is typically the higher-value option if you don't already have it.
Do I need to hire a lawyer?
No. This is a class action — class counsel represents all class members. Filing is free and requires no attorney.
What if I suffered identity theft from the Equifax breach?
Document your losses (police reports, bank statements, etc.) and file for out-of-pocket loss compensation — up to $20,000 with documentation.
Bottom Line
The Equifax breach affected nearly half of America. If you've had a credit file since 2017, there's a real chance your data was exposed. The claim takes under 10 minutes, no proof required, deadline is May 15, 2026. File now.
