Equifax put your information at risk. Why let them get away with it?
In 2017, poor security processes at Equifax led to a huge data breach. But Equifax hasn’t informed everyone involved.
- If you used an Equifax security product between 2015 and 2017, your data could be at risk
- Even if you never used Equifax directly, your data could be compromised if you applied for a loan, mortgage, etc. and the provider used Equifax to check your credit score
- The UK’s data protection regulator (ICO) has already found Equifax guilty
- Equifax will pay $1.4 billion to compensate victims in the US. We believe that UK consumers deserve compensation too.
Make a No-Win, No-Fee Equifax data breach claim
We are dealing with all Equifax data breach claims on a no-win, no-fee basis. So you don’t have to worry about costs. What’s more, if you win, we won’t charge you a “success fee”. This means there are no solicitor’s fees win or lose.
There are strict time limits in place for making Equifax breach compensation claims, so it’s important to act now.
Not sure if your information was included in the Equifax data breach?
Equifax knows exactly who was impacted by this breach. But you have to ask Equifax if you were involved. This is called making a Subject Access Request (SAR). To keep the process straightforward, Hayes Connor can make a SAR on your behalf.
REGISTER TO FIND OUT IF YOU WERE INVOLVED.
About Hayes Connor Solicitors
At Hayes Connor, we are true experts in data breach law. This is all we do, and we have been doing it longer than most other solicitors. What’s more, we have been working to defend consumer rights for over 50 years. As well as our experienced lawyers, our team also includes some of the UK’s best data breach barristers. This ensures our clients get the very best level of legal support available.
To become part of the Equifax group action, you will need to register via our form. There are no costs to sign-up and no obligation to proceed.
What else do you need to know about the Equifax data breach?
FAQs about this case
What happened in the Equifax data breach?
The Equifax data breach happened when hackers gained access to the private details of 146 million people in the US. While Equifax said that its systems in the UK were not affected, it did admit that a file stored in the US may have been accessed. As such, up to 15 million UK individuals could have had their details breached.
What data was exposed in the breach?
The data included names, address, dates of birth, and credit card numbers. Some driving licence numbers and some email addresses were also included in the breach. Also, for some individuals, their Equifax credit services account info may have been exposed. In addition to the above data, this means that their username, password, secret question and answer could be breached. Some credit card payment amounts could also have been compromised.
When was the Equifax data breach reported?
The Equifax data breach was announced in September 2017.
How do I know if I was involved in the Equifax data breach?
Equifax wrote to 693,665 UK customers confirming that they had their data breached. Equifax also wrote to a further 167,431 UK consumers whose landline telephone numbers were already published in the public Phone Book and were accessed as part of the cyberattack. If you are one of the people who have received such a letter, you can now make a claim for Equifax data breach compensation.
However, many victims will not have received a letter from Equifax. If you think that you have been involved in the Equifax data breach, but you haven’t received a letter, Hayes Connor can ask Equifax if your data was included in the breach.
Who is responsible for the data breach?
While Equifax was the victim of a cyber-attack, it is the one who controlled your personal information. Poor security processes allowed the breach to happen, so Equifax is responsible.
What is happening with the investigation?
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) investigation revealed multiple security failures at the credit reference agency. In response, Equifax was fined £500,000. However, the investigation was carried out under the Data Protection Act 1998 rather than the current General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the £500,000 fine is the maximum allowed under the previous legislation. So it could be argued that Equifax got off lightly.
What should I do after getting an Equifax letter informing me that my data was put at risk?
Register via our online form for further advice about what to do. We will keep your details (securely of course!) and, now Equifax has been fined, start your claim for compensation.
FAQs about making a compensation claim
Who can make a data breach compensation claim against Equifax?
Following the data breach, Equifax sent a letter to those affected, informing them that their data was put at risk. Everyone who has received this letter can claim compensation. However, since the hack was first uncovered, Equifax has admitted that far more people were put at risk than first thought. If you are in any way concerned, contact Hayes Connor Solicitors and let us know. We will check if you have had your data breached. Once we have established that your data has been violated, we can start the claims procedure on your behalf.
Can I claim compensation from the ICO for the Equifax data breach?
After finding a series of data protection failures at the company, the ICO imposed a penalty of £500,000 on Equifax. However, while it has the potential to issue fines, the regulator does not give any of this money to the victims of the data breach.
How do I claim compensation for the Equifax data breach?
Register with Hayes Connor Solicitors ASAP. This guarantees that you will form part of the compensation claims that will be lodged by us. There are strict time limits in place for making data breach claims, so it’s important to act now.
How much compensation will I get?
While each case is different, if successful, it is expected that each person will be able to claim between £1,000 and £2,500. However, this could be even higher for people who have had their financial data stolen or who have suffered significant distress.
Will I definitely get compensation?
We cannot say that you will definitely get compensation, but Equifax has already been found to have breached people’s data and needs to be held responsible by compensating for any losses, distress and inconvenience caused. In the US, Equifax will pay $1.4 billion to compensate affected consumers in a similar action.
How long do I have to claim compensation?
There are strict time limits in place for making data breach claims. So it’s important to act now.
FAQs about making a claim with Hayes Connor Solicitors
What evidence do I need to make an Equifax data breach claim with Hayes Connor?
To make the strongest possible claim on your behalf, we always ask for evidence to support your claim. We will ask for this whether or not you have a letter from Equifax. This could include things like:
- Evidence that you have received a letter from Equifax saying your details have been affected (where you have this)
- Evidence of any financial losses, distress, and/or inconvenience you have suffered as a result of the data breach. For example:
- Bank statements
- Correspondence (letters, emails, etc.) with banks, credit card providers, credit reference agencies, etc.
- Credit score reports (with dates of any dips)
- Details about medical appointments/prescriptions that relate to this data breach (e.g. due to distress/stress)
- Evidence of any fraudulent transactions, fraud attempts, alerts, cancelled cards that relate specifically to the card details breached
- Evidence of increased spam
- Anything else that may be relevant to support your claim
We would also seek confirmation that, as far as you are aware, your information was not put at risk by another data breach.
Is this No-Win, No-Fee?
Yes, we are dealing with these claims on a No-Win, No-Fee basis. This means that, if your claim is not successful, you won’t have to pay a penny. What’s more, if your claim is successful, we expect to be paid by the offending party (Equifax). So, as well as providing no-win, no-fee funding arrangements, we won’t charge you a “success fee”. This means there are no solicitor’s fees win or lose.
Are there any administration of other hidden charges?
There are no hidden charges or other administration fees.
Will my details be safe?
We understand that making a compensation claim can be stressful; especially where your sensitive information has already been breached. Our process is fully compliant with ICO guidance, and we never put your details at risk.
FAQs about staying safe after the Equifax data breach
How can I protect my finances?
To protect your money, you should contact your bank (or credit card provider) immediately if you are worried that your financial data has been exposed. You should also check your account for any unfamiliar transactions and alert your bank or card provider immediately if there is any suspicious activity. It’s also worth keeping an eye on your credit score for any unexpected dips and contacting all the major credit reference agencies to ensure credit isn’t taken out in your name.
Do I have to watch out for further attacks?
Yes. All too often, cyber-criminals get access to your name and email address following a data protection act breach. And they might use this to try and extract additional information from you (such as your banking details). As such, you must be on your guard following the Equifax data breach.
Always question uninvited approaches in case it’s a scam and don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic. Just because someone knows your details (such as your name and address or even your mother’s maiden name), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Crucially, understand that a legitimate bank or other financial organisation will never contact you ask for your PIN or full password, or ask you to move money to another account for fraud reasons.
What data protection best practices do I need to put in place?
If you are concerned that your data might be at risk, there are some steps you can take to stop the threat from escalating. For example, you could register with the Cifas protective registration service. You should also change your passwords and make sure your devices are protected by up-to-date internet security software.
FAQs about any losses you have suffered because of the Equifax data breach
What happens if I have suffered a loss due to the data breach?
You are entitled to claim for any losses you can link directly to the breach of data. For example, has your card been used without permission or are there any transactions on your bank statement that you haven’t made? Let us know about any losses, and we will include them in your claim. You can do this at any time up to the point of settlement, but you should let us know as soon as you are aware of any such loss.
Can I claim for psychological harm?
If the data breach has caused you stress or anxiety, then yes you can.
Will I get paid the same as everyone else in the group action?
Just because your case is part of a group action doesn’t mean that everyone will receive the same amount of compensation if successful. All claims are settled based on their merits, and you will receive what you are owed. As with any case, the value of your claim depends on the extent of your suffering.
FAQs about group actions
What is a group action claim?
A group action claim is where a group of people – sometimes even thousands of people – have been affected by the same issue. Group action cases are also known as class actions or multi-party actions.
What are the benefits of a group action claim?
A group action allows people with the same type of claim to bring it together on a collective basis to strengthen their overall position and make a big organisation take the matter seriously. This increases their chances of settlement or success in litigation.
What happens once I agree to be in the group claim?
In effect, you become a part of a “family” of claims brought together to strengthen your position and your case. Once you join, we manage your case and secure the best result possible for you.