Hackers post credit reports of stars online

The three major US credit bureaus say hackers who have posted credit reports on celebrities and government officials in recent days did not breach secure databases but relied on personal information they collected elsewhere on the public figures.

Representatives for Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion said they are co-operating with authorities investigating the mysterious website that has posted private financial data of stars such as Jay-Z, Tiger Woods, the vice-president, and first lady Michelle Obama.

The companies said they were also working to minimise the financial damage to the victims. Experian spokesman Gerry Tschopp said the company had frozen credit files of those whose information has been posted online.