Equifax Credit Reporting Error Settlement, Check If You Qualify — In re Equifax Fair Credit Reporting Act Litigation, No. 1:22-cv-3072-LMM-CCB

If Equifax sent you a notice, an estimated $95 to $280 may be waiting for you. Equifax agreed to pay $100,000,000 to settle claims that a 2022 coding error skewed credit data sent to lenders. Here’s how to file an Equifax settlement claim in In re Equifax Fair Credit Reporting Act Litigation, No. 1:22-cv-3072-LMM-CCB. The deadline is December 28, 2026.

Equifax Credit Reporting Error Settlement — Key Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$100,000,000, non-reversionary (unclaimed money doesn’t go back to Equifax)
Claim Deadline	December 28, 2026
Who Qualifies	Individuals in the United States whose credit score or credit attribute, as reported by Equifax to a third party, differed because of a coding issue between March 17 and April 8, 2022, per Equifax’s own analysis
Estimated Payout	$95 to $280 per person (plaintiffs’ estimate; the actual amount may be higher or lower)
Proof Required	No. The claim form asks for contact details, payment method and a signature
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved. Final approval hearing January 22, 2027
Court & Case Number	U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, No. 1:22-cv-3072-LMM-CCB
Law Alleged	Fair Credit Reporting Act
Administrator	Verita
Official Claim Site	EquifaxFairCreditReportingSettlement.com
Last Updated	September 30, 2026

Who Is Equifax and Why Are They Being Sued for a Credit Reporting Error?

Equifax is one of the three big credit bureaus, and lenders, insurers and other businesses use its data to decide whether to approve you. So an error there travels. Bad data went straight to the people deciding on your loan, insurance or service.

If a business checked your Equifax file in the spring of 2022, you may be exactly who this settlement is for.

What Did Equifax Do to Credit Reports Between March 17 and April 8, 2022?

For three weeks in spring 2022, a coding issue on one of Equifax’s servers affected the credit information it reported to third parties. Plaintiffs say that reached millions of Americans applying for loans, insurance or other services. Dates: March 17 to April 8, 2022.

The law at issue is the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which requires credit bureaus to follow “reasonable procedures to ensure the maximum possible accuracy” of what they report. In plain English, they have to take real steps to get your file right. Equifax denies it did anything wrong.

After almost four years of litigation, the parties agreed in 2026 to a compromise that avoids the cost and risk of a trial and appeals. The court hasn’t decided who’s right. That’s normal in a settlement.

You don’t have to have spotted an error on your credit report to be included.

Who Qualifies for the Equifax Credit Reporting Error Settlement?

Do I qualify for the Equifax settlement? Here’s exactly how to know if this case includes you.

• People in the United States whose Equifax-reported credit score or attribute was different because of the coding issue
• Anyone who received an email or mailed notice, which means Equifax’s records place you in the class
• Applicants for credit, insurance or other services during that three-week window, if Equifax’s analysis flagged their data

You wouldn’t qualify if you’re Equifax, one of its affiliates, employees, officers or directors, or a judge on the case. And if Equifax’s analysis didn’t flag your data, you’re outside the class.

Never got a notice? The settlement site doesn’t explain how to check, so call the administrator at 1-888-808-1542.

Did a lender or insurer pull your Equifax report in March or early April 2022? Then look for that notice.

Equifax Credit Report Errors Outside Georgia — Are You Still Covered?

The case is in federal court in Atlanta, but the class covers individuals across the United States. You don’t need to live in Georgia. Your address doesn’t decide anything; Equifax’s records do.

Not sure if you qualify for the Equifax credit reporting settlement? A free legal consultation with a consumer rights lawyer can help before the November 27, 2026 opt-out deadline.

How Much Can Equifax Credit Reporting Settlement Class Members Get? An Estimated $95 to $280 Per Person

Every class member who files a valid claim gets an equal share of what’s left of the fund. Plaintiffs estimate that at $95 to $280 per person, but they say the real number could be higher or lower. Nobody knows until the claims are counted.

What Pro-Rata Means for Your Equifax Lawsuit Settlement Check

Pro-rata means equal slices. More filers means smaller checks, and fewer filers means bigger ones, because nothing goes back to Equifax.

Checks go out by mail unless you file online and choose electronic payment, and nothing is paid until the court gives final approval. No date is set yet.

Quick tax note. Payments over $600 may appear on a 1099, and an estimated $95 to $280 sits well under that, but check with a tax professional to be sure.

Where the $100,000,000 Goes Before You Get Paid

Class Counsel will ask the court for up to $33,333,333 in fees and up to $500,000 in expenses. Subtract both and the fund is down to $66,166,667 before notice and administration costs come out. The court decides.

At $95 a claim, the money stretches to roughly 696,000 people, and at $280 it covers about 236,000 before administration costs trim both. That’s my math.

You won’t pay extra. For a fuller breakdown of the costs, fees and taxes you might run into in a case like this, read Do I Have to Pay to Join a Class Action Lawsuit? Costs, Fees & Taxes.

Honestly, that cut is normal for a class action. It’s still worth knowing before you decide whether the check is worth your time.

How to File Your Equifax Credit Reporting Settlement Claim — Step by Step

1. Go to EquifaxFairCreditReportingSettlement.com and click “File Your Claim.” That takes you to the Verita claim portal.
2. Enter the Claim ID and PIN from your email or mailed notice, plus your name, address and email.
3. Choose how you want to be paid. Electronic payment is only available if you file online. Otherwise it’s a paper check.
4. Skip the proof. The form has three parts: your information, your payment method and your signature.
5. Submit, and save any confirmation the site shows you.
6. Prefer paper? Mail the completed claim form, postmarked by December 28, 2026, to Equifax FCRA Litigation, P.O. Box 301132, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132.

Tell the administrator if your contact information changes after you file. To file a legal claim like this one, that’s 89 days from today, and it’s a form, not a lawsuit.

Should Equifax Class Members Opt Out or Object Before November 27, 2026?

What Opting Out of the Equifax Settlement Actually Means

Opting out means no payment and you keep the right to sue Equifax on your own. Most people shouldn’t do it without legal advice. Mail a signed request, postmarked by November 27, 2026, to the administrator’s P.O. Box above, with your name, address, email, the case name and number, and a statement that you want out. No company can do it for you.

How to Object to the Equifax Settlement

Objecting means you stay in the class and tell the court you disagree, including with the fee request. File it or postmark it by November 27, 2026. Include the case name and number, your name, address and email, your reasons, any supporting documents, and your signature. Send it to Chief Judge Leigh Martin May, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, 75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, and to the administrator.

Talk to a class action lawsuit attorney before November 27, 2026 if you’re considering either option.

Equifax Credit Reporting Error Settlement — Key Dates, 2026

Milestone	Date
Settlement Proposed	July 31, 2026 (date in the executed Settlement Agreement’s file name; signature pages not read)
Claims Period Opens	UNVERIFIED — opening date not stated on the settlement site
Claim Filing Deadline	December 28, 2026
Opt-Out Deadline	November 27, 2026
Objection Deadline	November 27, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	January 22, 2027, 2:00 PM, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta
Expected Payment Date	UNVERIFIED — payments follow final approval; no date announced

Equifax Credit Reporting Error Settlement — Frequently Asked Questions, No. 1:22-cv-3072-LMM-CCB

Do I need a lawyer to file an Equifax credit reporting settlement claim?

No. Four firms already represent the class: Girard Sharp, Gibbs Mura, DiCello Levitt and Caplan Cobb. They’re paid from the $100,000,000 fund if the court approves, so you owe nothing extra. You can hire your own attorney at your own expense.

Is the Equifax credit reporting settlement legitimate?

Yes. Judge Leigh Martin May of the Northern District of Georgia preliminarily approved it, and the notice says it isn’t a solicitation from a lawyer. Use EquifaxFairCreditReportingSettlement.com, and treat any other site asking for your details with suspicion.

When will Equifax settlement payments be sent?

Only after the January 22, 2027 final approval hearing, and only once the settlement becomes final and effective. No payment date has been announced. The hearing could move, so check the settlement site for updates.

What if I missed the Equifax claim deadline?

Claims must be filed online or postmarked by December 28, 2026. Miss it and you get no payment, but you’re still bound by the settlement and release, so you can’t sue Equifax over the 2022 coding issue.

Will my Equifax settlement payment go on a 1099?

Payments over $600 may appear on a 1099. Plaintiffs estimate Equifax payments at $95 to $280, so yours would likely fall under that line. The estimate could change once claims are counted, so check with a tax professional.

How much will I get from the Equifax settlement?

Plaintiffs estimate $95 to $280 per person, but it could be higher or lower. Each valid claim gets an equal share of the $100,000,000 fund after up to $33,333,333 in fees, up to $500,000 in expenses and administration costs.

What if I never received an Equifax settlement notice?

The class is defined by Equifax’s own records of who was affected between March 17 and April 8, 2022. The settlement site doesn’t explain a lookup process, so call the administrator at 1-888-808-1542 and ask.

Can I sue Equifax myself instead of taking the settlement?

Yes, if you opt out by mailing a signed request postmarked by November 27, 2026. You’d get no payment from this settlement, Class Counsel wouldn’t represent you, and lawsuits often have filing time limits.

Sources Used in This Equifax Credit Reporting Error Settlement Article

• Settlement Administrator (Verita) — Settlement website home page, viewed September 30, 2026: https://equifaxfaircreditreportingsettlement.com/
• Settlement Administrator — Frequently Asked Questions, viewed September 30, 2026: https://equifaxfaircreditreportingsettlement.com/frequently-asked-questions.aspx
• Settlement Administrator — Important Dates and Deadlines, viewed September 30, 2026: https://equifaxfaircreditreportingsettlement.com/important-dates-and-deadlines.aspx
• Settlement Administrator — Long Form Notice (version dated 09/23/26 in file name): https://www.equifaxfaircreditreportingsettlement.com/media/7418284/v7_eqf_notice_092326_final.pdf
• Settlement Administrator — Claim Form (version dated 09/23/26 in file name): https://www.equifaxfaircreditreportingsettlement.com/media/7432961/v8_eqf_claim_092326_final-web.pdf
• Settlement Administrator — Online claim portal: https://www.veritaconnect.com/EquifaxFairCreditReportingSettlement/
• Settlement Administrator — Case Documents (Settlement Agreement, preliminary approval order; not read in full): https://equifaxfaircreditreportingsettlement.com/case-documents.aspx
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia (PACER) — docket for No. 1:22-cv-3072-LMM-CCB

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the official settlement website, Long Form Notice and Claim Form on September 30, 2026. Last Updated: September 30, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.