Equifax data breach claims are extended

The Equifax data breach extension has led to an extended window for individuals to claim compensation for financial and time-related setbacks caused by the breach. If you were impacted by the breach and experienced financial losses or time-related expenses between January 23, 2020, and January 22, 2024, you may be eligible for compensation.

To be eligible for a claim at Equifax data breach extension, you must have been impacted by the Equifax data breach and experienced financial losses or time-related expenses between January 23, 2020, and January 22, 2024. The following expenses are eligible for reimbursement:

• Purchases of certain Equifax products made before the breach
• Costs associated with freezing or unfreezing your credit report
• Expenses for credit monitoring services
• Expenditures related to addressing fraud or identity theft subsequent to the breach

How to file a claim at Equifax data breach extension

To file a claim for the Equifax data breach extension, visit EquifaxBreachSettlement.com and complete the provided form. The form will ask for your contact information and allow you to specify which benefits you are claiming. For claims related to out-of-pocket losses, you will need to provide supporting documentation.

The form is divided into two sections:

• Section 1: Out-of-Pocket Losses
• Section 2: Time Spent

If you faced financial losses due to the breach within the Extended Claims Period, you can apply for reimbursement in Section 1. Ensure that you have all necessary supporting documents on hand, especially if you’re seeking compensation in Section 1 (for claims exceeding 10 hours) and/or Section 2.

If you invested time addressing issues arising from the breach during the Extended Claims Period, you can apply for compensation in Section 2. You’ll be asked to specify your preferred mode of payment for the Extended Claims Period claim. Once you have completed the form, you must electronically sign it and hit the “submit” button.

Note: If you file for monetary compensation, the final amount might be adjusted based on the total number of claims received in relation to the Equifax data breach extension.

Once you have completed the form, you must electronically sign it and hit the “submit” button.

A flashback

The Equifax data breach was a data breach that occurred at the consumer credit reporting agency Equifax in 2017. The breach exposed the personal information of over 147 million Americans, including their names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and addresses. It was one of the largest data breaches in history.

The breach occurred when hackers exploited a vulnerability in Equifax's web application. The hackers were able to access Equifax's systems and steal the personal information of millions of Americans. Equifax did not discover the breach until July 2017, and it did not notify the public until September 2017.

The Equifax data breach had a significant impact on the victims. Many of the victims experienced identity theft and fraud. The breach also caused financial hardship for many of the victims, as they had to pay for credit monitoring services and other steps to protect themselves from identity theft.

Read also: 23andMe data breach exposes genetic data of thousands of people.

Equifax was widely criticized for its handling of the data breach. The company was accused of being slow to discover the breach and of failing to adequately protect the personal information of its customers. Equifax was also accused of misleading the public about the extent of the breach.

In 2019, Equifax agreed to pay a $700 million settlement to resolve a number of lawsuits related to the data breach. The settlement included $425 million in cash payments to victims and $275 million in other relief.

The Equifax data breach was a major wake-up call about the dangers of data breaches. It is important for consumers to be aware of the risks of data breaches and to take steps to protect their personal information.

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