Equifax Inc (NYSE:EFX) has confirmed that criminals gained access to 15.2mln client records in the UK as part of the massive cyber-attack the US credit score giant disclosed last month.
The Atlanta-based company said the majority of those records didn’t contain anything that would put customers at risk, although it conceded that almost 700,000 consumers are likely to have had sensitive information stolen.
Equifax said it would notify the 693,665 affected UK consumers and offer several risk-mitigation products for free to help minimise the risk of possible criminal activity.
“Once again, I would like to extend my most sincere apologies to anyone who has been concerned about or impacted by this criminal act,” said Patricio Remon, Equifax’s president for Europe.
“Let me take this opportunity to emphasise that protecting the data of our consumers and clients is always our top priority.”
READ: Equifax discloses massive data breach
In total, around 145.5mln people – mostly in the US – had their private information compromised, including social security numbers, birth dates and addresses.
The attack took place between May and July this year but was only disclosed to the public last month. Since then its chief executive, chief financial officer and chief security have all stepped down.
Equifax shares were up slightly in pre-market trade to US$113.83.