Deadline: November 29, 2026

$100 to $400 Equifax Hard Inquiry Settlement (No proof)

By eosguide editorial  ·  Last updated

$100 to $400 Equifax Hard Inquiry Settlement (No proof)

Claim about $100 to $400 from the $30M Equifax hard inquiry settlement. No proof needed. File by Nov 29, 2026. Equifax's reply to your dispute was, more or less, "take it up with the creditor." This time, the reply comes with money.

Deadline: November 29, 2026
File Your Claim →
Applies to Nationwide
You may qualify You disputed a hard inquiry on your Equifax credit report between October 4, 2016 and March 27, 2026, and received a settlement notice.
Main deadline November 29, 2026
Benefit A share of a $30 million fund, estimated at about $100 to $400 depending on your group.
Proof required No

What happened

Class period: Certified Group: October 4, 2016 through March 27, 2026. General Dispute Group: August 31, 2021 through March 27, 2026.

  • Consumers disputed hard inquiries on their Equifax credit reports, saying the credit checks were not authorized
  • The lawsuits claim Equifax did not contact the companies that pulled the reports and did not remove the disputed inquiries
  • Equifax sent some consumers a letter saying inquiries are "a factual record of file access" and to contact the creditor
  • Plaintiffs claim this violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and similar New York and New Jersey laws
  • Equifax denies all wrongdoing but agreed to a $30 million settlement that resolves four lawsuits
  • About 3 million people are in the Settlement Class

What you can get

Certified Group payment

About $300

Estimate, final amount depends on number of claims

General Dispute Group payment

About $100

Estimate, final amount depends on number of claims

New York Subclass payment

About $400

Estimate, final amount depends on number of claims

After the claim

What exposed data can still matter later?

Filing a claim helps with this settlement. Some exposed data, like a Social Security number or date of birth, can still be misused later. Pick what was mentioned in this breach to see what monitoring may help.

Social Security number Date of birth Financial account Login credentials Medical information Personal info

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Key dates

Action Date What it means
Claim deadline November 29, 2026 Last day to file a claim
Opt out November 20, 2026 Keep your right to sue separately
Object November 20, 2026 Tell the court you disagree
Final hearing December 10, 2026 Judge decides whether to approve

Who may qualify

  • You live in the United States or its territories
  • Equifax's records show it received your dispute of a hard inquiry between August 31, 2021 and March 27, 2026 (General Dispute Group)
  • Or Equifax received your mailed hard inquiry dispute between October 4, 2016 and March 27, 2026, coded it "not mine" or "unauthorized," and sent you a letter saying inquiries are a factual record of file access (Certified Group)
  • New York residents who got that letter between November 27, 2017 and September 10, 2024 may also be in the New York Subclass
  • You received a mailed or email notice with a Claim Number and PIN

How to file

  1. Find the Claim Number and PIN on your mailed or email notice
  2. Go to the claim form page on the official settlement website
  3. Enter your Claim Number and PIN exactly as printed, then click "Next"
  4. Complete all parts, check at least one box in Section III, and sign under oath
  5. Choose electronic payment or confirm your mailing address for a paper check
  6. Submit by November 29, 2026
  7. No notice but think you qualify? Contact the Settlement Administrator

Filed this claim?

Save the claim ID, deadline, payout notes, and official link in the free Settlement Claim Tracker. It stores entries in your browser, with no account needed.

Add to Tracker →

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Proof required

  • No supporting documents are required, since Equifax's records decide who is in the class
  • Claim Number and PIN from your mailed or email notice
  • Your signature under oath on the Claim Form

Payment timing

Payments are sent after the Court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. You can choose electronic payment on the claim form, or a paper check will be mailed by USPS.

Important links

Contact

Phone: (833) 244-4150
Email: questions@EquifaxDisputeClassAction.com
Mail: Hines v. Equifax, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 16, West Point, PA 19486

Extra details

  • Payment amounts are estimates based on typical claim rates and may end up lower or higher
  • Payments are not automatic, so you must file a claim to get paid
  • Log in to the claim form with your Claim Number and PIN to see which group you are in
  • New York Subclass members may have received notice about this case in August or November 2025
  • The settlement resolves four lawsuits: Hines, Rivera, Oblack, and Neubauer
  • Class Counsel will ask for up to $10 million in attorneys' fees, up to $260,000 in expenses, and up to $60,000 in service awards, all paid from the fund
  • Class Counsel's fee request will be available on October 20, 2026
  • Notice of Intention to Appear deadline: November 26, 2026
  • Final approval hearing: December 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., U.S. District Court, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY. It may move or go virtual, so check the official site
  • Do not contact Equifax or the Court for information, contact the Settlement Administrator instead

FAQ

Who qualifies for the Equifax hard inquiry settlement?
People in the U.S. whose hard inquiry dispute Equifax received during the class period, based on Equifax's records. If you got a mailed or email notice, you are in the Settlement Class.
How much money can I get?
Estimates are about $300 for the Certified Group, about $100 for the General Dispute Group, and about $400 for the New York Subclass. Final amounts depend on how many people file.
Do I need proof to file a claim?
No. Equifax's own records decide who is in the class. For once, those records are working in your favor.
What is the deadline to file?
You must submit your Claim Form by November 29, 2026.
How do I know which group I am in?
Log in to the claim form with the Claim Number and PIN from your notice. The site will show your group.
What if I did not get a notice?
If you think you qualify but have no Claim Number and PIN, contact the Settlement Administrator at (833) 244-4150 or questions@EquifaxDisputeClassAction.com.
What happens if I do nothing?
You get no money, and you still give up your right to sue Equifax over these claims. That is the worst deal on the table.
When will I get paid?
Payments go out after the Court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. The final approval hearing is December 10, 2026.

Use the official website Always confirm details on the official site. If something feels off, stop and verify before sharing personal info.

Info only. Verify details on the official site. Not legal, financial, or tax advice. Legal

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