Equifax Data Breach

DiCello Levitt achieved a record $1.5 billion settlement for consumers harmed by one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history.

When credit reporting giant Equifax failed to safeguard its systems, it triggered one of the most catastrophic data breaches ever recorded. More than 147 million people had their personal and financial data compromised—including Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and even driver’s license and credit card numbers. DiCello Levitt played a central role in holding Equifax accountable and securing lasting protections for millions of Americans.

What Happened?

In September 2017, Equifax announced a massive cybersecurity failure that exposed highly sensitive data on nearly half the U.S. population. Hackers accessed personal and financial records, leaving consumers vulnerable to identity theft and financial fraud. Hundreds of lawsuits followed, demanding accountability and justice.

Who Was Affected?

The scope was staggering: More than 147 million Americans had their private data compromised. For many, the fallout included years of vigilance against identity theft, the burden of credit monitoring, and countless hours spent restoring their financial security.

Landmark Settlement and Consumer Relief

In 2019, DiCello Levitt’s Co-Lead Counsel team secured a landmark $1.5 billion settlement. This included up to $505.5 million in direct consumer benefits, such as:

Cash compensation for time spent dealing with the breach.
Coverage for out-of-pocket losses incurred reasonably related to the breach.
Credit monitoring or an in-kind payment for those who did not need credit monitoring.
Identity restoration services.

The settlement also required Equifax to invest at least $1 billion in data security upgrades over five years, an unprecedented level of reform. The value of these services to consumers was estimated to exceed $282 billion at retail cost.

This case is In re Equifax Inc. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation. The DiCello Levitt team was led by Amy Keller and included Adam Levitt, Mark Abramowitz, and Justin Hawal.

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