METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ONLINE FRAUD PROTECTION

• US 20100043055A1
• Filed: 08/12/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baumgart, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,943,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for certifying user identities (IDs). The method includes receiving, from a customer, a certification request for a user ID. The method then identifies the user ID'"'"'s owner and collects information about the owner. The information may include financial information, personal information, biographical information, etc. The method then analyzes the collected information to generate a risk score associated with the user ID, and based on the risk score exceeding a threshold, the method certifies the user ID.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of certifying a user identity (ID), the method comprising:

receiving, from a customer, a certification request for a user ID;

identifying the user ID'"'"'s owner;

collecting information about the owner, wherein the information includes at least one of financial information, personal information, and biographical information;

analyzing the collected information to generate a risk score associated with the user ID; and

based on the risk score exceeding a threshold, certifying the user ID.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, based on the risk score being below the threshold, denying certification of the user ID.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising, in response to denying certification of the user ID, adding the user ID to a restricted list.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising, in response to denying certification of the user ID, transmitting a notification of the denial to the owner of the user ID.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the notification is transmitted to the owner using at least one of text messaging, email, short message service (SMS), and instant messaging.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the notification is a real-time browser message indicating one or more of the following:

approval, denial, certification, and non-certification.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising, in response to denying certification of the user ID, restricting the customer from entering into a transaction with the owner of the user ID.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

in response to denying certification of the user ID, presenting the customer with the risk score for the user ID; and

allowing the customer to decide whether to enter into a transaction with the owner.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the certification of the user ID comprises guaranteeing a successful transaction between the customer and the certified user ID.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, in response to a transaction with the certified user ID defaulting, refunding the customer'"'"'s loss.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

collecting information for additional user IDs;

analyzing the information for the additional user IDs;

generating risk scores for each of the additional user IDs; and

based on the additional user IDs exceeding the threshold, certifying the additional user IDs.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

generating a list of certified user IDs; and

publishing the list.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising associating a certification logo with each of the certified user IDs.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising storing the collected information for the additional user IDs in a database.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

collecting additional information about the additional user IDs; and

updating the additional user IDs with the additional information.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the user ID is associated with an ecommerce website.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the ecommerce website is at least one of an online auction site, a brick and mortar store'"'"'S website, a classified website, and a virtual store website.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the biographical information includes at least one of the owner'"'"'s drivers license number, home address, social security number, work address, home phone number, work phone number, marital status, and employment status.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the financial information includes at least one of the owner'"'"'s transaction history, bank account information, credit account information, credit score, credit report, past transaction faults, and feedback rating.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the past transaction faults include one or more of denial payment, no payment, returned payment, and number of chargebacks per transaction.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer signs up for a certification service.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging a fee for certification of the user ID.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the analysis further includes checking a transaction history associated with the user ID for suspicious activity.

24. A machine-readable medium of certifying a user identity (ID), having sets of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to:

receive, from a customer, a certification request for a user ID;

identify the user ID'"'"'s owner;

collect information about the owner, wherein the information includes at least one of financial information, personal information, and biographical information;

analyze the collected information to generate a risk score associated with the user ID; and

based on the risk score exceeding a threshold, certify the user ID.