700Credit Class Action Lawsuits Filed, 5.8M SSNs Exposed – How to Join & Get Compensation

Over 5.8 million Americans had their Social Security numbers, names, addresses, and dates of birth stolen in a 700Credit data breach that lasted from July to October 2025. Multiple class action lawsuits have now been filed against the credit reporting company, alleging negligence for failing to protect consumer data. Hackers accessed customer information through a compromised third-party API that went undetected for months. 700Credit is offering 12 months of free credit monitoring through TransUnion.

If you applied for vehicle financing at an auto, RV, marine, or powersports dealership and received a breach notification, here’s what you need to know about the lawsuits and your legal rights.

What Is the 700Credit Data Breach?

700Credit—the largest provider of credit checks and identity verification for vehicle dealerships in North America—discovered on October 25, 2025, that hackers had been stealing customer data since July through a compromised third-party integration partner.

The breach occurred when an attacker compromised one of 700Credit’s third-party partners in July 2025 and discovered an exposed API (application programming interface) that allowed access to consumer information. The integration partner failed to notify 700Credit of the compromise, allowing the hackers to continue accessing data for months.

According to 700Credit Managing Director Ken Hill, approximately 20% of consumer data was stolen between May and October 2025 before the company shut down the exposed API.

What Data Was Compromised?

The stolen information includes highly sensitive personal data:

• Social Security numbers
• Full names
• Home addresses
• Dates of birth

This combination of data creates significant identity theft risk because Social Security numbers cannot be changed like passwords. Once exposed, they can be used for years to open fraudulent accounts, file fake tax returns, or access medical services.

Who Is Affected by the Breach?

Total impacted: 5.8 million individuals nationwide

Who qualifies: Consumers who applied for vehicle financing at dealerships that use 700Credit’s services, including:

• Auto dealerships
• RV dealers
• Powersports dealers (motorcycles, ATVs, etc.)
• Marine dealers (boats, watercraft)

Time period: If you applied for financing at any of these dealerships and your information was in 700Credit’s system between May and October 2025, you may be affected.

700Credit serves approximately 18,000-23,000 dealerships across North America, so the breach impacts customers from coast to coast.

Class Action Lawsuits Filed Against 700Credit

Multiple lawsuits have been filed against 700Credit in federal court, alleging the company failed to adequately protect consumer data.

Lawsuit Details

Filing location: US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

When filed: December 2025

Plaintiffs: Texas resident and others affected by the breach

Claims alleged:

• Negligence: Failing to implement adequate security measures to protect sensitive consumer data
• Breach of fiduciary duty: Failing to safeguard information entrusted to the company
• Violation of state consumer protection laws: Failing to comply with data security requirements
• Breach of implied contract: Failing to maintain reasonable security as consumers expected

According to the complaint, “Because of 700Credit’s negligence, victims will be at the mercy of cybercriminals going forward.”

What Damages Are Sought?

The lawsuits seek compensation for:

• Out-of-pocket costs for credit monitoring and identity theft protection
• Time spent monitoring accounts and addressing fraudulent activity
• Increased risk of identity theft and fraud
• Emotional distress and anxiety
• Diminished value of personal information
• Statutory damages under state data breach laws

How to Join the Class Action Lawsuit

If you received a data breach notification from 700Credit or a dealership, you may be eligible to join the class action:

Step 1: Confirm you were affected – If you received a notification letter, you’re likely part of the class.

Step 2: Save all documentation – Keep your notification letter, any correspondence with 700Credit, and records of any identity theft or fraud you experience.

Step 3: Contact a class action attorney – You can reach out to law firms handling the case or wait for official class action notices once the case is certified.

Step 4: Watch for class certification – Once the court certifies the class, you’ll receive official notice with instructions on how to participate.

No upfront costs: Class action attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you recover compensation.

What Is 700Credit Offering to Affected Individuals?

700Credit is providing the following to affected individuals:

12 Months Free Credit Monitoring

Provider: TransUnion

Services included:

• Credit monitoring on all three bureaus
• Identity theft protection
• Dark web monitoring
• $1 million identity theft insurance

Enrollment deadline: 90 days from receiving your notification letter

How to enroll: Follow the instructions in your notification letter or visit the dedicated breach notification page on 700Credit’s website

Consolidated Breach Notifications

700Credit filed a consolidated breach notice with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on behalf of all affected dealership clients. This means dealerships don’t need to file separate notices with the FTC or state attorneys general—700Credit handled it on their behalf.

What Should You Do If You’re Affected?

1. Enroll in free credit monitoring immediately – Don’t wait. The 90-day enrollment window is firm.

2. Place fraud alerts on your credit reports – Contact one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). They’re required to notify the other two. Fraud alerts last one year and can be renewed.

3. Consider a credit freeze – This prevents anyone (including you) from opening new credit in your name. You can temporarily lift the freeze when you need to apply for credit.

To freeze your credit, contact all three bureaus:

• Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services or 800-349-9960
• Experian: experian.com/freeze/center.html or 888-397-3742
• TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-freeze or 888-909-8872

4. Monitor your accounts closely – Check bank statements, credit card statements, and credit reports regularly for unauthorized activity.

5. File your taxes early – Tax-related identity theft is common with stolen SSNs. Filing early prevents fraudsters from filing fake returns in your name.

6. Document everything – Save copies of your breach notification, credit reports, correspondence with creditors, and any evidence of identity theft or fraud.

7. Report identity theft immediately – If you discover fraud:

• File a report at IdentityTheft.gov
• Contact local police to file a report
• Notify your bank and credit card companies
• Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit (800-908-4490)

Your Legal Rights as an Affected Individual

If your data was exposed in the 700Credit breach, you have several legal protections:

Right to Free Credit Reports

You’re entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com. After a data breach, you may be entitled to additional free reports.

Right to Join Class Action Lawsuits

You can participate in class action litigation without hiring your own attorney or paying upfront costs.

Right to Sue Individually

If you choose not to join the class action, you can opt out and pursue individual claims. This makes sense if you’ve suffered significant damages like actual identity theft.

Right to Compensation for Damages

Under state data breach laws and common law negligence principles, you may recover:

• Time spent addressing the breach (at an hourly rate)
• Out-of-pocket expenses for credit monitoring, freezes, and identity theft protection
• Costs of credit repair if fraud occurs
• Lost wages from time dealing with fraud
• Emotional distress damages in some states

What Federal and State Laws Apply?

Federal Laws

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Requires companies handling consumer credit information to maintain reasonable security.

FTC Act: Prohibits unfair and deceptive practices, including failure to adequately protect consumer data.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act: Requires financial institutions to protect consumer financial information.

State Data Breach Notification Laws

All 50 states have data breach notification laws requiring companies to notify affected individuals when sensitive personal information is compromised.

Michigan: Where the lawsuit was filed, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel stated: “It is important that anyone affected by this data breach takes steps as soon as possible to protect their information. A credit freeze or monitoring services can go a long way in preventing fraud.”

California, Texas, and other states: Have strong consumer protection laws that may provide additional remedies for data breach victims.

Similar Recent Data Breaches

The 700Credit breach follows a pattern of third-party vendor compromises affecting millions:

LexisNexis Settlement (2025): Agreed to pay $13.5 million to resolve a class action over incorrectly reporting consumers as deceased.

SoundCloud breach: Also involved a third-party vendor compromise exposing user data.

Pornhub breach: Similarly resulted from third-party vendor security failures.

These cases demonstrate that third-party API security is a major weakness across industries. Companies increasingly rely on external partners but fail to adequately vet their security practices.

Why Third-Party Breaches Are So Dangerous

The 700Credit breach highlights a troubling trend: companies outsource functions to third parties but retain responsibility for protecting consumer data.

What went wrong:

• 700Credit’s integration partner was compromised in July 2025
• The partner failed to notify 700Credit of the breach
• Hackers discovered an exposed API allowing data access
• The breach went undetected for months
• 700Credit’s monitoring didn’t catch the unauthorized access until October

Legal implications: Courts have held that companies cannot escape liability by blaming third-party vendors. Companies have a non-delegable duty to protect consumer data.

How Long Will the Lawsuit Take?

Data breach class actions typically follow this timeline:

Months 0-6: Multiple lawsuits filed and consolidated into one case

Months 6-18: Class certification proceedings

Months 18-36: Discovery and motion practice

Months 36-48: Settlement negotiations or trial

Months 48-60: Settlement approval and claims process

Expect 3-5 years before affected individuals receive compensation, though some cases settle earlier.

Potential Settlement Amounts

While no settlement has been reached, similar data breach settlements provide guidance:

Equifax (2017): $425 million settlement ($125 cash or free credit monitoring per person)

Capital One (2019): $190 million settlement (up to $25,000 for documented losses)

T-Mobile (2021): $350 million settlement ($25-$100 per person)

LexisNexis (2025): $13.5 million settlement (amount per person TBD)

With 5.8 million affected individuals, the 700Credit settlement (if reached) could be substantial.

FAQs About the 700Credit Data Breach

How do I know if I was affected?

If you applied for vehicle financing at a dealership between May and October 2025 and received a notification letter from 700Credit or the dealership, you were affected. You can also contact 700Credit directly to inquire.

What if I didn’t receive a notification letter?

700Credit is still in the process of notifying all affected individuals. If you applied for vehicle financing in 2025 and haven’t received a letter, contact the dealership or 700Credit to verify your status.

Is the free credit monitoring enough?

Twelve months of credit monitoring is helpful but may not be sufficient. Consider extending monitoring beyond 12 months and placing a credit freeze for maximum protection.

Can I sue 700Credit even if I haven’t experienced identity theft yet?

Yes. Courts have recognized that the increased risk of future identity theft is a compensable injury. You don’t need to wait until fraud occurs to have legal standing.

What if I already had credit monitoring?

You may be entitled to compensation for the cost of services you already paid for, or you can use the free 700Credit monitoring as additional protection.

Will joining the class action affect my ability to apply for vehicle financing?

No. Participating in the lawsuit will not impact your credit or ability to get financing.

What if the third-party partner caused the breach, not 700Credit?

700Credit is still legally responsible. Companies cannot escape liability by outsourcing data security to third parties.

How much money could I receive from the lawsuit?

This depends on the settlement amount, how many people file claims, and what damages you can document. Typical payouts in data breach settlements range from $25 to several hundred dollars per person.

Should I get a lawyer?

For a class action, you don’t need your own attorney—class counsel represents everyone. However, if you’ve suffered significant identity theft damages, consulting a personal attorney about an individual claim may be worthwhile.

What happens to the data now?

The stolen data is likely circulating on dark web forums where criminals buy and sell personal information. This is why long-term vigilance is essential.

What 700Credit Says About the Breach

In its official statement, 700Credit said:

“We regret to inform you that our industry was attacked again by a bad actor who had unauthorized access to some of our personally identifiable information including name, address and social security number.”

The company emphasizes:

• No indication of identity theft or fraud related to the breach (so far)
• No impact on 700Credit’s internal network
• Breach limited to the 700Dealer.com application layer
• No operational impact on business
• Cybersecurity experts engaged to investigate

However, legal experts note that the absence of reported fraud doesn’t mean victims won’t face identity theft in the future. Stolen SSNs can be used for years.

Contact Information

700Credit Breach Information: Visit www.700credit.com/notice for updates

To Report Identity Theft: IdentityTheft.gov or 877-438-4338

FTC Consumer Response Center: 877-382-4357

Credit Bureau Fraud Departments:

• Equifax: 800-525-6285
• Experian: 888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 800-680-7289

The Bottom Line on the 700Credit Breach

Over 5.8 million Americans had their Social Security numbers and personal information stolen in a data breach affecting credit reporting company 700Credit. The breach lasted from July to October 2025 after hackers compromised a third-party partner’s systems and accessed an exposed API.

Multiple class action lawsuits have been filed alleging 700Credit failed to adequately protect consumer data. Affected individuals are entitled to 12 months of free credit monitoring through TransUnion and may recover compensation through the lawsuits.

If you received a breach notification, enroll in credit monitoring immediately, consider a credit freeze, monitor your accounts closely, and keep all documentation. The lawsuits are ongoing, and affected individuals will receive notice if a settlement is reached.

Don’t ignore this breach. With Social Security numbers exposed, you face long-term identity theft risks that require vigilance for years to come.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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