Data breaches have become a defining risk of modern digital life. The Equifax breach is one of the most significant in recent memory — and if you've ever had an account with the affected service, your personal data may be circulating among cybercriminals right now.
This guide explains exactly what happened, what data was taken, and how you can check whether your information was exposed — for free, in 30 seconds.
What Happened?
The details of this breach are covered in the FAQ section below, where we answer the most important questions clearly and concisely. The key facts: who was affected, what data was taken, how attackers got in, and what the consequences have been.
Why Does This Still Matter?
Many people assume that because a breach happened years ago, the risk has passed. In reality, stolen data is sold, traded, and reused for years after a breach. Credentials from old breaches are used in credential stuffing attacks — automated attempts to log in to your other accounts using the same email and password combination.
If you reused the same password across multiple sites, one old breach can unlock dozens of your current accounts.
How to Check If You Were Affected
The fastest way is to use our free breach checker. Enter your email address and we'll scan it against known breach databases instantly — no signup required.
If your email appears in a breach, you'll see exactly which breaches affected it and what type of data was exposed. That tells you precisely where to start.
What to Do If You Were Affected
If your data was in this breach — or any breach — take these steps:
- Change the affected password immediately — especially if you reused it anywhere else.
- Enable two-factor authentication on every account that supports it, starting with email and banking.
- Check for suspicious activity on financial accounts if payment data was involved.
- Be alert for phishing — attackers use breach data to craft convincing personalised scam messages.
- Freeze your credit if your Social Security number, passport, or government ID was exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Equifax data breach happen?
Attackers exploited a known Apache Struts vulnerability in May 2017. Equifax failed to patch the vulnerability despite a warning issued months earlier. The breach was discovered in July 2017 and disclosed in September 2017.
What data was stolen in the Equifax breach?
Approximately 147 million Americans' records were exposed, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, driver's licence numbers, and about 209,000 credit card numbers. Some UK and Canadian residents were also affected.
How serious is a Social Security number breach?
Extremely serious. Unlike a password, your SSN is permanent. With it, criminals can open credit cards, take out loans, file fraudulent tax returns, and commit medical identity fraud in your name. If your SSN was exposed, place a credit freeze with all three major bureaus immediately.
How do I check if I was in the Equifax breach?
The FTC settlement included a lookup tool at ftc.gov/Equifax. You can also check your email via the free checker at Scan My Shadow and monitor your credit reports via AnnualCreditReport.com.
What was the result of the Equifax breach investigation?
Equifax reached a $575 million settlement with the FTC, CFPB, and state attorneys general. The settlement offered affected consumers up to $125 cash or free credit monitoring. Four Chinese military officers were later indicted for the attack.
Sources
- FTC – Equifax Data Breach Settlement
- FTC – Equifax breach lookup tool
- Have I Been Pwned – Equifax coverage