eSolutions Credit Solutions Suite User guide

eSolutions Credit Solutions Suite User 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



eSolutions features (available with all solution suites) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1



eSolutions benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1



eSolutions target clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1



Products and services offered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2





Credit solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2





Risk models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3





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





Demo capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4





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





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





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





User IDs and passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4





First-time user login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5





Product overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10





eSolutions client education page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11





Help content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12





Credit tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13





Product demonstration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16





eSolutions batch processing overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18





Navigating to Batch services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18





Batch services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19





Navigating to the Upload batch page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23





Upload batch page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24





Validation page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26





Thank You page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28





End user e-mail notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29





Navigating to the Download batch page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30





Download batch page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31





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





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

iv

eSolutions features

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:

eSolutions features (available with all solution suites) • 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

eSolutions benefits • 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

eSolutions target clients 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. 

Products and services offered

Products and services offered 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.

Credit solutions 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 

Products and services offered

Risk models 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 

Products and services offered

• 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

Demo capability 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.

User IDs and passwords 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. 

Products and services offered

First-time user login 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.



Products and services offered

Example:

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



Products and services offered

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:



Products and services offered

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



Products and services offered

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



Products and services offered

Product overview 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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Products and services offered

eSolutions client education page 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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Products and services offered

Help content Users requiring more information can utilize the Help links to display additional information contained in Help pages. Example:

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Products and services offered

Credit tab 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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Products and services offered

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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Products and services offered

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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Products and services offered

Product demonstration 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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Products and services offered

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

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Products and services offered

eSolutions batch processing overview 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.

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

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Products and services offered

Batch services 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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Products and services offered

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: Column number

Field name

Special handling requirements

Column 1 (A in the example screen shot below)

Inquiry ID*

Alphanumeric only; no special characters * The inquiry ID is a unique identifier the user assigns to each consumer.

Column 2 (B in the example screen shot below)

First name

Alpha only

Column 3 (C in the example screen shot below)

Middle name

Alpha only

Column 4 (D in the example screen shot below)

Last name

Alpha only, including dashes (-) and single quotes (‘)

Column 5 (E in the example screen shot below)

Generation code

Acceptable generation codes include: Jr., Sr., I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII or IX

Column 6 (F in the example screen shot below)

Social Security

123456789 or 123-45-6789

Column 7 (G in the example screen shot below)

Current address

Alphanumeric only, including spaces, dashes (-), single quotes (‘), # or /

Column 8 (H in the example screen shot below)

City

Alpha only, including spaces

Column 9 (I in the example screen shot below)

State/Province

Must be one of the supported state abbreviations

Column 10 (J in the example screen shot below)

ZIP CodeTM

Alphanumeric only

Column 11 (K in the example screen shot below)

Reference number

Alphanumeric only, including spaces, dashes (-), single quotes (‘), # or /

Column 12 (L in the example screen shot below)

Type (T-code)

Alphanumeric only

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Products and services offered

Example:

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Products and services offered

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

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Product

Required fields

Credit Profile

Inquiry ID First name Last name Current address ZIP CodeTM

Social Search

Inquiry ID Social Security

Address SearchSM

Inquiry ID Current address ZIP Code

Address Update

Inquiry ID First name Last name Current address ZIP Code

BullseyeSM

Inquiry ID First name Last name Current address ZIP Code

Collection Report

Inquiry ID First name Last name Current address ZIP Code

Connect Check

Inquiry ID First name Last name Social Security

Connect Check/PlusSM

Inquiry ID First name Last name Social Security Current address ZIP Code

Cross ViewSM

Inquiry ID First name Last name Social Security Current address City State ZIP Code

Employment InsightSM

Inquiry ID First name Last name Current address City State ZIP Code

Products and services offered

Navigating to the Upload batch page 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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Products and services offered

Upload batch page 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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Products and services offered

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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Products and services offered

Validation page 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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Products and services offered

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

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Products and services offered

Thank You page 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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Products and services offered

End user e-mail notification 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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Products and services offered

Navigating to the Download batch page 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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Products and services offered

Download batch page 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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Products and services offered

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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Products and services offered

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

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475 Anton Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92626 888 414 1120

475 Anton Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or

888 414 1120

registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. © Experian Information Solutions, Inc. 2007 Other product and company names mentioned herein may be

All rights reserved

the trademarks of their respective owners.

06/07­­­

www.experian.com

4463-0607CS