• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
FinanceEquifax

The Equifax Hack Exposed More Data Than Previously Reported

By
David Z. Morris
David Z. Morris
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
David Z. Morris
David Z. Morris
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 11, 2018, 12:31 PM ET

Last year’s worst hack exposed even more information than previously believed, further highlighting vulnerabilities created by the credit-monitoring system.

Between May and July of last year, hackers stole 145 million Americans’ Social Security numbers, birthdays, driver’s license numbers, and addresses from Equifax, one of the three largest credit reporting agencies in the country. The Wall Street Journal, reviewing documents submitted to Congress, now reports that stolen data also included tax identification numbers and driver’s license states and issuance dates. Some email addresses were also acquired by hackers.

The additional data could make it even easier for hackers to open credit lines or otherwise exploit victim’s identities. The theft of tax ID numbers is particularly concerning, since it may increase the risk of fraudulent tax filings.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

As with the original disclosures, the additional hacked data is particularly disturbing because victims did not choose to entrust it to Equifax in the first place. Credit-reporting agencies like Equifax gather data on most adult Americans from a variety of sources, including retailers, employers and even social media, while aggressively marketing their ability to keep it all safe.

The credit-scoring company says its original disclosures of hacked data were not meant to be comprehensive. But Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Friday sent a letter to Equifax accusing the company of issuing “incomplete, confusing and contradictory statements” about the extent of the hack. Warren’s office has alleged that passport numbers, which could be used to create fake immigration documents, were also among the stolen data, but Equifax has thus far denied that claim.

About the Author
By David Z. Morris
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Finance

Man on private jet
SuccessWealth
CEO of $5.6 billion Swiss bank says country is still the ‘No. 1 location’ for wealth after voters reject a tax on the ultra-rich
By Jessica CoacciDecember 2, 2025
12 minutes ago
Elon Musk, standing with his arms crossed, looks down at Donald Trump sitting down at his desk in the Oval Office.
EconomyTariffs and trade
Elon Musk says he warned Trump against tariffs, which U.S. manufacturers blame for a turn to more offshoring and diminishing American factory jobs
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 2, 2025
21 minutes ago
layoffs
EconomyLayoffs
What CEOs say about AI and what they mean about layoffs and job cuts: Goldman Sachs peels the onion
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 2, 2025
23 minutes ago
Carl Erik Rinsch speaks into a microphone on stage
LawNetflix
Netflix gave him $11 million to make his dream show. Instead, prosecutors say he spent it on Rolls-Royces, a Ferrari, and wildly expensive mattresses
By Dave SmithDecember 2, 2025
40 minutes ago
Personal FinanceSavings
Best money market accounts of December 2025
By Glen Luke FlanaganDecember 2, 2025
56 minutes ago
Curry, King
Commentaryphilanthropy
Why time is becoming the new currency of giving
By Arndrea Waters King and Ayesha CurryDecember 2, 2025
1 hour ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
Ford workers told their CEO 'none of the young people want to work here.' So Jim Farley took a page out of the founder's playbook
By Sasha RogelbergNovember 28, 2025
4 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Warren Buffett used to give his family $10,000 each at Christmas—but when he saw how fast they were spending it, he started buying them shares instead
By Eleanor PringleDecember 2, 2025
6 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Forget the four-day workweek, Elon Musk predicts you won't have to work at all in ‘less than 20 years'
By Jessica CoacciDecember 1, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Innovation
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says we’re just a decade away from a new normal of extraterrestrial data centers
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 1, 2025
23 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of December 1, 2025
By Danny BakstDecember 1, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Big Tech
Elon Musk, fresh off securing a $1 trillion pay package, says philanthropy is 'very hard'
By Sydney LakeDecember 1, 2025
1 day ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.