Experian Warns Smartphone Users to Smarten Up

LONDON, January 13, 2011 - Experian has warned smartphone users may be risking the security of their
identity if they store sensitive information on their phones and use unsecure
Wi-Fi networks to get online. This is according to new research by
ProtectMyID, Experian's identity-protection service.

According to this latest research:

    - Nearly two thirds (65%) of smartphone users send and store e-mails on
    their phones - even if these include sensitive information such as
    receipts and credit card details from shopping online.
    - More than half (53%) of smartphone users access social networking sites
    from their phones. This could easily reveal key pieces of information
    like names, dates of birth and other details commonly used as passwords
    for online banking and other accounts, such as first school or place of
    birth.
    - Nearly one third (29%) of smartphone users take advantage of public
    Wi-Fi hotspots (often found in city centres, used whilst having a break
    from the shops) which are unsecure and highly vulnerable to electronic
    eavesdroppers.
    - Of these, one in five (19%) say they conduct online banking while using
    public Wi-Fi, risking their accounts, PINs and passwords.

The Home Office found that mobile phone identity fraud (
www.protectmyid.co.uk/), rose by three quarters (74%) in the first
half of last year* but more than half of the smartphone users who took part
in the Protect My ID (www.protectmyid.co.uk/) survey were completely
unaware of the problem.

"The personal information on an average smartphone is like gold dust to
an ID thief and many of us could be putting this on a plate by using public
Wi-Fi networks," said Peter Turner, Managing Director of Experian
Interactive. "A criminal can use this information to masquerade as the
phone's owner, drain his or her accounts, run up debts in their victim's name
and even open new accounts.

"Often, the first people know about it is when they receive a demand for
payment for services they haven't used or for an account they have never
heard of. We've certainly seen cases where criminals have changed the address
of the smartphone, ordered new handsets and run up huge bills."

As many as 10,000 smartphones are also stolen every month, according to
the Metropolitan Police**, so it really makes sense for users to take
sensible identity protection (
www.protectmyid.co.uk/howidentityprotectionworks.aspx) precautions to
keep their personal information safe.

Notes to editors:

*CIFAS: Fraudscape, 2010

** www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/phone.htm

Key benefits of ProtectMyID.co.uk

    - Continuous monitoring of Experian credit reports for signs of potential
    fraudulent activity
    - Email or text alerts to user if a significant change is detected
    - Full details of the activity with recommendations on next steps, all
    held on a secure personal account
    - Access to dedicated caseworker for one-to-one help and advice
    - Optional free fraud insurance of up to GBP75,000 (Provided by ARC,
    underwritten by AXA) to cover any fraud-resolution costs
    - Option to apply for CIFAS Protective Registration for those at
    particular risk or already a victim of fraud.

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing
data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company
helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent identity fraud, target
marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps
individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and offers).

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
2010 was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40
countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with
operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and São
Paulo, Brazil.

    PR Contact:
    Ben Dobson
    5th Floor
    Holborn Gate
    330 High Holborn
    London
    WC1V 7QG
    +44(0)20-7861-3931

www.protectmyid.co.uk

PR Contact: Ben Dobson, 5th Floor, Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QG, +44(0)20-7861-3931