eSolutions Credit Solutions Suite - ExperianThis user guide is for the Credit Solutions Suite of products. User guides for all other solutions suites are located on the eSolutions

eSolutions Credit Solutions SuiteUser guide

eSolutions Credit Solutions SuiteUser guide

©Experian Information Solutions, Inc. 2007. All rights reserved. Title and copyright in this document at all times belong to Experian Information

Solutions, Inc. It shall be kept strictly confidential and may only be used by employees of the client authorized for such purpose. This document

(or any part of it) shall not be copied or reproduced (in any form whatsoever), transmitted or stored within a retrieval system or disclosed to any

third party without the prior written consent of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Experian Information Solutions, Inc. reserves the right to

revise or otherwise alter this publication and associated software and to make changes to the content thereof, without obligation to notify any

person of such changes or revisions.

Table of contents

iv

eSolutionsfeatures(availablewithallsolutionsuites) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

eSolutionsbenefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

eSolutionstargetclients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Productsandservicesoffered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Creditsolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Riskmodels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Democapability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

UserIDsandpasswords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

First-timeuserlogin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Productoverview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

eSolutionsclienteducationpage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Helpcontent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Credittab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Productdemonstration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

eSolutionsbatchprocessingoverview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

NavigatingtoBatchservices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Batchservices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

NavigatingtotheUploadbatchpage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Uploadbatchpage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Validationpage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

ThankYoupage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Endusere-mailnotification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

NavigatingtotheDownloadbatchpage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Downloadbatchpage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Archive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Experian’s eSolutions enables Web access for clients to many solution suites. This user guide covers

the Credit Solutions Suite. User guides for the additional solution suites are located on the eSolutions

education page. The features and benefits of this delivery option are included below:

eSolutionsfeatures(availablewithallsolutionsuites)

• User-friendly interface with tips and help content embedded in the application

process to help clients with their report requests

• Batch processing to enable clients to send a multiple-record file to process

multiple reports in one transaction

• Web-enabled user groups to introduce new products and provide client training;

recorded and archived for reference anytime

• Quarterly newsletter to introduce new products and functionality

• Delegated administration of users via Access Control System (ACS)

• Secured Socket Layer with 128-bit encryption

• No special hardware or software required; an Internet-ready PC with a standard 128-bit

encryption browser is all that is necessary (Internet Explorer® 5+ or Netscape® 6+)

• Multiple user access to the File OneSM credit database

eSolutionsbenefits

• No additional cost

• Highly secure application

• Allows clients to manage their own users, including powerful usage reporting capabilities

• Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

• Lower client training time and associated costs

eSolutionstargetclients

eSolutions is ideal for clients that want to access Experian’s credit solutions via the Internet from multiple

locations but do not have volume levels that require or justify dedicated or leased-line access. In addition,

this delivery method will appeal to our clients that require access to Experian’s products from a remote

location. There is no additional hardware or software required beyond a standard CPU with a modem

and Internet access. eSolutions is browser-based and is presented in a user-friendly Web application

format. Typical industries using eSolutions are financial services, banking, automotive, collections,

credit union, and telecommunications, energy and cable (TEC). eSolutions provides clients with an

immediate view into the credit health of their customers.

eSolutions features

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Products and services offered

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Productsandservicesoffered

This user guide is for the Credit Solutions Suite of products. User guides for all other solutions

suites are located on the eSolutions education page.

Creditsolutions

eSolutions offers the following Experian products in the Credit Solutions Suite:

• Address SearchSM — Provides a comprehensive list of names and addresses associated

with an input address

• Address Update — Keeps you in touch with important customers by providing current

addresses from Experian’s nationwide, continuously updated database

• BullseyeSM — Provides accurate, current and complete information to acquire new business,

manage customers and maximize collections

• Collection Report (including new formats) — Provides current address information highlighting

critical aspects of a debtor’s situation pinpointing which debtors have the highest collection potential

• Connect Check — Reduce financial losses due to identity fraud or risk exposure

• Credit Profile Report — Produce an applicant’s credit history instantly with the unsurpassed

data precision and file coverage of Experian’s File OneSM database

• Credit Profile Report: Healthcare — Produce an applicant’s credit history instantly in a customized

format specifically for the healthcare industry.

• Cross ViewSM — Make more accurate credit decisions by viewing both debit and credit

information together

• Employment InsightSM — An effective employment-screening tool providing Social Security

number, address, previous employment history, public records and credit history

• Social Search — Using Social Security number as the only input, helps you reach hard-to-find

individuals who may have changed their names or moved without a forwarding address

The following add-on options are available:

• Demographics Band — Verify a consumer’s identity and application information in seconds

even if the individual has no prior credit history

• Direct CheckSM — Helps financial institutions contact other credit grantors for fast information

on a consumer in the following areas: collections, new accounts, fraud detection, skip locating

and loan activity

• Fraud ShieldSM — Provides a comprehensive series of checks, searches and counters to screen

every credit application; instantly recognizes warning signs and critical discrepancies, such as

Social Security numbers recorded as deceased, nonissued or out of range

• Profile Summary — Contains 17 significant calculations from the Credit Profile Report for quick

credit history analysis


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Riskmodels

Additionally, the following risk score models are available through the Internet

with the Credit Profile Report and Collections Report:

• Auto Risk Model

• Bankruptcy WatchSM

• CollectScore

• Credit Union Risk ModelSM

• Cross View ScoreSM

• Experian/Fair Isaac Advanced Risk ScoreSM 2

• Experian/Fair Isaac Advanced Risk ScoreSM 3

• Experian/Fair Isaac Auto Loan ModelSM 2

• Experian/Fair Isaac Auto Loan ModelSM 3

• Experian/Fair Isaac Bankcard ModelSM 2

• Experian/Fair Isaac Bankcard ModelSM 3

• Experian/Fair Isaac Installment Loan ModelSM 2

• Experian/Fair Isaac Installment Loan ModelSM 3

• Experian/Fair Isaac Personal Finance ModelSM 2

• Experian/Fair Isaac Personal Finance ModelSM 3

• Experian/Fair Isaac Risk Model 2

• Experian/Fair Isaac Risk Model 3

• Experian/MDS Bankruptcy ModelSM

• Fraud ShieldSM Score

• National Equivalency Score

• National Risk Model

• RecoveryScoreSM (bankcard)

• RecoveryScoreSM (retail)

• Retail Risk Model

• Scorex PLUSSM

• Scorex PLUSSM 2


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• SureViewSM (nonprime risk score)

• Telecommunications, Energy and Cable Risk ModelSM

• Tele-Risk ModelSM

Services

The following services also are available:

• E-OSCAR — the credit industry’s state-of-the-art online data correction system

• Instant UpdateSM — a tool to report derogatory information instantly

• Subscriber Decode — provides the business name, address and telephone number of subscribers

Democapability

Two methods are available for interacting with all available credit products: the Prefill Method

and STAR 2000 Interactive Test Database. More information can be found in the Credit tab section

on page 13 of this user guide.

Reporting

Usage reports that indicate product usage/time frame by individual user(s) and subcodes are available.

Billing

If you have access to more than one subcode, it is critical that you are aware which subcode

is to be used for which purpose. You are asked to select your subcode at the beginning of each

inquiry or before you submit a batch file. If you are not sure which is the correct subcode to use,

please ask your Designate. Selecting incorrect subcodes may cause billing errors.

Security

Experian’s Information Technology team is committed to ensuring a high level of information

security both internally and externally. In addition to the highly secure registration process via

the Access Control System, eSolutions currently uses a Secured Socket Layer of 128-bit encryption

coupled with a user ID and password for every user accessing eSolutions.

UserIDsandpasswords

Users are not to share IDs and/or passwords for any reason

Head Designates and Security Designates can provide you with new products and services, update your

ID or reset your password. Both our security platform and the application itself are reviewed and audited

by a third-party vendor. Security controls, procedures and policies are placed through a rigorous security

assessment process.


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First-timeuserlogin

In order to access Experian’s credit products and services via the Web, first-time users first must be set up

by their Security Designate. Once set up, the user will receive a notification that he or she has been granted

access to eSolutions.

Example:

Users will receive an e-mail with their user ID, as set up by their Security Designate. The user also will

receive a separate e-mail containing a temporary password. The Security Designate must forward both

of these e-mail notifications to the user as part of Experian’s security policy.


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Example:

Users may access eSolutions via the following URL: http://www.experian.com/esolutions/index.html.

Example:


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Enter the user ID and temporary password received via e-mail. First-time users will be prompted to:

1. Change their user ID (optional).

2. Verify e-mail address — This step is critical for password resets and future changes to the

user’s account.

3. Create a secret question — The user must enter a question and provide the answer to that question.

If the user forgets his or her password and selects the Forgot Your Password option, the system will

return the secret question to the user via e-mail so that the user may provide the answer when indicated.

Please note that the secret question answer is case sensitive and must be at least eight characters long.

Example:


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Next, the user is asked to verify the temporary password and create and confirm a new password.

Example:


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Finally, the system requests the user to log in with the newly created credentials.

Example:


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Productoverview

Users can access more detailed information on specific solution suites by selecting the Home tab.

Users can explore the specific solution suites further by clicking on the suite tabs.

Example:


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eSolutionsclienteducationpage

Users are given the option of visiting the eSolutions client education page upon initial login. The client

education page provides links to recorded Web casts, a comprehensive library of frequently asked questions

as well as links to user guides and user group sign-up.

Example:


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Helpcontent

Users requiring more information can utilize the Help links to display additional information

contained in Help pages.

Example:


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Credittab

Once a user has logged in, clicking the Credit tab will display the transactional credit products inquiry

page. This is where a user can pull credit products individually.

Select the appropriate billing subcode and product option from the drop-down menus. The input screen

is dynamically generated based on product option selection. Enter all required fields on the consumer.

Be sure to enter all data in all of the required fields (as indicated in red) before submitting your transaction.

Example:


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Up to five optional risk models and any number of add-on products may be added to the inquiry.

Note: If the user’s billing subcode is set to always return a specific risk model or ancillary product,

it automatically will be returned with the report. If a risk model is chosen, this will override any existing

subcode setting. To add a risk model, both the set risk model (based on your billing subcode) and the

additional selection must be added. For example, if your billing subcode is set to receive the Scorex

PLUSSM score and you wish to also receive or add the National Risk Model, both risk models must be

added using the add-on feature. If you wish to override the Scorex PLUS score and receive the National

Risk Model only, simply add just the National Risk Model. Contact Customer Support at 800 831 5614

for additional information on Customer Master settings. Click the Submit button to continue.

Example:


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The consumer report will then be displayed. Output options include printer-friendly format or download

as an Adobe® Acrobat® PDF. Select the new inquiry link to begin a new consumer inquiry. Select the edit

inquiry link to return to the inquiry page and modify the original inquiry request (optional).

Example:


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Productdemonstration

Users can demo products within the eSolutions application by utilizing two demonstration subcode options

from the billing subcode drop-down menu. The STAR 2000 database test method allows users to enter any

of the 250,000 test profiles into the interface in order to produce specific output results. Links to a sample

of preselected profiles or to the entire database are provided within the Help pop-up.

Example:


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The Prefill demo method, once selected, automatically prepopulates required fields within the inquiry page.

Example:


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eSolutionsbatchprocessingoverview

Batch processing can process up to 100 inquiries at once. Each Batch job will consist of one credit product

and any additional risk models and ancillary products the user selects. In order to process a Batch request,

the user provides a list of consumers in a .csv (Excel) file and uploads the file.

NavigatingtoBatchservices

Click on Batch services to navigate to the Batch processing area of the Web site.

Example:


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Batchservices

The Batch services page lists the steps required to process a Batch of a credit product

and also lists the four most recent Batch jobs processed by the user.

Example:


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The Help me with file format link contains instructions for formatting the user’s list of consumers

and a sample .csv file. The user’s file must meet the following qualifications:

1. The file must be in .csv format

2. The file must contain a minimum of one record and a maximum of 100 records

3. The file must contain 12 columns of the following data in the following order:

Columnnumber Fieldname Specialhandlingrequirements

Column1(Aintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

InquiryID*

Alphanumericonly;nospecialcharacters*TheinquiryIDisauniqueidentifiertheuserassignstoeachconsumer .

Column2(Bintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

Firstname Alphaonly

Column3(Cintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

Middlename Alphaonly

Column4(Dintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

Lastname Alphaonly,includingdashes(-)andsinglequotes(‘)

Column5(Eintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

GenerationcodeAcceptablegenerationcodesinclude:Jr .,Sr .,I,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIIIorIX

Column6(Fintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

SocialSecurity 123456789or123-45-6789

Column7(Gintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

CurrentaddressAlphanumericonly,includingspaces,dashes(-),singlequotes(‘),#or/

Column8(Hintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

City Alphaonly,includingspaces

Column9(Iintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

State/Province Mustbeoneofthesupportedstateabbreviations

Column10(Jintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

ZIPCodeTM Alphanumericonly

Column11(Kintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

ReferencenumberAlphanumericonly,includingspaces,dashes(-),singlequotes(‘),#or/

Column12(Lintheexamplescreenshotbelow)

Type(T-code) Alphanumericonly


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Example:


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4. The file must contain the correct required fields; the required fields vary by product:

Product Requiredfields

CreditProfile

InquiryIDFirstnameLastnameCurrentaddressZIPCodeTM

SocialSearchInquiryIDSocialSecurity

AddressSearchSM

InquiryIDCurrentaddressZIPCode

AddressUpdate

InquiryIDFirstnameLastnameCurrentaddressZIPCode

BullseyeSM


CollectionReport


ConnectCheck

InquiryIDFirstnameLastnameSocialSecurity

ConnectCheck/PlusSM

InquiryIDFirstnameLastnameSocialSecurityCurrentaddressZIPCode

CrossViewSM

InquiryIDFirstnameLastnameSocialSecurityCurrentaddressCityStateZIPCode

EmploymentInsightSM

InquiryIDFirstnameLastnameCurrentaddressCityStateZIPCode


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NavigatingtotheUploadbatchpage

Once the user’s file is formatted correctly, navigate to the Upload batch page by placing the mouse

over Batch services and clicking on Upload batch.

Example:


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Uploadbatchpage

Select the access subcode and product option to be processed as a Batch. Next, select the file

for uploading by clicking the Browse… button and enter a Batch job title.

Example:


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Select any risk models or ancillary products to be processed in the Batch job. All selections will be applied

to each consumer in the .csv file. Select the desired output format (printer-friendly HTML version or PDF)

and click the Upload button to proceed to the next step.

Example:


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Validationpage

If the file cannot be validated, a preview pane and an error pane will display. The error pane will contain

only the records that did not pass validation. The fields containing red text are invalid. Click the red fields

to display the correct format for those fields. The Submit button will not display if any records are found

to be invalid. Batch processing requires 100 percent validation in order to proceed to the next step.

Example:


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When the file is validated, the preview pane is displayed. Click the Submit button to proceed.

Example:


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ThankYoupage

Once the Batch has been submitted successfully, a Thank You page will display, informing

the user that he or she will receive an e-mail once the Batch job is ready for download.

Example:


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Endusere-mailnotification

The user will receive an e-mail (as shown below) once the Batch is ready for download.

Example:

Note: Batch files will be available for download for seven days from the date they are ready for download.


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NavigatingtotheDownloadbatchpage

Once notification is received, navigate to the Download batch page by placing the mouse over

Batch services and clicking on Download batch.

Example:


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Downloadbatchpage

Clicking on the Batch title will initiate the download. Select the location for the Batch file to be saved.

The Batch file will be delivered in a .zip file and contain multiple individual files in either HTML or PDF.

WinZIP® (http://www.winzip.com/) or similar software is required to unzip the compressed output file.

Note: WinZip can be downloaded at no cost at http://www.winzip.com/downwz.htm.

Batches are available for download for seven days from the date the Batch is ready for download.

After seven days, the Batch expires and it is no longer available. If the Archived inquiries feature

has been activated by the Head Designate, the individual reports can be accessed via a search.

Example:

Clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the Details column of the Download page will display

the Batch Job Details page containing a list of the reports in the Batch job.


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Archive

eSolutions offers archive functionality, which allows users and Designates to store, retrieve and print

previously accessed credit reports for up to six months. Designates have the ability to view all reports

accessed for the subcodes they manage. By default, users have access to their own reports, but Designates

may provide users with another level of access within the system that allows them to retrieve reports

generated by all subcodes assigned to the user.

Example:

This functionality is provided as a service to our clients. Experian’s liability is limited to the storage

of the data for a limited time, and this data may not be used for credit-granting purposes. To request

this functionality, Head Security Designates must call Customer Support at 800 831 5614. Please refer

to the Internet Security Guidelines for additional information at http://www.experian.com/esolutions/

esolutions/security.html.


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Archive Search results provide all transaction data similar to the usage report functionality. Designates

and users can sort their results by date, product type, applicant data, subcode, user data or reference

number (if included upon inquiry). Designates and users can retrieve a consumer’s report by clicking

on the product option hyperlink.

Support

For additional eSolutions support, contact our Customer Support Center at 800 831 5614

or our Technical Support Center at 800 854 7201.

• Customer Support — 800 831 5614

• Technical Support — 800 854 7201

475 Anton Blvd.Costa Mesa, CA 92626

888 414 1120

www.experian.com

475 Anton Blvd.

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

888 414 1120

© Experian Information Solutions, Inc. 2007

All rights reserved

06/07

Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or

registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be

the trademarks of their respective owners.

4463-0607CS

Documents

eSolutions Credit Solutions Suite - ExperianThis user guide is for the Credit Solutions Suite of products. User guides for all other solutions suites are located on the eSolutions