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Methods and apparatus for allowing internet based purchases based on a temporary credit card number

  • US 6,980,969 B1
  • Filed: 11/16/2000
  • Issued: 12/27/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for allowing a customer at an Internet client device to make Internet based purchases using a temporary credit card number, the method comprising the steps of:

  • during an Internet purchase transaction receiving a message indicative of a request to apply for a credit card account at an Internet server from the Internet client device via the Internet;

    during the Internet purchase transaction transmitting data indicative of an electronic credit card account application from the Internet server to the Internet client device via the Internet;

    during the Internet purchase transaction receiving the credit card account application at the Internet server from the client device via the Internet, the credit card account application including applicant data;

    during the Internet purchase transaction storing the applicant data in a computer readable memory;

    during the Internet purchase transaction verifying the applicant data against a verification database;

    during the Internet purchase transaction, if the applicant data is verified, opening the credit card account and issuing a temporary credit card number associated with the credit card account, the temporary credit card number being unique among a plurality of currently active temporary credit card numbers stored in a temporary account database, the temporary credit card number available for immediate use, after opening the credit card account, as payment in the Internet purchase transaction;

    allowing a plurality of additional Internet based purchases based on the temporary credit card number until the temporary credit card number is deactivated; and

    deactivating the temporary credit card number,wherein the step of deactivating the temporary credit card number comprises the step of expiring the temporary credit card number in response to a predetermined time period elapsing, andwherein the step of deactivating the temporary credit card number in response to a predetermined time period elapsing comprises the step of expiring the temporary credit card number in response to a predetermined time period of customer inactivity at a website elapsing.

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