About 37,000 Americans may qualify for benefits from a proposed $2.2 million Equifax class-action settlement involving duplicate collection accounts on consumer credit reports. Eligible class members who experienced qualifying harm could receive up to $600.
The settlement is limited to consumers identified by Equifax after the same collection account allegedly appeared more than once on certain reports in 2022. Cash claims must be submitted by September 1, 2026.
Key settlement details
- Settlement fund: $2.2 million
- Potential class members: 37,651
- Maximum expected payment: Up to $600
- Claim deadline: September 1, 2026
- Final approval hearing: October 6, 2026
Who qualifies for the Equifax settlement?
The settlement covers US consumers whom Equifax identified as having received a Duplicate Reporting Letter in August or September 2022.
The letter stated that a duplicate collection account may have appeared in the consumer’s Equifax file when a third party requested the report. Settlement notices sent by mail or email include a Notice ID, generally beginning with “EQB,” and a PIN.
This is not an open claim for every Equifax customer. Having a different credit-report error or participating in an earlier Equifax settlement does not establish eligibility.
What led to the lawsuit?
The case is Bradberry v. Equifax Information Services LLC, Case No. 1:22-CV-04754-MLB, in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Plaintiff Charmayne Bradberry alleged that a $305 collection account appeared multiple times on her Equifax report in 2022. She claimed the duplication reduced her credit scores and contributed to the denial of a mortgage application.
The lawsuit alleges Equifax failed to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Equifax denies wrongdoing, and the court has not decided which side is correct.
How much could eligible consumers receive?
Class members who submit valid claims affirming that they were harmed by the duplicate reporting are expected to receive up to $600. The exact amount will depend on the number of approved claims and the money remaining after settlement expenses.
The fund will also cover administration costs, proposed attorneys’ fees of $733,333.33 and litigation expenses of up to $75,000. Equifax separately agreed to pay $425,000 in legal fees connected with changes to its reporting practices.
For that reason, the advertised $600 figure is a maximum estimate rather than a guaranteed payment.
How to submit a claim
Eligible consumers can file through the official Duplicate Account FCRA Settlement website using the Notice ID and PIN included in their notice.
A paper claim form can also be printed and mailed according to the settlement administrator’s instructions. Filing is free, and claimants must truthfully affirm that the duplicate reporting caused qualifying harm.
The deadline is September 1, 2026. Class members can also use the website to update their contact information and select an available payment method.
Every settlement has different requirements. The Amazon FTC settlement claim process, for example, follows its own eligibility rules and deadline.
Credit monitoring is available without a cash claim
All class members who remain in the settlement will receive six months of Equifax Complete credit monitoring, even if they do not request cash.
The service includes credit-report and score monitoring, alerts about important changes and up to $500,000 in coverage for certain identity-theft-related expenses. The benefit is valued at $59.70.
This differs from the Krispy Kreme data breach settlement benefits, which are connected to exposed personal information and eligible losses rather than duplicate credit reporting.
What else has Equifax agreed to do?
Equifax agreed to remove duplicate collection accounts connected with the identified issue and promptly delete any affected duplicates that remain.
The company also agreed to continue implemented procedures intended to prevent the same collection account from appearing more than once on a consumer report for six months.
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What happens if a class member does nothing?
An eligible person who does nothing will not receive cash but can still receive the credit-monitoring benefit. Remaining in the settlement also releases certain legal claims involving the duplicate reporting.
Consumers who want to preserve their right to pursue a separate lawsuit must request exclusion by September 1. Anyone who excludes themselves will receive neither cash nor credit monitoring.
Class members may instead object while remaining in the settlement. Objections must follow the court notice and be submitted by the same September 1 deadline.
When will payments be distributed?
A final approval hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta. The hearing date or format could change.
No payment date has been announced. Benefits will be distributed only after the court approves the settlement and any appeals are resolved.
This case is separate from the settlement arising from Equifax’s 2017 data breach. Consumers should verify the case name, official website and Notice ID before responding to messages or providing personal information.
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