The Atlanta-Based companu said that the criminals” exploited a US website application to access files between mid-May and July of this year - with the weakness said to have been discovered at the end of that month.
It said consumers names .Social security numbers ,bithyday dates, addresses and, in some cases, driver's license numbers were exposed. Credit card numbers for about 209,000 US consumers were also accessed.
They also accessed limited personal information from British and Candian residents.
Equifax said it doesn't believe that any consumers from other countries were affected.
"this is clearly a disappointing event for our company. and one that strikes at the heart of who we are and what we do,” said Equifax chairman and CEO Richard F. Smith.