About Us

Fact Sheet

Corporate History

• Incorporated in Phoenix, Arizona as Merchant's and Manufacturer's Exchange on February 15, 1912 - the day after Arizona became a state. The company originally functioned as a board of trade and better business bureau.
• Offered consumer credit-reporting services in the early 1920s.
• Became a non-stock, member-owned corporation in 1928.
• Unofficially changed name to The Credit Bureau of Phoenix in 1946. The change became official in 1958.
• Began acquiring and automating other Arizona credit-reporting agencies in 1971.
• Changed name to Credit Data of Arizona in 1973. Over the next decade, our company opened new offices and automated credit-reporting agencies in Tucson, Albuquerque, and El Paso.
• Changed name to Credit Data Southwest in 1985.
• Changed name to Merchants Information Solutions, Inc. in 1999.
• Acquired Personnel Profiles Employment Screening to form background screening services powerhouse in 2006.
• Acquired American Tescor, LLC adding behavioral assessments to screening tools in 2006.
• Continues to expand by purchase of Scottsdale-based ID Advocates in early 2007.
• Creates SmartIDentity, an Identity Theft suite of services focused on fully-managed victim identity theft victim recovery in 2007.
  
• SmartIDentity counts more than 1 million members, only 3 years after inception in 2010.
• Creates the SmartIDentity for Business suite of services to combat the ever-growing data breach epedemic in 2011.
• Merchants celebrates 100 years in business in 2012, being founded the day after Arizona became a state, Merchants is recognized as one of the oldest businesses in Arizona during the states centennial celebration.
• SmartIDentity counts more than 5 million members in 2013.
• Rebrands the behavioral assessment IntegrityFirst, to better align the brand with the purpose of the assessment in the marketplace in 2016.
• SmartIDentity counts more than 10 million members in 2016 and growing.

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Consumer Testimonials

“What a fine team assisted me in my identity theft event.  To call her diligent is to understate her level of job performance.  She is both compassionate and professional. Thanks SO much for having such high quality people to help fraud victims in these trying (and annoying!) situations. Sincerely”. William P. We Florida Financial – Kelly

“I’m so thankful for my Recovery Advocate. She was the sweetest most caring person I have dealt with in a long time. She took her time & helped me with a recent inquiry that was either a loan or a credit card that I didn’t apply for by calling the company & she was very good at not backing down.  Once they said it was shipped to old address and in my former married name she knew it was identity theft. I haven’t lived there or had that name in 4 yrs and then she completed the disputes with all 3 credit bureaus. She was wonderful to deal with and I would recommend her to anyone.” Patsi F. Marion Center Bank ULT-ID – Rachel

“I loved talking with my Recovery Advocate and the assistance she provided”. Martin W. Minnco CU – Rachel

“I could not have assisted for a better or more professional person to assist me with my identity theft event.”   Kelly T. Northeast Community CU – Reyna

“Working with my Recovery Advocate was great. Thank you.”   Arvin B. First Community CU – Reyna

“Your Representative was quick to respond and pleasant to deal with. Many Thanks!”   David S. Service CU – Kelly

“Both Representatives I spoke with, were very helpful.”   Vicky W. Dacotah Bank – Rachel and Reyna

“It was comforting to have you assist me with my identity theft event. I’m pleased to know I have this coverage if ever needed again.”   Shelley C.  Service CU– Kelly

“My Advocate was easy to work with, knowledgeable, helpful and really nice.”   Teri B. Marion Center Bank- ULT ID – Martha

“Excellent assistance and service. Thank you.”   Richard B. ERIEBANK– Rachel

“My Fraud Specialists was a great help and very courteous and professional.”   Keri B. FNB and Trust Chickasha ULT-ID - Rosemarie

“My Advocate always talked in an easy and polite manner. You can tell she really cared about getting all my issues resolved.” Edna S. Minnco CU – Rachel

“All I have to say, is thank you for doing such a great job, period.” William P. We Florida – Kelly