Callcredit Information Group Acquires Recipero to Accelerate the Execution of its Fraud and Identity Protection Strategy

LEEDS, England, September 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Callcredit Information Group, backed by private equity firm, GTCR, has acquired Recipero, a company that has built one of the world's largest proprietary databases containing detailed information of the history and ownership of mobile devices, in a deal designed to accelerate the growth of the company's fraud and identity protection strategy. This is Callcredit's second acquisition of 2016. The Group acquired customer experience management specialist, Numero, in March.

Mike Gordon, CEO, Callcredit Information Group, said: "The acquisition demonstrates our commitment to expanding our fraud and identity protection capabilities and will accelerate growth, provide the opportunity to develop unique, new offerings for our customers and support overseas expansion through Recipero's US footprint."

Established in 2000, Recipero has built one of the world's largest proprietary databases of IMEI data identifying consumer mobile devices by serial number, ownership, theft, loss, insurance and warranty information, known clones, counterfeits and fraudulent trading information.  

Recipero's technology is used to detect and prevent mobile device theft and fraud; comply with legislation around the handling of secondary-market mobile device transactions; and assess whether a device can be activated on a particular mobile network. The Gloucester-based company has grown significantly since its inception and employs 20 people with operations across the UK and US.

Chris Green, Chief Commercial Officer, Callcredit Information Group, said: "The explosion in use of mobile devices for financial transactions, means mobile devices present the biggest, single point of failure for identity theft and fraud. If your phone is stolen, a criminal has everything they need to access your digital identity, including personal, sensitive and financial information.

Recipero offers a natural extension to our existing frad and identity protection solutions and has a number of products that will be embedded into many future solutions."

Recipero will be combined into Callcredit's existing fraud and identity protection solutions business, where the integration of products and solutions will enable Callcredit to bring differentiated solutions to its customers. Recipero operates in sectors which are complementary to Callcredit Information Group, including mobile network operators, retailers, mobile electronics recyclers, insurers, logistics and finance companies, device repair shops, warranty providers and law enforcement agencies.  

Mark Harman, Recipero CEO, said: "Becoming part of Callcredit Information Group is a perfect fit for our business and provides a unique opportunity for Recipero to build on its UK success. This also signifies a step change in our ambitions, allowing us to accelerate our plans to expand our capabilities and scale the US business where we have already established a strong base."

Callcredit engaged the Leeds offices of BDO as financial advisors and Addleshaw Goddard as legal advisors on this transaction. Recipero engaged Portico Capital as financial advisors and Clark Holt as legal advisors on this transaction.

Notes to Editors 

The information in this statement is intended for journalists and media professionals only. The information should not be construed as a financial promotion under the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Handbook of rules and Guidance.

About Callcredit 

http://www.callcredit.co.uk

Callcredit specialises in credit referencing, database marketing solutions and software analytics and fraud and is an expert in managing consumer data for businesses across every sector. The Group is structured into four divisions: Credit Solutions, Marketing Solutions, Software, Analytics and Fraud, and Consumer Markets. Callcredit focuses on developing innovative products and services across these divisions to help businesses make smarter and informed decisions throughout the customer lifecycle.

Founded in 2000, Callcredit includes the UK's second largest credit reference agency (CRA) and employs approximately 1,000 professionals across Leeds, London, Stockport, Warrington and Kent, and its international offices in Japan, China, Dubai and Lithuania and also has agents working across international markets. In 2014 Callcredit was acquired by private equity business, GTCR. 

In a first for UK consumers, in 2011 Callcredit launched Noddle (http://www.noddle.co.uk), the free-for-life credit reporting and scoring service with no hidden fees or 30-day trial periods, which now has more than two million customers. This service helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score and protect against fraud and identity theft.

Recipero Products 

1. Check MEND: Provides access to database of loss and theft reports, insurance claims and other records affecting legal title of mobile devices.
2. NMPR: Provides police and law enforcement agencies with intelligence on the status of mobile devices and other items with a unique serial number.
3. Claims Check: Real-time insurance claim validation tool used by insurers, claims handlers and claims investigators.
4. Stock Watch/Fraud Watch: Provides real-time notifications to retailers to spot device theft.
5. reportMyloss: Online loss-reporting portal that allows users to automatically inform police and insurers of lost property.
6. Immobilise!: Free portal for the registration of personal property.

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