OpenNo proof neededConsumer Protection

Equifax Hard Inquiry Dispute Settlement

Estimated payout

Up to $400

About $100 to $400

Deadline

Nov 29, 2026 · 19 days left

Proof

No proof needed

Unlock to file this claim

Equifax agreed to a $30 million fund to resolve four lawsuits alleging it did not reasonably investigate consumer disputes of hard inquiries on their credit files, or remove the disputed inquiries, as the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires. Equifax denies the claims.

Who qualifies

U.S. residents whose dispute of one or more hard inquiries was received by Equifax between August 31, 2021 and March 27, 2026 (the general group), or who mailed an inquiry dispute between October 4, 2016 and March 27, 2026 that Equifax coded as 'not mine' or 'unauthorized' and answered with a letter saying inquiries are a factual record of file access (the certified group). New York residents in the certified group form a subclass that receives a higher payment.

What you need

No documents. Class members were identified from Equifax's records and mailed a notice with a claim number and PIN. The administrator estimates about $100 for the general group, about $300 for the certified group and about $400 for the New York subclass, based on typical claim rates. Actual amounts may be higher or lower.

How to file

Submit a claim form online using the claim number and PIN from your notice by November 29, 2026. You can choose electronic payment or a mailed check. The opt-out and objection deadline is November 20, 2026, and the final approval hearing is December 10, 2026.

Case details and sources+

Settlement fund: $30,000,000
Payout terms: About $100 to $400
Claim deadline: Nov 29, 2026
Opt-out deadline: Nov 20, 2026
Final approval hearing: Dec 10, 2026
Class period: Disputes received Aug 31, 2021 to Mar 27, 2026 (general group); Oct 4, 2016 to Mar 27, 2026 (certified group)
Case name: Hines v. Equifax Information Services LLC
Case number: 1:19-cv-06701
Court: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Last reviewed: Nov 7, 2026

Sources

Official settlement website

SettleClub is independent and is not a law firm, court, government agency or the settlement administrator. Eligibility, dates and amounts are decided by the court and administrator and can change; payment figures are estimates. This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Confirm details on the official site before filing. Equifax Information Services LLC and related names are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify this settlement.

SettleClub Pro

Unlock eligibility, filing steps and the official link

One recovered claim usually covers it. Cancel any time.

$14.99/month

Every match, every reminder, month to month.

Every settlement matched to you, not just the first
Reminders before each deadline you're tracking
New-settlement alerts for the brands you picked
Payout tracker and your lifetime total

Continue · $14.99/month

Create an account, then pay securely with Stripe. Already a member? Sign in

Equifax Hard Inquiry Dispute Settlement

Unlock eligibility, filing steps and the official link

More in Consumer Protection