Consumer Alert
Equifax Data Breach: Beware of Fake Settlement Websites
Just last week, we told you to go to ftc.gov/Equifax to find out if your information – like your Social Security number – was exposed in the September 2017 Equifax data breach. At that same website, you can also start a claim for benefits available under the settlement that the FTC and others reached with Equifax.
Wouldn’t you know it? People may have already started putting up fake websites meant to look like the official Equifax settlement claims website. To be sure you’re going to the right place, start at the FTC’s page: ftc.gov/Equifax.
A couple more things to remember. You’ll never have to pay to file a claim for these benefits. And anyone who calls and tries to get you to file a claim is almost certainly a scammer.
Search Terms
July 31, 2019
Dear CFCT US Government; Thank you very much for your attention to me. I will trying to be the best in my duty. Please increase protection of my money. Regards. Thank you
July 30, 2019
I received two text messages on Sunday, July 28th from two different numbers 2675260423 and 8064910112 both indicating Equifax alerts showing that my history was flagged. I have ignored them since I feel they are not legitimate. Both provided websites links as well.
July 30, 2019
Incredible, the thieves are always waiting for opportunities!
July 30, 2019
how can the public tell which is authentic and which is fake?
August 06, 2019
In reply to how can the public tell which by data breach
To be sure you’re going to the right place, start at the FTC’s page: ftc.gov/Equifax.
July 30, 2019
Please update this article to show what known sites are out there scamming people. And, with is the FTC doing to stop these people?
July 30, 2019
Why should the burden to present an application for monetary reimbursement from Equifax be necessary at all? The company knows who was hacked. It should be fined and the proceeds distributed among the consumers who will ever after have to wait for the other shoe to drop: the bank balance that's slid down, the ransom email from someone holding our data, etc. etc.
Why isn't this 'settlement' more General Data Protection Regulation (EU's GDPR) and less The data gods win again?
July 30, 2019
In reply to Why should the burden to by Test-Hack-Dummy
Once you send in your application does that release Equifax from any responsibility?
July 30, 2019
In reply to Why should the burden to by Test-Hack-Dummy
Because if they put it on the consumer/victim to file the claim, that's that many less settlement disbursements they have to pay out. This unfortunately is not a perfect world
July 30, 2019
Thanks for the double Alert. Will computer ever be fun again? BB
August 22, 2019
In reply to Thanks for the double Alert. by BuddyBanks
yes I think
July 30, 2019
Thanks FTC.
July 30, 2019
As long as we used the “start a claim” from the notification sent last week then are we safe still?
August 06, 2019
In reply to As long as we used the “start by Don't use youJ…
The FTC’s page is FTC.gov/Equifax. That is the link we have been using in our blogs.
July 30, 2019
Thanks. I find it helpful having this site available to check on questionable activity or to get a clue as to what might be heading my way.
August 06, 2019
so how do we know we haven't completed a fraudulent form? Is there a way for us to check??
August 06, 2019
In reply to so how do we know we haven't by lolaBob@39
The FTC page is www.FTC.gov/Equifax. You can connect to the settlement website from the FTC page.
July 30, 2019
Will it ever end? It is difficult enough these days to separate valid providers and websites from fake ones. FTC has been immeasurable help to us to keep things straight. Thank you for all of your help.
July 30, 2019
Thank you for the information. A suggestion: it would be helpful if the website would provide a confirmation email with the claim number afterwards. I felt like I must not have been on the correct website when I didn't receive a confirmation email that my claim was completed and received. In my opinion, this makes it appear like a scammer page. I also noticed that when I walked away from my laptop and then checked the tab again with the last page containing the claim number on it, the page had disappeared and I no longer had my claim number because I didn't jot it down. I felt like that made it appear as though it was a scammer page as well.
August 23, 2019
In reply to Thank you for the information by Mom2one
I feel the same way. I actually came here looking for information on whether or not I should have received a confirmation email. Just a simple automated response would have been helpful and reassuring. As things stand now, I have no idea whether or not my claim was actually received.
September 10, 2019
In reply to I feel the same way. I by KayeElle
Frequently Asked Question #19 on the settlement website (www.EquifaxBreachSettlement.com) says if you make a valid claim for credit monitoring services, the Settlement Administrator will send you information about how to activate your credit monitoring after the settlement is final. The earliest the settlement will be final is January 23, 2020.
The Settlement Administrator will send you an activation code and link to the Experian website. You can enroll and activate your credit monitoring services on the Experian website.
October 14, 2019
In reply to Thank you for the information by Mom2one
I feel the same way mom2one, I couldnt save my confirmation page as a PDF and when I tried to take a screenshot it disappeared. Checking my email for days hoping to see a confirmation email with my claim number but nothing. Seriously feeling like a phishing site but no money was requested and my info has already been stolen so I guess I dont care anymore.
November 06, 2019
In reply to I feel the same way mom2one, by HappyCreative
July 30, 2019
Worries me that the website asks for the last 6 digits of our social security number. Since the first 3 digits are based on the geographic location where we received our numbers, they are easy to guess if you know the person, so I don't feel safe giving out the rest.
July 31, 2019
In reply to Worries me that the website by Judy
Judy - I absolutely agree with you - I can not believe that because of a breach they want us to furnish them with six of the nine. Real DUMB way of doing things - I hesitate to give the last 4 but they want 6. No
August 05, 2019
In reply to Worries me that the website by Judy
I felt the same way about the last 6. I talked to my bank and she assured me that the site came from the FTC. I told her I was still very weary.
July 30, 2019
I tried to file a claim with Equifax. I thought I was entitled to claim 10 hours of my time working on protecting myself without providing written documentation from third parties. I do not believe that the online claim form provided for that option. That option did not appear on the online claim form. The online claim form required that I submit documentation for everything.
I tried to terminate my application because of this. I do not know whether I was successful in withdrawing my claim form before it was completed. If the claim went through, I will not be reimbursed for my 10 hours of time spent protecting myself from the breach.
This seems to be typical of some of the ways Equifax treats consumers. I am disappointed that I cannot claim reimbursement for the 10 hours of my time.
July 30, 2019
How can we entrust Equifax with restoring our data security and safeguarding it into the future after it was the offending entity? This isn't a rhetorical question.
July 30, 2019
Any scam call I identify as such is met with my whistle next to my phone. This gives me a sense of satisfaction. They want to steal my money, they get an earful instead. I have no pity for them.
July 30, 2019
Isn't there a way to catch these peoples IP address? How can they be smarter then a federal agency's computer experts?
July 30, 2019
Thanks for the update !
July 30, 2019
This is too scary, don't know who to trust!
July 30, 2019
I just hope that those of us who file a claim for the Equifax problem and soon to need to fill Capitol One/Transunion thief/hack get constant feedback on the process and we don't have to self-followup throughout the claim process.
November 08, 2019
In reply to I just hope that those of us by masterredfox
That's the first I've heard about the cap one,and trans union hack..mark my words one day the hackers will have all their ducks in a row and they'll shut the whole planet off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Blackout!!!
July 31, 2019
Tankyou
July 30, 2019
every time I get a car or mortgage loan loan institutions always used Equifax as one of their credit report agencies. However, I have noticed that for the last two years there have been too many inquiries in my credit report from companies that Idon't even know. some time this year I tried to connect to Equifax but it kept saying that my credentials wouldn't match. this is big concern now with this news. I also have a cop of the Equifax run 08/14/18 that when I reviewed it some information is incorrect.
July 31, 2019
There are so many scams going on. Too many for these types of sites to keep up with. So many people, including me, are joining forces. Working together to rid this old world of ours these scammers one baby step at a time. If you get a call that will not hang up, the call will disconnect in a few seconds or you can answer & hang up quickly to end that call. If you call yourself, please do not get curious & answer it. It's another scam.
July 31, 2019
!! FTC READ!!
In order to stop these scams, companies should be forced to use their official domains and not make up these weird domains to handle claims.
August 02, 2019
My gf’s daughter went on a site that looked very official... BUT they asked for her social. Talk about insult to injury ! Now will have to use the credit monitoring.
August 02, 2019
I agree whole-heartedly with test-hack-dummy. Why is the consumer being tasked with filing a claim; once again supplying a website with our personal data and not totally sure we're even on the correct site? Equifax has the list of all affected. It should be mandatory that they AUTOMATICALLY take steps to correct any issues and PAY everyone on the list!
August 03, 2019
I recently received an extortion attempt as a result of the Blue Cross hack almost a decade ago. I agree there should be compensation even though there has not yet been a consequence. The consequence is that all are compromised indefinitely.
August 05, 2019
sO IS THERE A NEW PLACE TO GO FOR THIS?
August 05, 2019
How do I know the site I'm on right now isn't a scam?
August 06, 2019
Equifax is offering a cash payment or up to 10 years of free credit monitoring to people affected by the breach.
The FTC is now warning that many people may get "nowhere near" the full $125 amount and they are encouraging consumers to think about opting for the free credit monitoring option instead.
Where is the option for free credit monitoring instead ? The information above should be made clear.
August 06, 2019
In reply to Equifax is offering a cash by Emoobs
Go to ftc.gov/Equifax to find out if your information was exposed in the September 2017 Equifax data breach. At that same website, you can also start a claim for benefits, such as credit monitoring, available under the settlement that the FTC and others reached with Equifax.
September 10, 2019
In reply to Equifax is offering a cash by Emoobs
I just received an e-mail. Looks like a scam!
Your Equifax Claim: You Must Act by October 15, 2019 or Your Claim for Alternative Compensation Will Be Denied
Your Claim Number: PVLxxxxxx
According to our records, you filed a claim for alternative compensation of up to $125 in connection with the Equifax data breach settlement and certified on the claim form that you had some form of credit monitoring or protection in place and will continue to have the credit monitoring in place for a minimum of six months from the date of your claim filing.
You must either verify or amend your claim by October 15, 2019.
If you do not, your claim for alternative compensation will be denied. To verify your claim for alternative compensation, you must provide the name of your credit monitoring service that you had in place when you filed your claim. - OR - You can amend your claim to request free credit monitoring instead of alternative compensation. The easiest way to verify or amend your claim is by visiting the official Settlement Website here.
The amount you receive in connection with your alternative compensation claim may be significantly reduced depending on how many valid claims are ultimately submitted by other class members for this relief. Based on the number of potentially valid claims that have been submitted to date, payments of these benefits likely will be substantially lowered and will be distributed on a proportional basis if the settlement becomes final. Depending on the number of valid claims that are filed, the amount you receive for alternative compensation may be a small percentage of your initial claim.
Please note that if you do not take action by October 15, 2019, your claim for alternative compensation will be denied.
You can also verify or amend your claim by sending us a letter stating either the name of the credit monitoring service you had in place when you filed your claim or that you wish to amend your claim to select credit monitoring instead. Please include your full name, claim number from the top of this email, and zip code to the address below: In re Equifax Data Breach Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration; PO Box 91318; Seattle, WA; 98111-9418
Further information about your rights and options, including the right to exclude yourself from the settlement, is available at www.EquifaxBreachSettlement.com. This email is from the Court-appointed settlement administrator, not Equifax. Please do not contact Equifax with questions. To contact the settlement administrator, click here.
September 10, 2019
In reply to I just received an e-mail. by JJ
If you filed a claim before August 2, 2019, and asked for a cash payment of up to $125, you'll get an email that says you have to take steps to get your benefits. If you want benefits, follow the instructions in the email. You must:
- give the name of the credit monitoring service you had when you asked for the cash payment OR
- change your claim to ask for credit monitoring instead of the cash payment
You must verify your credit monitoring service or amend your claim before October 15, 2019, or your claim may be denied.
Get more information about the settlement at www.FTC.gov/Equifax or www.EquifaxBreachSettlement.com.
August 06, 2019
You stated there was a fee to file a claim. Do you know how much that is? I would like to know before exposing myself to the risk. Thank You!
August 07, 2019
In reply to You stated there was a fee to by katiethekitty
No, there is not a fee to file a claim.
You will never have to pay to file a claim for the benefits related to the Equifax breach. Anyone who tries to get you to pay to file a claim is probably a scammer.
August 09, 2019
I used this website to file a claim; is it legitimate?
[web address removed for safety reasons]
Frequently Asked Question #19 on the settlement website (www.EquifaxBreachSettlement.com) says if you make a valid claim for credit monitoring services, the Settlement Administrator will send you information about how to activate your credit monitoring after the settlement is final. The earliest the settlement will be final is January 23, 2020.
The Settlement Administrator will send you an activation code and link to the Experian website. You can enroll and activate your credit monitoring services on the Experian website.