# 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:** 2
**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, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/21 "2019-07-25T18:39:39Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > 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) I’ve participated in 5 or 6 class action suits against junk faxers, receiving a check for 1-2 hundred each time. The possibility of the company going broke existed each time, but my sleep schedule was never affected! ---
**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, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/22 "2019-07-25T18:49:37Z")
From Equifax’s latest 10k: > [@](#): > > During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded $164.0 million of pre-tax expenses related to the 2017 cybersecurity incident and insurance recoveries of $50.0 million for net expenses of $114.0 million. Expenses include costs to investigate and remediate the 2017 cybersecurity incident and legal and other professional services related thereto, all of which were expensed as incurred. **Additionally, as a result of the 2017 cybersecurity incident, we offered free credit file monitoring and identity theft protection to all U.S. consumers**. We recorded the expenses necessary to provide this service to those who signed up during 2017. For additional information, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report. Go for the $125, team. You’re already eligible for the credit monitoring and all you’re doing is waiving $125 to get something they’ve offered, for free, to every single person in the country. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/23 "2019-07-25T18:51:40Z")
Can I waive my measly settlement and punch all of their Board of Directors in the face instead? ---
**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, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/24 "2019-07-25T19:05:51Z")
Just called insurance, yes I did and do have credit monitoring. I now have $125 on the way 🙂 ---
**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, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/25 "2019-07-25T19:07:36Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Can I waive my measly settlement and punch all of their Board of Directors in the face instead? 147 million punches to the face would amount to a lot of meat tenderizing… ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/26 "2019-07-25T19:32:01Z")
So when can I expect the $125? ---
**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, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/27 "2019-07-25T19:45:40Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > So when can I expect the $125? You may _expect_ it anytime you want. When and if it actually arrives, though… ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/28 "2019-07-25T20:37:02Z")
I remember freezing my credit, then needing to unfreeze it, so I certainly spent time doing that. I don’t know if my time worrying counts. But what I don’t recall is the exact time frame, so I’m not sure what month/years to enter into the boxes. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/29 "2019-07-25T21:43:53Z")
I have credit monitoring as part of a settlement due to a data breach of Federal records, so I’m pretty sure I qualify. In any case, it doesn’t hurt to apply; the worst that can happen is I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Caldazar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Caldazar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldazar)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/30 "2019-07-25T22:32:59Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > So when can I expect the $125? Next year. The FTC’s summary page on the issue is here: [https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/equifax-data-breach-settlement](https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/equifax-data-breach-settlement) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/31 "2019-07-25T23:26:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My credit monitoring service is via **kayaker LTD**. I am awaiting my check in the mail. Mine is through any bank or credit card company the thieves try to get credit from. Good luck, slimeball! ---
**Author:** ![txtumbleweed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@txtumbleweed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txtumbleweed)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/32 "2019-07-26T02:53:23Z")
Reading through the settlement, as usual the lawyers win, with what looks like 4 firms splitting $77.5 million (25%) of the settlement and another $3 million in expenses. The class representatives (I suspect lawyers or friends of same) are getting $2500 each. The rest of us are splitting whatever is left on a pro rata basis, so receiving less than $125 is possible depending on how many people sign up. Although the settlement also seems to increase if less than the expected number of folks sign up you could receive more. I will admit that at least there is some actual money involved and I look forward to the check. I think the last class action I was notified I was a part of had lawyers receiving about $10-million and I was getting recalculated financial reports from whatever company they had sued claiming the financials were wrong. ---
**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 26, 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/837591/33 "2019-07-26T04:19:15Z")
Well, I did file a claim since they said I was “impacted.” I can’t see passing up a chance to stick it to Equifax in some small way. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/34 "2019-07-26T05:00:31Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > I remember freezing my credit, then needing to unfreeze it, so I certainly spent time doing that. I don’t know if my time worrying counts. But what I don’t recall is the exact time frame, so I’m not sure what month/years to enter into the boxes. Personally, I seemed to have spent exactly 10 hours worrying. I was most worried in or around September 2017. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/35 "2019-07-26T13:11:50Z")
I was not impacted. Might be because I lived 16 years overseas in the lead up to the data breach and had no US credit accounts. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/36 "2019-07-26T15:32:08Z")
I stopped using credit cards decades ago. I use a debit card, use automatic drafting for all my bills, and pay mortgage. I don’t get the need for credit monitoring. I’ve never been in a situation where my credit status came into play. Maybe I live too spartan, but at least I haven’t gotten my identity stolen yet. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/37 "2019-07-26T15:40:54Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > I stopped using credit cards decades ago. I use a debit card, use automatic drafting for all my bills, and pay mortgage. I don’t get the need for credit monitoring. I’ve never been in a situation where my credit status came into play. Maybe I live too spartan, but at least I haven’t gotten my identity stolen yet. Even if your credit status never comes into play, you could end up dealing with the fallout if someone opens an account in your name. Sooner or later the people that are owed money are going to come looking for you. If you never (or rarely) do anything that involves your credit report, it would be wise to lock/freeze them. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/38 "2019-07-26T17:49:54Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Even if your credit status never comes into play, you could end up dealing with the fallout if someone opens an account in your name. Sooner or later the people that are owed money are going to come looking for you. > > If you never (or rarely) do anything that involves your credit report, it would be wise to lock/freeze them. Even if you use it, it’s smart to leave them frozen. It’s the best security to protect yourself from having someone opening up a line of credit in your name. I’m not sure we will ever need to open another line of credit in my lifetime, so it’s a no-brainer for my wife and I. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/39 "2019-07-26T21:35:34Z")
I got home today to find a check for about $100 waiting in my mailbox for a different class-action lawsuit that I didn’t even know I was part of. Yay for free money. Had to look it up, but it appears BP was ripping me off at the gas pump. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-u-s-straight-dope-readers-can-get-free-125-in-reality-5-equifax-data-breach-settlement/837591/40 "2019-07-26T22:37:49Z")
Thanks to the OP for the links. I filed for both my wife and I. [Previous 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=1) [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=3)