Equifax: Hackers Gained Access to Sensitive Data, Affecting 143 Million People

A major consumer credit reporting agency said Thursday that 143 million U.S. consumers were affected by a data breach. Hackers could now have access to Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and other sensitive information, Equifax said. More than 200,000 people had their birth dates and credit card number stolen. The agency added that the hackers may have gained access to its computer systems between mid-May and July, though it found no evidence that its main consumer or commercial credit reporting databases were impacted. The breach was discovered on July 29. NBC News reported later Thursday that SEC filings showed three Equifax executives sold their shares in the company just days after the breach was detected.