The acquisition of Neustar is the largest transaction for TransUnion and is expected to advance the company’s growth in identity-based solutions

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Sontiq provides digital identity protection and security services. (Credit: Pete Linforth from Pixabay.)

US-based consumer credit reporting agency TransUnion has completed the acquisition of identity resolution company Neustar for $3.1bn.

Neustar was owned by a private investment group, led by Golden Gate Capital and with minority participation by GIC.

The company offers marketing, fraud and communications solutions that combine decision analytics with real-time identity resolution services through its OneID platform.

Neustar Security Services, its security business is not included in the transaction and will continue as an individual portfolio company of Golden Gate Capital and GIC.

TransUnion president and CEO Chris Cartwright said: “We’re confident that TransUnion’s powerful digital identity assets, augmented by Neustar’s distinctive talent, data, digital resolution capabilities, and products and services will extend trust among consumers and businesses.”

Neustar president and CEO Charlie Gottdiener said: “This is an exciting milestone for Neustar. Solutions that facilitate global commerce by enabling secure online transactions are in great demand in today’s growing digital economy.

“The combination of TransUnion’s powerful digital identity assets and Neustar’s distinctive data and identity resolution capabilities presents enormous opportunities ahead.”

In a separate development, TransUnion has also closed the acquisition of digital identity protection and security services provider Sontiq for $638m.

Sontiq is engaged in providing identity monitoring, restoration, and response products and services to help consumers and businesses protect against identity theft and cyber threats.

The company developed an Intelligent Identity Security platform, which serves as a base for its identity theft and cyber threat protection solutions.

According to TransUnion, Sontiq’s identity security monitoring products include its credit data, and the offerings will complement its digital identity assets and solutions.

The transaction will create a combined company that offers a complete suite of omnichannel solutions for consumers and businesses.

Cartwright said: “We’re pleased to complete this acquisition and look forward to beginning the integration of Sontiq into TransUnion.

“Bringing the Sontiq family of products into TransUnion’s portfolio creates a best-in-class identity protection and cyber security platform that advances our focus on digital safety and security, providing a comprehensive set of tools for consumers and businesses to transact with greater certainty.”