When and Where To Buy Consumer Data (And 12 Companies Who Sell It): Major data vendors focus primarily on individual consumer interests and spending, finance and demographics. Here are some names to know.
Credit Reports and Scores: Key sources for credit history are the so-called “Big Three” credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each of these agencies is required to provide you your own report once a year, which is an easy way to see exactly what kind of information is available to your business. The agencies primarily support two kinds of inquiries, credit (appropriate for assessing an application for a credit card or loan) and marketing (the inquiries that power all that junk mail offering you preapproved credit cards). Although many companies provide credit scores, the dominant source is Fair Isaac Corporation (whose scores are also resold by the credit reporting agencies).
Email Address Enhancement: An email address doesn’t tell you much. Towerdata adds demographics, alternate contact addresses, interests and purchase information.
Viewing and Listening: Nielsen is the dominant name in audience research across media including television, internet, and radio.
Buying: Axciom, IRI and Neilsen know a lot about what people buy. Axciom’s data is about the individual, while IRI and Nielsen have more information about products and point of sale.
Identity: Intelius and ID Analytics provide identity and background information for fraud prevention and other uses.
Credit Reports and Scores: Key sources for credit history are the so-called “Big Three” credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each of these agencies is required to provide you your own report once a year, which is an easy way to see exactly what kind of information is available to your business. The agencies primarily support two kinds of inquiries, credit (appropriate for assessing an application for a credit card or loan) and marketing (the inquiries that power all that junk mail offering you preapproved credit cards). Although many companies provide credit scores, the dominant source is Fair Isaac Corporation (whose scores are also resold by the credit reporting agencies).
Email Address Enhancement: An email address doesn’t tell you much. Towerdata adds demographics, alternate contact addresses, interests and purchase information.
Viewing and Listening: Nielsen is the dominant name in audience research across media including television, internet, and radio.
Buying: Axciom, IRI and Neilsen know a lot about what people buy. Axciom’s data is about the individual, while IRI and Nielsen have more information about products and point of sale.
Identity: Intelius and ID Analytics provide identity and background information for fraud prevention and other uses.