Let us punish Equifax: state big

ALBANY — The state’s top financial regulator urged lawmakers Thursday to give her “teeth” to punish Equifax and other companies that don’t protect consumers vital information.

Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria Vullo told a state Senate committee that any legislation adopted in the wake of the Equifax data breach must include “stringent penalties” against credit reporting companies that don’t abide by the law, including prohibitions against them operating in New York.

She also revealed that the department has launched its own investigation of the breach and subpoenaed information from Equifax.

The hacking of Equifax compromised the personal information of 143 million Americans, including more than 8 million in New York.