Equifax Settlement Claim: How to File and Get Paid (2026 Guide)

In 2017, hackers exploited a vulnerability in Equifax's systems and stole names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and in some cases driver's license and credit card numbers. The breach affected approximately 147 million people, making it one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history.

Equifax failed to patch a known security vulnerability for months, leaving consumer data exposed. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and all 50 state attorneys general reached a settlement with Equifax in 2019 totaling at least $575 million, with up to $425 million set aside for consumer compensation.

The $425 million consumer fund offered affected individuals up to 10 years of free credit monitoring through Experian, or a cash payment in lieu of monitoring. Cash payments were capped and ultimately paid out at just a few dollars per person due to the overwhelming number of claims filed — the FTC warned claimants early that cash payments would be far less than the advertised $125 maximum.

Consumers who spent time dealing with identity theft or fraud directly caused by the breach could also claim reimbursement for out-of-pocket losses (up to $20,000) and up to 20 hours of lost time at $25/hour. These higher-value claims required documentation.

Yes — the initial Equifax FTC settlement distribution began in 2022. If you filed a valid claim before the January 22, 2020 deadline, your payment has likely already been sent. Credit monitoring enrollments were processed separately through Experian's IdentityWorks service.

However, new Equifax-related litigation continues to emerge. Class actions related to subsequent data incidents, credit reporting errors, and disputes with Equifax's credit reporting practices are active in 2025 and 2026. If you've experienced a credit reporting error or new data exposure involving Equifax, you may be eligible for a separate, newer settlement.

If you missed the original January 2020 filing deadline, you cannot recover money from that specific settlement fund. However, there are still meaningful steps you can take. First, check whether you enrolled in the free credit monitoring — that offer was available for several years and some enrollment windows may still be accessible.

More importantly, if you experienced actual identity theft or financial harm linked to the breach, consult with a consumer protection attorney. Individual lawsuits and newer class actions may still provide a path to compensation. You can also file a complaint with the FTC and CFPB if Equifax's credit reporting practices have harmed you, which can lead to corrective action and potential additional settlements.

Equifax ran a dedicated eligibility checker at eligibility.equifaxbreachsettlement.com — though this original tool is no longer active, you can verify your exposure status through the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov portal and Equifax's own security freeze tools at freeze.equifax.com.

A general rule of thumb: if you had a credit report on file with Equifax in 2017, your data was likely exposed. Placing a free credit freeze with all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) remains one of the best protective steps. Monitor your credit reports regularly at AnnualCreditReport.com.