# Most U.S Straight Dope Readers Can Get Free $125 (in reality, $5)--Equifax Data Breach Settlement **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2019, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591 "2019-07-25T03:54:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/1 "2019-07-25T03:54:54Z")
> [@](#): > > You can now file a claim if you were among the 147 million people whose data was exposed in the major Equifax data breach in 2017 to recover money you spent or lost as a result of the hack. The Federal Trade Commission announced on Monday that Equifax has agreed to pay at least $575 million and up to $700 million to help compensate the victims of hackers who stole data from Equifax customers. Payments as part of the settlement can cover the costs to recover from the security breach of the free credit report company – including recovering from the theft of your identity – and unauthorized charges to your account. You can also submit a claim to cover the cost of protecting yourself from identity theft, following the Equifax data breach. > **[You're running out of time to submit your Equifax data breach claim -- here's...](https://www.cnet.com/news/privacy/youre-running-out-of-time-to-submit-your-equifax-data-breach-claim-heres-how/)** > > If your personal information was exposed in the massive hack, you wouldn't want to leave money or benefits on the table. So your alternatives are: 1. Free $125 (no documentation needed) or 2. Free credit monitoring (no documentation needed) or 3. Substantially more if you document your costs/losses To see if you are covered: [https://eligibility.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/en/eligibility](https://eligibility.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/en/eligibility) To submit a claim: > **[Equifax Data Breach Settlement | Am I Affected?](https://www.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/)** > > Personal information of millions of people was impacted. Find out if you are part of the settlement and the benefits you may receive. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/2 "2019-07-25T04:19:38Z")
Where do you get that bit about $125 without any documentation? I had two card numbers stolen but the charges were declined and I didn’t lose anything except the annoyance of having to get the numbers changed. And yes, they did say I was “impacted.” ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/3 "2019-07-25T08:44:18Z")
I just checked myself, without much expectation of anything, as I’ve been living in Australia for the last 14 years. Yes, I’ve been “impacted”, and yes, I can file a claim for the $125.00. Huh. So I filled in my info, and I’ve got a claim number. We’ll see if I get the money or not. There’s been no dodgy activity that I know of; I suppose someone might have done something in the States, but nothing I’ve heard of. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/4 "2019-07-25T08:50:22Z")
The $125 has conditions attached. You’re only eligible if you already have a credit-monitoring subscription. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/5 "2019-07-25T10:24:34Z")
I was affected by that breach and I’m not interested in their $125. I probably will take them up on their free credit monitoring extension- I think I’ve read that was for a duration of couple of years. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/6 "2019-07-25T17:20:46Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > The $125 has conditions attached. You’re only eligible if you already have a credit-monitoring subscription. I’m wondering if Credit Karma counts. They are indeed a credit monitoring service, but I doubt if that’s what they mean since it’s free. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/7 "2019-07-25T17:34:22Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > The $125 has conditions attached. You’re only eligible if you already have a credit-monitoring subscription. Doesn’t matter. Just check the box which says “I have credit monitoring and will have it for 6 months” and you’ll get your $125. I have never paid for credit monitoring - accounts get hacked with enough regularity that I seem to get about 1 free year per year. :rolleyes: I think my current service is via Wells Fargo and one of their glorious clusterfucks. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/8 "2019-07-25T17:42:10Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > The $125 has conditions attached. You’re only eligible if you already have a credit-monitoring subscription. They don’t appear to ask for any documentation to prove you already have credit monitoring, though. I’m sure some people will cheat and ask for the $125 even though they’re not eligible. I wonder if they have some other way to verify you have a credit monitoring subscription. I do already have “free” credit monitoring as part of my AAA membership (which is really just a marketing trick to try to upsell you to a package that you do pay for). I wondered if that might count, but they probably really meant people who paid for credit monitoring as a result of the breach. So I picked the free credit monitoring. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/9 "2019-07-25T17:45:11Z")
> [@pohjonen](#): > > I’m wondering if Credit Karma counts. They are indeed a credit monitoring service, but I doubt if that’s what they mean since it’s free. My credit monitoring service is via **kayaker LTD**. I am awaiting my check in the mail. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/10 "2019-07-25T17:45:41Z")
My philosophy has always been to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. I chose the $125 and didn’t give a shit about whether I actually have free credit monitoring, and am so not worried that equifax will bother to trace it. I mean, what - I’m not going to get the $125 I don’t already have? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/11 "2019-07-25T17:48:24Z")
> [@Equifax](#): > > Based on the information you provided, our records indicate that your personal information was not impacted by this incident. No $125 for me; but I’m happy to see I was not compromised. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/12 "2019-07-25T18:01:04Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No $125 for me; but I’m happy to see I was not compromised. How did you work _that_ out?! > [@Equifax](#): > > OMG, **kayaker** , you are totally fucked. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/13 "2019-07-25T18:06:15Z")
Not super thrilled with giving my last name and last 6 digits of my SSN to this random website. Have we learned nothing? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/14 "2019-07-25T18:10:16Z")
I put in a claim for $125–I have some kind of credit monitoring with my credit card, so I guess that counts. Actually the major impact to me was the 4 days I spent trying to remove the freeze I put on when the breach was originally announced. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/15 "2019-07-25T18:15:48Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Not super thrilled with giving my last name and last 6 digits of my SSN to this random website. Have we learned nothing? [There really isn’t much to learn, other than there’s little you can do except react when it happens.](http://money.com/money/5217379/how-to-protect-personal-information/) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/16 "2019-07-25T18:20:51Z")
I’m not sure if I have credit monitoring or not. I’ve used Quizzle in the past but that was just a freebie credit rating check. I also have Farmers Insurance watching out for me for identity theft but don’t know if that’s the same. Edit: like **WildaBeast** , I also have AAA membership. I am so confused now. I’d have to dig through piles of tiny text and paperwork. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/17 "2019-07-25T18:21:21Z")
Guys. It’s a simple check box. Just click it and get your $125. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/18 "2019-07-25T18:30:11Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Guys. It’s a simple check box. Just click it and get your $125. This. Nobody is going to be verifying. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/19 "2019-07-25T18:35:10Z")
If the breach affected 147 million Americans, and each could get up to $125 apiece, then shouldn’t it be something more like a total payout of up to $18 billion? (which might make the company go broke) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/20 "2019-07-25T18:38:03Z")
Not my problem. And, again, if they verify and decide I don’t get my $125, I’m out… what? A free credit monitoring service? I’ll take that chance. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591.md?page=2)