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EQUIFAX CREDIT REFERENCE DATA IS HELPING TO TACKLE BENEFIT FRAUD

Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, Equifax available for commentary

London, 10th August 2010 – Prime Minister, David Cameron is reported to be talking today about cracking down on benefit cheats, using a combination of tactics including credit reference agency data. Equifax is one of the UK's leading credit reference agencies and is already working with several major Government departments and local authorities to help identify benefit fraudsters.

As Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, Equifax explains this data is being used where there are already suspicions of benefit fraud and completely in line with Data Protection regulations. "Our data is being accessed where there is already a report of possible benefit fraud – and is being used to verify other data provided by the individual. It has already played a big part in cutting losses caused by benefit fraud and we are actively working with a number of Government departments and local authorities to identify further areas where it can help in their activities to address this problem."

Neil Munroe is available to provide comment on what credit reference data can be used by various Government departments in response to David Cameron's speech today. He can also talk about how individuals can access their own credit reference data to ensure it accurately reflects their current status.

Equifax was the first credit reference agency to make access to its £2 statutory report online which, it believes, is crucial to empowering individuals to manage their credit data as effectively as possible.

"David Cameron's mission is to cut the enormous losses caused by benefit fraud" confirmed Neil Munroe. "Clearly the expertise of the credit reference agencies such as Equifax can play a role in verifying information provided by suspected benefit fraudsters. We can also play a vital part in empowering all adults to take control of their personal data."

For expert commentary from Neil Munroe, please contact the Equifax Press Office on 020 8977 9132
Wendy Harrison, Cecile Stearn, Louise Fowler, Margot Tomkinson-Smith or Jenny Staniforth. cecile@harrisonsadler.com