Yes, the Equifax data breach settlement is actually legit. Other than that, first of all, what really happened with Equifax? See, Equifax, one of the largest credit bureaus in the U.S., was hacked in 2017. The personal information of approximately 147 million people was exposed. The list includes names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and a lot more. Thus, the filing of a lawsuit and a legal settlement happened in the aftermath.
Through this settlement, eligible people were offered:
- Free credit monitoring
- Compensation for losses
- Identity restoration services
How To Spot a Legit Message?
Countless individuals are being targeted with messages, flyers, and money cards that are supposedly related to the Equifax settlement. A few of the messages being circulated might be authentic, while others may be fraudulent. How to differentiate them is what we will talk about.
Official emails: They usually come from addresses like:
- info@EquifaxBreachSettlement.com
- distribution@EquifaxBreachSettlement.com
Or, for prepaid card notifications: EquifaxDataBreachSettlement@hawkmarketplace.com (from Blackhawk)
To stay safe, don’t click any links in these emails. Instead, manually type the official URL: EquifaxBreachSettlement.com
You can also verify by calling the helpline: 1-833-759-2982.
Note: Make it a habit to check the official website or dial the helpline directly. It is unwise to trust links that come in your emails or text messages, as this is the common method used by phishing attacks.
What Kind of Payments Were Sent?
Payments under the settlement began rolling out in 2022. People received:
- Paper checks
- Prepaid debit cards
- Or direct electronic deposits
In 2024, the last tranche of payments was made. The majority of them were quite modest in value (typically less than $20) as the compensation had to be divided between a huge number of individuals. It is quite typical for megascale settlements to have this kind of distribution.
Can You Still Get Anything?
Most claim deadlines are past. The last big one finished in January 2024. But a significant benefit is still available:
- Identity Restoration Services, whether you were victimized by a fraudulent claim or not.
- In case of identity theft or identity abuse, assistance is available at no cost until January 2029.
That’s still active. No need to have filed a claim to use this.
Important: Prepaid Card Fees
Prepaid cards were sent to the emails of numerous users. These are not virtual; they are tangible cards. However, there is a small problem with these cards: if the card is left without use for 6 months, inactivity fees can be charged.
To avoid that:
- Use the card right away
- Transfer the balance to your bank
- Or spend it directly
The card won’t expire, but fees can drain your balance if you forget about it.
What Are People Saying?
On the web forums, users talk about the money that was received by most people, which lies between $5 and $20. Some of them expected $125, but this sum was lowered after a huge number of claims were made.
Some users also reported:
- Confusion around prepaid cards
- Issues redeeming them online
- Complaints about unexpected fees
But none of this means the settlement is fake, just that the process wasn’t smooth for everyone.
