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Probes launch of hackers who targeted Jay-Z, Beyonce, LAPD chief

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Credit reporting agencies said they are investigating how hackers were able to obtain personal information on a wide array of public figures that included Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, Jay-Z and Beyonce.

The hackers posted detailed financial information on the Internet.

Others who were singled out included Vice President Joe Biden, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, singer Britney Spears, actors Mel Gibson and Ashton Kutcher, and U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder.

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The information, which included home addresses, Social Security numbers and credit reports, was published on a website that appeared to originate in Russia.

Equifax Inc. and TransUnion Corp. said in statements they are looking into what happened but did not provide details.

“We are aware of recent media reports pertaining to unauthorized access to files belonging to high-profile individuals,” Equifax said in a statement sent to Bloomberg. “Equifax can confirm that fraudulent and unauthorized access to four consumer credit reports has occurred.”

Chief Beck told The Times local officials are also investigating.

“We’ll take steps to find out who did this, and if they’re within the boundaries of the United States, we’ll prosecute them,” Beck said.

Beck speculated that he was included with the high-profile performers and politicians because of the recent Christopher Dorner saga. Dorner, a fired LAPD officer, killed two police officers and two others last month during a bloody campaign to seek revenge for his firing.

Before he died in a standoff with authorities, Dorner in an online manifesto praised the network of hackers known as Anonymous.

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Many people claiming affiliation with the group have voiced support for Dorner on Twitter and in other Web forums.

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-- Joel Rubin and Shelby Grad

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