Customers affected by the 2024 Avis data breach can receive money through a settlement. Here’s who qualifies, what information was involved, and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
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What Happened?
The settlement follows a lawsuit related to a security incident that took place between Aug. 3 and Aug. 6, 2024.
Avis Budget Group is one of the world’s largest vehicle rental companies, which operates well-known brands including Avis, Budget, and Zipcar.
According to the lawsuit, hackers gained access to customer information during the incident. Avis denied wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to resolve the case.
Customers who were affected have until June 21, 2026, to submit a claim. Affected customers may receive money for losses linked to the breach. Some may also qualify for a cash payment, even if they did not experience financial losses.
A final court hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2026, in federal court in New Jersey.
Who Was Affected and What Data Was Taken?
The settlement applies to U.S. residents whose personal information was involved in the data breach.
According to the settlement website, the exposed information includes:
- Names
- Driver’s license numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Credit card expiration dates
- Birthdates
- Phone numbers
Personal information like this can remain valuable to criminals long after a breach happens. Scammers can use stolen details in scam emails, fake phone calls, or identity theft attempts.
Even if you were not affected by this breach, your information could already be in a data leak. Many people do not realize their data was leaked until something suspicious happens.
If you’re not sure whether your information was leaked, Futureproof can help you find out.
With Futureproof, you can quickly see whether your email address was leaked and get simple steps to help protect your account.
How Did the Data Breach Happen?
Public reports about the settlement did not explain exactly how the attackers gained access to customer information.
According to the lawsuit, hackers accessed customer data during the August 2024 incident, but technical details about the hack weren’t publicly shared.
Futureproof scans your data for leaks and shows exactly how to close security gaps — before scammers find them first.
Check my safetyWhat the Avis Breach Can Teach You About Protecting Your Data
Many people ignore breach notifications because they think nothing will happen after the initial incident. However, stolen personal information often remains valuable to criminals for years.
Cases like the Avis breach are a reminder that risks do not always end when the headlines fade.
Your personal information could continue circulating online long after the breach, creating new opportunities for scammers to target you.
Scammers may try to:
- Send phishing messages
If criminals know your name, phone number, or payment card details, they can create emails and text messages that appear more trustworthy and harder to spot.
- Pretend to be a real company
Using information from the breach, scammers may call, email, or text claiming to be from Avis, your bank, or another service provider and ask you to verify personal information.
- Steal your identity
Information such as your birthdate and driver’s license number may be used to apply for loans, open accounts, or commit other forms of fraud in your name.
3 Simple Steps to Protect Yourself After a Data Breach
You cannot stop every data breach, but these practical steps can help reduce your risk:
- Check your bank and credit card accounts
Review your bank and credit card activity regularly. Watch for any small charges you don’t recognize, as criminals often make small test purchases before trying larger ones.
If you see anything unusual, contact your bank or card provider right away.
- Protect your email account
Your email is the key to many of your other accounts. If someone gains access to it, they could reset passwords for your bank, shopping, and social media accounts.
Two simple steps can help keep it safe:
- Choose a strong, unique password
- Turn on two-step verification (a security feature that sends a verification code to your phone or device)
If you’re not sure how to set up these protections, the Futureproof Email Protection tool can guide you through the process. Email Protection helps you create a strong and memorable password and turn on two-step verification to protect your account.
- Consider a fraud alert or credit freeze
If your financial details, driver’s license, or Social Security number were leaked, it’s worth adding extra protection to your credit file:
- Place a fraud alert on your credit file. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and request a free fraud alert. Once it is added, lenders must take extra steps to verify your identity before approving new credit in your name.
- Consider freezing your credit. Place a credit freeze with all three major credit bureaus. A freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it much harder for criminals to open new loans, credit cards, or accounts using your personal information.
Either option can give you peace of mind while things are sorted out.
What You Do After a Data Breach Can Make All the Difference
Most people cannot prevent every data breach. Even companies with security systems can become targets.
What matters is how quickly you respond when a breach notification arrives.
Reviewing your accounts, securing your email, and staying alert for fraud can help reduce the risk of future problems.
These simple habits can help you stay informed and protect your peace of mind.
At Futureproof, Kevin explains digital safety in simple words, with clear tips and zero fluff. He holds a degree in information technology and studies fraud trends to keep his tips up-to-date.
In his free time, Kevin plays with his cat, enjoys board-game nights, and hunts for New York’s best cinnamon rolls.
