Experian plc Acquisition of Garlik Limited

Experian, the global information services company, announces that it has acquired Garlik Limited, a provider of web monitoring services based in the United Kingdom.

Founded in 2005, Garlik helps consumers to protect themselves from the risks of identity theft and financial fraud. Through its main product, DataPatrol, Garlik captures and monitors information from a variety of sources across the wider web and social networking sites using its proprietary web-crawler technology. DataPatrol generates alerts when an online loss, disclosure or theft of consumer data is detected, and suggests next steps on how to respond to incidents before an individual becomes a victim of financial crime or identity fraud. Garlik provides services in the UK, US, Germany and Italy.

The acquisition of Garlik extends Experian's presence in identity protection, consistent with Experian's strategic goal to become the most trusted consumer brand for credit monitoring and identity protection services. It enables Experian to offer a more comprehensive identity protection product to its customers and clients, while accelerating plans to expand consumer protection services into new geographies. The acquisition will form part of Experian's Interactive business.

At 31 December 2010 Garlik had gross assets of US$1m. Garlik was acquired from venture capital investors DFJ Esprit and Doughty Hanson, and the founding shareholders. The acquisition has been funded from Experian's existing cash resources.