How To Get a Share of the Equifax Data Breach $700m Settlement

Two years after the blunder was admitted by Equifax that personal information of 147 million Americans had been exposed, the company has agreed to a $700 million settlement and you could have a windfall coming your way.

This past week Equifax announced a settlement agreement of up to $700 million with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and most state attorneys general, in addition to a nationwide consumer class-action lawsuit. The settlement includes up to $425 million for consumers affected by the breach.

So how do you cash in? Consumers that have been victims of the breach can begin filing claims online or by mail to a settlement administration and could be eligible for up to $20,000 for lost time and money, such as $25 an hour for up to 20 hours spent on protecting personal information or addressing identity theft after the breach. In addition, those affected are also eligible to receive at least 10-years of free credit-monitoring services and seven years of free identity-restoration services. All U.S. consumers will be allowed to request up to six free copies of their Equifax credit report during any 12-month period according to the Data Breach website.

Not sure you were one of the 147 million consumers that were exposed? Head to the Check Your Eligibility website to find out. I checked it out,  and turns out I WILL be filing a claim. If you're joining me, you can get all the information about starting your claim at the Equifax Data Breach website.

I don't foresee a settlement that will allow me to retire in the Bahamas anytime soon, but there may be a month of free Starbucks in my future.