The Equifax breach claim deadline ended January 22, 2024. The FTC says affected people who discover misuse of their information can still get free identity-restoration help until January 2029, even without a prior benefits claim.
Status and key dates
Checked September 24, 2026.
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Matter | The 2017 Equifax data breach settlement |
| Claim deadline | January 22, 2024 — passed |
| Remaining service | Identity-restoration help until January 2029 for affected people who discover misuse |
What the case concerns
The 2017 breach exposed personal information of approximately 147 million people. The FTC describes a global settlement with federal and state authorities that includes up to $425 million for consumer help.
Source: FTC: Equifax data breach settlement and remaining help.
What the latest source says
The FTC directs consumers to the official settlement lookup tool to confirm whether they were affected. The confirmation page supplies the information needed to access restoration help.
What you can do now
- Start from the FTC’s settlement page, then follow its official lookup link.
- If affected and experiencing misuse, use the restoration contact instructions supplied there.
- For an existing payment, contact the settlement administrator. New identity theft may also require separate action to secure accounts and correct records.
Before sharing personal information, verify the notice and administrator. We do not collect claim numbers, file claims, or access settlement accounts.
Common questions
Is identity restoration another cash payment?
No. It is assistance with recovering from identity theft. It does not reopen cash claims.
Is this the 2022 credit-score case?
No. The 2017 data breach and the 2022 credit-score litigation are separate matters. Match the event and case name before following any notice.
Keep going
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Notice verification guideVerify a settlement notice
Check a settlement email, text, or letter against case records and administrator sources before sharing information or following payment instructions.
Sources and page information
Sources checked September 24, 2026. These are dated summaries, not live case monitoring. Follow the court’s orders and the administrator’s current instructions. Counsel announcements are identified separately from court and administrator sources.
Prepared with AI assistance. Examples and worksheets are illustrative. This is general information, not legal advice. We do not submit complaints, determine eligibility, or guarantee a result.