In 2019, a massive data breach at Capital One exposed sensitive personal information of over 100 million people, making it one of the most significant breaches in U.S. financial history. If you applied for a Capital One credit card between 2005 and early 2019, your data may have been compromised.
To resolve legal claims, Capital One agreed to a $190 million settlement, which included payments to affected individuals and free identity protection services.
So — who qualifies for the payout? This in-depth guide covers everything you need to know:
- Who’s eligible
- How much money you could get
- How to enroll in free services
- Deadlines and current status
- Frequently asked questions
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What Was the Capital One Data Breach?
On July 19, 2019, Capital One discovered that a hacker gained unauthorized access to their cloud servers. Personal information from applications submitted between 2005 and early 2019 was stolen.
Data Exposed:
-
Names & addresses
-
Dates of birth
-
Phone numbers & email addresses
-
Social Security numbers (about 140,000 people)
-
Bank account numbers (about 80,000 people)
-
Credit scores & application data
A former tech employee was later arrested and convicted for the breach. Despite the quick response, millions of consumers were affected.
Settlement Overview
Key Facts:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Settlement Fund | $190 million |
| Final Court Approval | September 13, 2022 |
| Monetary Claim Deadline | September 30, 2022 |
| Identity Protection Service | Free through February 13, 2028 |
| Settlement Administrator | Epiq Systems, via capitalonesettlement.com |
The settlement aimed to:
- Compensate victims for documented losses & time spent
- Offer free identity protection & restoration
- Cover legal and administrative fees
Who Is Eligible for the Settlement?
If you meet all three conditions below, you are a class member and may have been eligible for a payout:
1. You applied for or held a Capital One credit card (or other account) between 2005 and early 2019.
2. Your personal information was impacted in the breach (you likely received a notice by mail or email).
3. You filed a valid claim before September 30, 2022.
Even if you missed the deadline for monetary claims, you are still eligible for free identity protection services through 2028.
How Much Money Could You Get?
Settlement payments depended on your losses, time spent, and supporting documentation.
Compensation Categories:
| Category | Details | Maximum Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-Pocket Losses | Documented expenses (fraud charges, credit monitoring, professional fees) | $25,000 |
| Time Spent | For dealing with breach-related issues | $25/hour, up to 15 hours (≈$375) |
| Flat Payment | For those with no documented losses | Average $50–$250 |
Reported Payouts:
-
First-round payments started Sept 28, 2023
-
Some individuals received $2,128.35
-
Second-round payments (averaging ~$34) went out Sept 2024
-
All checks became void by end of 2024
Claiming the Settlement
Key Deadlines:
- Submit claim: Sept 30, 2022
- Opt-out or object: July 7, 2022
- Cash checks: End of 2024
Unfortunately, new monetary claims are no longer accepted.
However, the settlement administrator continues to provide free identity defense services for all class members.
Free Identity Protection Services
Even if you didn’t file a monetary claim, you can still enroll in free identity protection and restoration services through Feb 13, 2028.
Services Include:
- Dark web & credit monitoring
- Fraud resolution support
- Identity restoration assistance
- Lost wallet help
- $1 million identity theft insurance
How to Enroll:
Call 833‑317‑4821 or 505‑896‑7416
Visit: capitalonesettlement.com and follow Pango enrollment instructions
All affected individuals are eligible — even if you missed the monetary claim deadline.
Settlement Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2019 | Breach occurred |
| July 2019 | Breach announced |
| July 2022 | Opt-out & objection deadline |
| Sept 2022 | Court approved settlement |
| Sept 2022 | Claims deadline |
| Sept 2023 | First payments sent |
| Sept 2024 | Second payments sent |
| Feb 2028 | Identity protection services end |
Why You Can’t Claim Money Now
The settlement process is closed. Claims could only be filed by Sept 30, 2022, and all payments were disbursed by late 2024.
However, ongoing identity protection is still available through Feb 2028.
Tips for Affected Individuals
- Enroll in the free identity protection if you haven’t already.
- Monitor your credit reports regularly.
- Set up fraud alerts or credit freezes if needed.
- Save all documentation related to the breach & settlement.
- Report any suspicious activity promptly.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Settlement Fund | $190 million |
| Eligible Individuals | ≈98 million U.S. residents |
| Claim Deadline | Sept 30, 2022 |
| Payment Timeline | 2023–2024 |
| Free Identity Protection | Through Feb 13, 2028 |
| Services Provided | Monitoring, restoration, $1M insurance |
Final Thoughts
The Capital One data breach was a wake‑up call about the importance of cybersecurity — and a reminder of the risks posed by stolen personal information.
While monetary claims are closed, affected individuals can still benefit from free identity protection and restoration services until 2028.
If you were impacted but never enrolled, take advantage of the ongoing benefits and safeguard your identity today.
Helpful Resources
Official Settlement Site: www.capitalonesettlement.com
FTC Identity Theft Resources: www.identitytheft.gov
Credit Reports: www.annualcreditreport.com
Sample FAQ
1. Is the Capital One settlement still paying out?
No — the monetary phase ended in late 2024. Payments are no longer being issued.
2. Who was eligible for payment?
Those who:
-
Had a Capital One account or applied between 2005–2019
-
Were notified that their data was exposed
-
Filed a valid claim by the deadline
3. Can I still get money now?
No — monetary claims are closed. Only identity protection remains available through 2028.
4. How do I use the free identity protection?
Visit capitalonesettlement.com or call 833‑317‑4821 to enroll.
5. Why did some people get over $2,000?
Those individuals submitted strong documentation of significant out‑of‑pocket losses, which were reimbursed up to $25,000.
6. Is my personal information still at risk?
If your data was exposed, it could still circulate on the dark web. Use monitoring and identity services to protect yourself.
7. What if I never filed a claim?
You can’t get money now, but you can still enroll in the free identity protection services.
8. What if I didn’t get a notice but suspect I was affected?
If you had a Capital One account or applied between 2005–2019, you were likely affected. You can still enroll in the identity protection program.