profile updated Mar 23, 2008, 11:44 AM

After spinning off from credit-reporting service Equifax in 1997, ChoicePoint built itself into a huge multi-service data broker. From more humble beginnings as a claims history archive for insurance companies, ChoicePoint today sells data -- especially personal data gleaned from thousands of sources -- to direct mailers, law firms, insurance companies and underwriters, and government, as well as to consumers directly. For the HR industry, ChoicePoint offers a variety of background checking, drug tests, personality assessments, credential verification, and the like. This part of its business is second in revenue only to the insurance services.

Despite dealing in sensitive information, ChoicePoint has repeatedly found itself embroiled in controversy. A company it acquired in 2000 (DBT Online) became involved in the debate over the outcome of that year's presidential election as a result of its work on Florida's voter regsitration rolls. Other controversies included the sale of data to a Nigerian scammer, misuse of data by sham companies that were allowed to buy data, and investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission and state attorneys general into the company's data practices. By 2007, ChoicePoint had adopted so many reforms that USA Today said the company was considered a corporate role model for the data collection and aggregation industry.

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Products & Services

  • WorkPlace Solutions

    Not a product, but an internal division that provides a range of pre-employment services to employers, including drug testing, background checks, assessments, and biometric services. The company serves small to mid-sized companies as well as large firms.
    learn more »

ChoicePoint

http://www.choicepoint.com/
1000 Alderman Dr
Aplharetta, GA 30005
phone:
(877) 317-5000
ticker:
CPS
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Company Details

Facts and figures about ChoicePoint

Year founded
1997
Number of employees
5,500
Annual revenue
$1.03 billion (2006)

People

Key employees at ChoicePoint

  • Derek V. Smith
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  • David E. Trine
    Chief Financial Officer
  • Steven W. Surbaugh
    Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative
  • Douglas C. Curling
    President and Chief Operating Officer
  • David T. Lee
    Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer