Fake Equifax Settlement Claim Websites Springing Up, FTC Warns

Local News
08/08/19

Last week we told you about how to file a claim if you believe you were a victim of the 2017 Equifax data breach.

Now the Federal Trade Commission says scammers are putting up fake websites meant to look like the official Equifax settlement claims website.

The scammers’ only goal is to steal your personal information.

Michael Atleson is the Acting Assistant Director, Division of Consumer & Business Education for the FTC.

He advises consumers to go to the legitimate claim site, which is ftc.gov/EQUIFAX to file a claim.

In September, 2017, Equifax announced a data breach that exposed the personal information of 147 million people.

The settlement includes up to $425 million to help people affected by the data breach.

Compensation is being awarded in several ways.

First, you can opt to receive up to 10 years of free credit monitoring or $125 if you decide not to enroll because you already have credit monitoring.

Second, you can file a claim for a cash payment up to $20,000 to cover expenses you paid as a result of the breach, like losses from unauthorized charges to your accounts, the cost of freezing or unfreezing your credit report, the cost of credit monitoring, and other fees like those paid to an accountant or attorney.
You can also be compensated $25 an hour for the time you spent dealing with the breach up to 20 hours.
Again, the legitimate web site to file a claim is ftc.gov/equifax.