Main News Desk

Experian finishes uploading the 2008 electoral register in record time

Annual canvass helps organisations in fight against fraud

December 18, 2008

Experian^®, the global information services company, today announced that it has completed uploading electoral roll data from all 463 UK local authorities. Today’s achievement signals that Experian is, once again, the first organisation to complete the process, and in record time.

The size of the Electoral Register has increased to 46.22 million individuals. Experian also reports that the opt-out rate has continued to rise. It is now at 42.46 per cent, compared with 39.75 per cent of last year’s register.

As well as making it possible for people to vote in relevant elections, versions of the electoral register are used for a number of other important functions, usually to help confirm names and addresses. As a result, not registering to vote or registering wrong details on the electoral register has numerous implications. It can make it more difficult for people to: obtain credit and insurance, access legal and accountancy services, open savings accounts or other investments, shop over the Internet or phone, and obtain certain public services, like getting a passport.

Paul Speirs, Commercial Product Manager, Experian comments: “Information on the Electoral Register plays an absolutely vital role as a corroborative source of data for organisations looking to validate and authenticate the identities of applicants. Experian’s highly skilled team of data experts have not only uploaded this information in record time, they have also applied to the upload a rigorous series of checks and processes to ensure that the information is secure, accurate, and fit-for-purpose.

“Having access to this accurate and up-to-date information is vital across industry sectors. It enables lenders to: obtain c make accurate lending decisions, helps organisations to prevent fraud, through to merchants being better equipped to authenticate the identity of consumers shopping on the Internet.”

Colin Grieves, Head of Data Strategy, Experian’s Integrated Marketing division, adds: “Our commitment to taking a multi-channel and multi-source approach to collecting marketing data continues to ensure that our clients have the largest marketing universe possible at their disposal. Opt-out rates have been steadily increasing over the years and that is precisely why we are investing heavily, across all channels, to ensure that our marketing data remains as powerful as ever.”

Executive quote

About the company

Experian is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organisations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions.

Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organisations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage.

For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence. Clients include organisations from financial services, retail and catalogue, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Experian has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and has operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, California and Nottingham, UK. The Group employs approximately 15,500 people in 38 countries worldwide, supporting clients in over 65 countries around the world. Continuing sales for the year ended 31 March 2008 were $4,059m (£2,020m / €2,858m).

For more information, visit www.experianplc.com

Contact details

Anna White, LEWIS PR. Tel: 020 7802 2626 Email: experian@lewispr.com

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Main News Desk

Experian finishes uploading the 2008 electoral register in record time

Executive quote

About the company

Contact details