System and Method for Authenticating Users of Online Services
First Claim
1. A method for authenticating a user of an online service, said method comprising:
- accessing a database on a network, the database including a name, electronic message address, and a telephone number of a user;
sending, in a first electronic communication to an electronic message address associated with the user as stored in the database, a personal identification number;
placing a first call to the user at a telephone number associated with the user as stored in the database;
in response to receiving no answer to the first call at the telephone number associated with the user, leaving a message informing the user of a particular time for a scheduled call-back and placing a second call to the user at the telephone number associated with the user at the particular time;
in response to the user answering at least one of the calls, requesting from the user at least a portion of the personal identification number in the first electronic communication to the user;
receiving a response code from the user in response to the request;
confirming a match of at least a portion of the personal identification number and response code; and
determining that the user is authentic based on confirming a match of at least a portion of the personal identification member and response code.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for verifying authenticity of an online usage of a user may include sending a message in an electronic communication to an electronic message address of a user, interactively communicating with the user a request for a response including at least a portion of the message sent to the user, and determining if a response to the request from the user matches at least a portion of the message sent to the user. The message may include a personal identification number used for verification. A certification link or authentication code may be provided to the user for posting on a website or within an email. The certification link or authentication code, optionally displaying an indicia, may enable other users to have confidence that the user whose website other users access or whose emails other users receive are authentic and not someone impersonating the user.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for authenticating a user of an online service, said method comprising:
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accessing a database on a network, the database including a name, electronic message address, and a telephone number of a user; sending, in a first electronic communication to an electronic message address associated with the user as stored in the database, a personal identification number; placing a first call to the user at a telephone number associated with the user as stored in the database; in response to receiving no answer to the first call at the telephone number associated with the user, leaving a message informing the user of a particular time for a scheduled call-back and placing a second call to the user at the telephone number associated with the user at the particular time; in response to the user answering at least one of the calls, requesting from the user at least a portion of the personal identification number in the first electronic communication to the user; receiving a response code from the user in response to the request; confirming a match of at least a portion of the personal identification number and response code; and determining that the user is authentic based on confirming a match of at least a portion of the personal identification member and response code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for authenticating a user of an online service, such system comprising:
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a database and communication with a network, the database including a name, electronic message address, and telephone number of the user; and at least one processor executing software, said at least one processor in communication with said database and the software configured to; access the database; send a personal identification number in a first electronic communication to an electronic message address associated with the user as stored in the database; place a first call the user at a telephone number associated with the user as stored in the database; in response to receiving no answer to the first call at the telephone number associated with the user, leave a message informing the user of a particular time for a scheduled call-back and place a second call to the user at the telephone number associated with the user at the scheduled call-back time; in response to the user answering at least one of the calls, request from the user at least a portion of the personal identification number sent in the first electronic communication to the user; receive a response code from the user in response to the request; confirm a match of at least a portion of the personal identification number and response code; and determining that the user is authentic based on confirming a match of at least a portion of the personal identification number and response code. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification