EQUIFAX AND COACTIVA ASPIREN PARTNER TO TACKLE BENEFIT FRAUD

Risk Based Verification solution deployed across 50 UK local authorities

London, September 2012 - Leading consumer intelligence expert, Equifax, is working with Coactiva Aspiren, which specialises in creating tailored software solutions for business intelligence and performance improvement, to create a bespoke Risk Based Verification (RBV) product for the local government sector. Under the new partnership, the solution has been deployed across 50 local authorities, to streamline the verification process for new housing benefit, council tax benefit claims and changes in circumstance. As a result, the joint initiative is expected to play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of fraud affecting local authority finances.

Coactiva provides creative software and consultancy solutions for businesses, delivering significant cost savings through the application of collaboration, information-sharing and performance improvement. Coactiva works in partnership with sector-specific experts for each project it takes on and it chose Equifax for its Local Authority project in order to benefit from the company’s expertise in both consumer data and the local government arena. In particular, Coactiva was impressed by Equifax’s track record in developing tailor made solutions with a focus on tackling fraud.

"Through our partnership with Equifax our own RBV product now seamlessly integrates with Equifax data to optimise risk scores which allow Local Authorities to conduct checks in real-time,” explains James Hilton, Coactiva Sales Director. “Equifax worked closely with us to meet the needs of our clients and created a bespoke solution that combined seamlessly with our own systems."

"Together with Equifax, we have developed and delivered a highly robust and risk based approach to new claims for local authorities across the UK. And we believe this will play a crucial role in enhancing the level of fraud and error detection, whilst reducing operational costs.”

Carly Newbury of Equifax Public Sector Services adds: “This is a significant contract for Equifax and demonstrates the value of our RBV expertise, as well as our ability to develop tailor made solutions for our partners and their clients.

"We understand the burden fraud can place on local authorities and have worked with Coactiva to create a system that focuses on reducing risk without compromising the level of service for benefit claimants."

END

For further press information please contact: Wendy Harrison, Cecile Stearn, Jenny Thorneywork or Clare Watson at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or Email: equifaxbtobteam@harrisonsadler.com

About Equifax
Equifax is a global leader in consumer and commercial information solutions, providing businesses of all sizes and consumers with information they can trust. We organize and assimilate data on more than 500 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide, and use advanced analytics and proprietary technology to create and deliver customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax operates or has investments in 17 countries and is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index. Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. For more information, please visit www.equifax.com.

About Coactiva Group
Coactiva provides creative software and consultancy solutions for businesses. Coactiva supports organisations in delivering significant cost savings while improving results and outcomes, through the application of collaboration, information-sharing and performance improvement.

For more information on Coactiva’s innovative solutions, please visit www.coactiva.com