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As many as 15 million Californians may be eligible for a share of up to $425 million in restitution in a nationwide settlement of lawsuits over a massive data breach by the Equifax credit bureau in 2017, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Monday.
The breach between May and July 2017 exposed personal information of 147 million Americans, including Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and in some cases, driver’s license numbers.
The agreement settles lawsuits filed in federal court in Atlanta by the Federal Trade Commission, consumer lawsuits and lawsuits filed in state courts by 48 states including California.
The settlement will provide at least $300 million and if needed $425 million to compensate consumers for past and future credit monitoring and for any harm consumers can prove for identity thefts.
Atlanta-based Equifax also agreed to pay $175 million in penalties to 48 states and $100 million to the federal Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, and to implement a new security program.
Becerra said in a statement, “Equifax, one of only three major credit reporting agencies, had a responsibility to secure and protect Americans’ data. Instead, it breached public trust.
“We have now recovered hundreds of millions of dollars to help our families who fell victim,” he said.
The Federal Trade Commission alleged that Equifax failed to patch its network after being alerted in March 2017 about a critical security vulnerability.
FTC Chairman Joe Simons said, “Equifax failed to take basic steps that may have prevented the breach that affected approximately 147 million consumers.”
Equifax Chief Executive Officer Mark Begor said, “The consumer fund of up to $425 million that we are announcing today reinforces our commitment to putting consumers first and safeguarding their data — and reflects the seriousness with which we take this matter.”
Consumers can find information about the restitution fund and procedures online at equifaxbreachsettlement.com.
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Oh boy I can’t wait to get my share. Just maybe it will pay for half a cup of coffee.
You expect cash, Observer? I’m sure that the $3 you’re entitled to will be spent for free credit monitoring from… Equifax!
Really? Whiners don’t bother to click on the link, clearly.
Thank you, mv voice for the public service in providing this!!!
Page 1: $125 up to $20,000, or yes, Equifax services.
There’s more, including: “3. Free Identity Restoration Services: You are eligible for at least 7 years of free assisted identity restoration service”
Equifax management are jerks. Lawyers are often leaches. But fercrissakes, stop whining about half a cup of coffee.
I have no idea what a final payout will be, but…….
Misleading whining doesn’t help the community. Please read it if you qualify.
Have a great morning!
Seems like entrapment … they lose all our information then want us to pay them to help protect it?
This company should no longer be allowed to exist.
I never gave Equifax (or similar) permission to track every purchase and payment I’ve ever made. How did they get my social security number in the first place?
All the various state’s attorney generals bragging about this is a slap in the face.
IF you already have credit monitoring and can prove it’s active for the next 6 months, then you might be eligible for $150.00.
If you had you ID stolen you may be eligible of up to 20K.
If you do not have current credit monitoring, you get their service for free and no $
The individual pay out depends upon the number of verified claims. My experience with consumer class actions is that after several years, you will receive a very small fraction of what is initially stated. Many times, it is not worth the postage and copying fees.
As an example, there was a cruise line calling people then taking political polls. The calls took place several years ago. According to the court notices and statements, I should receive $750.00 due to the number of calls I could prove after diligently searching our old records. I even agreed to speak with a master. Now, as settlement approaches, all these years later, it looks more like $6.00 (not a typo) will be coming my way.
We will all probably be offered free credit monitoring for a year from Equifax.
Sad but true.