INDIANAPOLIS — If you’ve been impacted by the Equifax data breach and have yet to file a claim, you now have some time to do just that.
The initial deadline to file a claim was Jan. 22, however, Equifax announced you can still file a claim for expenses you incur between Jan. 23 and January 22, 2024, as a result of identity theft or fraud related to the breach, such as:
· Losses from unauthorized charges to your bank or credit card accounts
· Fees you paid to accountants, attorneys, or other professionals to help you recover from identity theft
· Other expenses like notary fees, document shipping fees, postage, mileage, and phone charges
Equifax announced a data breach in September 2017 that exposed the personal information of 147 million people.
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Click here to find out if you were impacted.
The company has agreed to a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and 50 U.S. states and territories, which includes up to $425 million to help victims.
If you’ve already filed a claim and you’re wondering where your benefits are, the FTC says the settlement administrator will not send out any benefits until they have reviewed and validated claims and are allowed to do so by the court.
For free credit monitoring, you will get an activation code with instructions via email.
For cash payments, you will get either a check or debit card depending on which option you chose when you filed your claim which will be sent to the mailing address you provided.
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According to the FTC, even if you do not file a claim you can get free identity restoration services by calling 1-833-759-2982 or get free credit reports through 2026 by visiting the Equifax website or by calling 1-866-349-5191.
That’s in addition to the one free Equifax report (plus your Experian and TransUnion reports) you can get at AnnualCreditReport.com, said the FTC.
