Alaskans could be due for financial restitution after a coalition of 50 attorneys general reached a major settlement with consumer reporting agency Equifax regarding a 2017 data breach at the company. According to a July 22 press release from the Alaska Department of Law, Equifax’s failure to maintain a reasonable security system enabled hackers to expose the data of 56% of American adults. The settlement includes a $1 million payout to the state of Alaska, which is part of a $175 million payment to all the states involved in the lawsuit.
“We continue to use all enforcement tools necessary and available to protect consumers from future security risks,” Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson said in the release. “The settlement to Alaska in the amount of $1 million is a step in the right direction.”
On Sept. 7, 2017, Equifax announced a data breach affecting more than 147 million consumers. Breached information included social security numbers, names, dates of birth, addresses, credit card numbers and, in some cases, drivers license numbers.
Consumers who are eligible for redress will be required to submit claims online, by mail or by phone.
For information on the terms of the settlement, as well as to file a claim, potential victims should go to https://www.equifaxbreachsettlement.com.
