The Latest: Congressmen criticize Equifax’s response to hack

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the testimony of the former Equifax chairman and CEO as he testifies before Congress on the massive data breach affecting an estimated 145 million Americans (all times local):

10:45 a.m.

Several lawmakers on a congressional panel say Equifax’s response to a massive data breach is unacceptable and still inadequate.

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., says that if Equifax wants to stay in business, its entire corporate culture needs to change to one that values security and transparency.

Former Equifax chairman and CEO Richard F. Smith is testifying before a House subcommittee overseeing digital commerce and consumer protection.

It’s the first of several appearances taking place this week before House and Senate panels. They are reviewing a data breach that affected an estimated 145 million Americans.

Pallone says it has been four weeks since the breach was made public and Equifax’s customer service has been “confusing and unhelpful.”

Republican Rep. Greg Walden says he expects Smith’s candor and cooperation as lawmakers learn how Equifax failed to secure its systems.
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3:30 a.m.

The former chairman and CEO of Equifax says the challenge of responding to the concerns of tens of millions of consumers after a massive data breach proved overwhelming, and regrettably, mistakes were made.

In prepared congressional testimony, Richard F. Smith has outlined steps that the credit reporting company is taking to regain the nation’s trust.

Smith’s appearance before a House subcommittee Tuesday morning is the first of several he’ll make this week as House and Senate panels review a data breach that affected an estimated 145 million Americans.

Smith says Equifax has greatly increased its customer service staff. It has also put in place a support package that includes free credit file monitoring, identity theft insurance and a credit lock that restricts access to a consumer’s credit report.