Credit Reporting Giant Equifax reports over 143,000 customer records hacked.

This news broke around 3:45PM MST. al-Reuters:

Credit rating company Equifax hacked; over 143 customers' data breach.

Equifax Inc said on Thursday personal details of 143 million U.S. consumers were potentially accessed by hackers between mid-May and July.

The company said criminals had accessed details including names and social security numbers.

Why have they waited until September in reporting this?

More, at PR News Wire:

The information accessed primarily includes names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver's license numbers.  In addition, credit card numbers for approximately 209,000 U.S. consumers, and certain dispute documents with personal identifying information for approximately 182,000 U.S. consumers, were accessed.

This is very embarrassing for a credit bureau reporting agency.