Customer privacy protection systems and methods

• US 20030120498A1
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Villapudua, Missy L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,240,032 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/22 in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1075 PIN is checked remotely

Abstract

A method for protecting consumer personal data by giving the consumer a choice of privacy preferences linked to their financial payment instruments such as credit cards, checks and the like. The privacy preference data is stored electronically in a database and on the payment instrument.

Claims

1. A method for protecting consumer personal data, the method comprising:

receiving an application for a payment instrument, wherein the application comprises personal data and a privacy preference of a consumer;

saving the application in electronic form in a database; and

storing at least some of the personal data and the privacy preference onto the payment instrument.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the payment instrument comprises a credit or debit card having a magnetic stripe, and wherein at least some of the personal data and the privacy preference are electronically stored on the magnetic stripe.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the payment instrument comprises a check, and wherein the privacy preference is printed onto the check.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the payment instrument comprises a credit or debit card with a processor and electronic memory, and wherein the personal data and the privacy preference are electronically stored in the memory.

5. A method as in claim 1, further comprising reading the personal data and the privacy preference at a merchant location when the consumer is making a purchase using the payment instrument, and saving the personal data and the privacy preference at a merchant storage location.

6. A method as in claim 5, further comprising mailing marketing material to the consumer only if permitted by the consumer'"'"'s privacy preference.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the privacy preference indicates that the consumer would like to receive marketing material only from merchants that the consumer does business with.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the privacy preference indicates that the consumer would like to receive marketing material only from merchants that the consumer does business with and their affiliates.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the privacy preference indicates that the consumer would like to receive marketing material only from the bank that the consumer does business with.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein the privacy preference indicates that the consumer does not want any marketing material.

11. A method for protecting consumer personal data, the method comprising:

receiving in electronic form at a server computer a consumer'"'"'s privacy preference relating to business transactions;

saving the preference in a database;

receiving a request to send a mailing to the consumer;

accessing the database to determine the consumer'"'"'s privacy preference; and

sending the mailing to the consumer only according to the consumer'"'"'s privacy preference.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein the consumer'"'"'s privacy preference indicates that certain marketing material may be sent to the consumer, and wherein the database is accessed to determine if the request may be fulfilled.

13. A method for protecting consumer personal data, the method comprising:

providing the consumer with a payment instrument having stored thereon a privacy preference;

reading the privacy preference from the negotiable instrument when making a purchase at a merchant location;

saving the privacy preference in a merchant database; and

contacting the consumer only in accordance with the privacy preference.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the payment instrument comprises a credit or debit card having a magnetic stripe, and wherein at least some of the personal data and the privacy preference are electronically stored on the magnetic stripe.

15. A method as in claim 13, wherein the payment instrument comprises a check, and wherein the privacy preference is printed onto the check.

16. A method as in claim 13, wherein the payment instrument comprises a credit or debit card with a processor and electronic memory, and wherein the personal data and the privacy preference are electronically stored in the memory.