The Capital One data breach of 2019 remains one of the most significant cybersecurity incidents in American banking history. The breach exposed sensitive data—including names, addresses, credit scores, and even Social Security numbers—of over 100 million individuals. In the wake of the scandal, Capital One faced a barrage of lawsuits, ultimately culminating in a massive class action settlement. Now, eligible claimants are finally beginning to receive payments.
What Happened in the Breach?
In July 2019, Capital One disclosed that a hacker gained unauthorized access to its servers, compromising the data of around 106 million customers in the U.S. and Canada. The breach included sensitive personal information:
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Names and contact details
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Credit scores
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Bank account numbers
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Social Security numbers
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Transaction history
The attacker, a former Amazon Web Services (AWS) employee, exploited a misconfigured firewall to access Capital One’s cloud-hosted database. The breach was particularly egregious because it affected people who never even had an account with Capital One—they were merely applicants for credit products.
Legal Fallout and Class Action Details
Soon after the breach was made public, Capital One was hit with multiple class action lawsuits. The plaintiffs accused the bank of negligence, citing a failure to implement reasonable security measures despite known vulnerabilities in its infrastructure.
The court consolidated these lawsuits, and after extensive negotiations, Capital One agreed to a settlement worth $190 million. Though the bank denied wrongdoing, it acknowledged that the settlement would help resolve the dispute and compensate affected individuals.
Who is Eligible for Compensation?
To qualify for a payout, you must meet the following criteria:
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You were a U.S. resident who applied for a Capital One credit card between 2005 and 2019.
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Your information was compromised in the breach, as confirmed by Capital One’s notification or public records.
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You submitted a valid claim by the specified deadline.
Even if you did not suffer financial harm, you could be eligible for a fixed cash payment. Those who incurred out-of-pocket expenses, identity theft, or time spent remedying breach-related issues may be eligible for higher compensation.
What is the Payout Amount?
There are two main categories of payment:
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Fixed Payments: Many class members will receive a flat sum—typically between $100 to $300—without needing to show proof of losses.
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Reimbursement for Losses: Up to $25,000 may be available for individuals who can document financial loss, fraud, or identity theft stemming directly from the breach.
Millions of dollars have already started going out to eligible individuals as of late 2024, and payments are ongoing in 2025.
How to Claim Your Payment
If you received a notification, follow these steps:
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Go to the official settlement site (e.g., www.CapitalOneSettlement.com).
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Use the Claim ID provided in your notice, or verify eligibility manually.
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Choose whether you’re claiming a fixed payout or requesting reimbursement with documentation.
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Submit your claim before the deadline.
You can also sign up for free identity monitoring services for a limited period as part of the settlement benefits.
What to Do if You Missed the Deadline?
If you missed the claims deadline, you may still be eligible for credit monitoring services or late processing if exceptions apply. However, cash payments will not be granted after the official deadline unless extended by court order.
Conclusion
The Capital One data breach was a wake-up call for financial institutions and consumers alike. If your data was compromised, this class action provides a way to hold the company accountable and receive compensation for your inconvenience or loss. Millions are already being disbursed—don’t leave your share on the table.