KELOWNA, B.C. — Hackers have hit one of Canada's major credit bureaus by what appears to be the improper use of a customers' access codes and security password.

Equifax Canada says about 600 Equifax consumer credit files were accessed without authorization. Most of the people affected are in B.C. "Our primary focus is to protect the innocent consumers affected by this incident," the credit bureau said in a statement.

RCMP are conducting an investigation and Equifax has contacted the affected consumers.

A call centre has also been set up to assist them and alert messages, reading "lost or stolen identification," have been placed on their credit files.

Affected customers will also be given a year's subscription to Credit Alert - a service that monitors credit file activity and warns customers of possible identity theft.