Experian provides fraud prevention services to the U.S. Social Security Administration

COSTA MESA, Calif., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Experian^® today announced that it has provided the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) with fraud prevention services that securely authenticate and safeguard the identities of consumers who now have online access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information through the SSA's new online Social Security Statement.

"As the trend for consumers to access more information online increases, the ability to confidently verify identities is critical for an agency like the SSA," said Kerry Williams, group president, Experian Credit Services and Decision Analytics. "Experian's Precise ID platform will provide the SSA with an additional layer of security that will help combat threats such as identity fraud and unauthorized access to information while at the same time allowing well-intentioned consumers seamless access to their online Social Security Statement."

The SSA's new online Social Security Statement is simple and easy-to-use and provides people with estimates they can use to plan for their retirement. The online Statement also provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making the statement an important financial planning tool. In addition to helping with financial planning, the online Statement offers consumers a convenient way to determine whether their earnings are accurately posted to their Social Security records.

"We are thrilled that the SSA has selected Experian to provide secure authentication services in support of its new online Social Security Statement," said Williams. "Experian continues to gain traction in the government space, and this success is another milestone on our path to becoming the standard in the public sector for fraud prevention and authentication."

To get a personalized online Statement, people age 18 and older must be able to provide information about themselves that matches information already on file with Social Security.  Then, the SSA uses Precise ID(SM), Experian's fraud detection and prevention platform, to securely authenticate and further verify the person's identity. Once verified, the person can create a "My Social Security" account with a unique username and password to access the online Statement. To get your Social Security statement online, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement/.

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2012 was US$4.5 billion. Experian employs approximately 17,000 people in 44 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Contact:
Michael Troncale
Experian Public Relations
1 714 830 5462
[email protected]

SOURCE Experian