Equifax

Equifax is one of the largest credit reporting agencies in the world, responsible for collecting and maintaining consumer credit information. This data helps businesses assess an individual's creditworthiness when they apply for loans or credit cards. Equifax gathers information from various sources, including lenders and public records, which it uses to produce credit reports and scores. These reports are crucial in determining whether someone can borrow money and under what terms. The company gained significant attention due to a major data breach in 2017, which exposed sensitive information of millions of consumers, raising concerns about data security and privacy.