Systems and methods for notifying a consumer of changes made to a credit report

• US 7,028,052 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2001
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Equifax, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Equifax, Inc.
• Inventors: Satterfield, Markus R., Trigonoplos, Patrick S., Dodge, Jeffrey L., Chapman, Thomas F., Millard, Joy T., Smythe, Alexander C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wassum, Luke S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu, Kuen S.
• Application Number:
  US09/852,597
• Publication Number:
  US 20020169747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,797 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/102, 707/104.1, 707/200, 705/30, 705/35, 705/38, 705/44, 705/400, 705/412, 709/224
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring unauthorized changes to a database and providing a notification to a user according to preferences set by the user. The user can select one or more data entries within a database to be monitored. When these data entries are changed, a notification is sent to the user.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring modifications on a plurality of elements in a credit reporting database, the modifications being at least partially definable by a user, the system comprising:

at least one server storing at least part of the credit reporting database, the credit reporting database having a plurality of entries, at least one of the entries having a plurality of elements, wherein each element can be modified by a datum collected from at least one financial entity; and

at least one computer program residing in a computer-readable memory in the server, the computer program adapted to continuously monitor the elements of the credit reporting database for modifications to at least one element selected by the user;

wherein the system is capable of generating a credit report for the user and when at least one of said modifications occurs, sending a notification to the user substantially contemporaneously with when said at least one modification occurs, to the user that at least one modification has occurred.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one computer program is capable of sending the notification to more than one destination specified by the user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements correspond to at least

a current address,

a bankruptcy indicator, and

a tax lien indicator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one computer program comprises an e-mail server.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication module is capable of receiving an instruction from the user to place a warning on an element in the credit reporting database.

6. A method for monitoring modifications on a plurality of credit related data elements in a credit reporting database, wherein the plurality of credit related data elements in the credit reporting database are collected from at least one financial entity, the modifications being at least partially definable by a user, the method comprising:

obtaining a selection of at least one credit related data element from the user;

continuously monitoring the at least one credit related data element selected by the user; and

responsive to a change to the at least one credit related data element, notifying the user substantially contemporaneously with when the change occurs about the change to the at least one credit related data element.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

prompting the user for an identification code; and

identifying the user.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the notifying step further comprises:

sending an e-mail notification to the user; and

displaying the change to the user.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

providing the user with an investigation request procedure.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the notifying step further comprises sending a paging signal to the user.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the notifying step further comprises sending a credit change information through a secure transmission media.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one credit related data element is selected from a group consisting of a current address, a bankruptcy indicator, a collections indicator, a legal items indicator, a foreclose indicator, a tax lien indicator, a garnishment indicator, and an inquiry indicator.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving a warning from the user regarding at least one credit related data element.

14. A method for monitoring changes on a plurality of credit related data elements in a credit reporting database, wherein the plurality of credit related data elements in the credit reporting database are collected from a plurality of financial institutions, the changes being at least partially definable by a user, the method comprising:

allowing the user to make a selection of at least one credit related data element to watch;

generating a credit file of the user, the credit file having the plurality of credit related data elements from the credit reporting database;

continuously monitoring and comparing the plurality of credit related data elements in the credit file with the selection; and

responsive to the selection having a credit related data element that is in the credit file, notifying the user substantially contemporaneous with when the credit related data element is detected in the credit file.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein notifying further comprises sending an e-mail to the user, wherein the e-mail has a link to a display web site.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising modifying the selection.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the notifying step further comprises sending a notification to a wireless communication device.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the notifying step further comprises sending a notification to a personal digital assistant.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising checking the credit file for modification flags.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one credit related data element is selected from a group consisting of a current address, a bankruptcy indicator, a collections indicator, a legal items indicator, a foreclose indicator, a tax lien indicator, a garnishment indicator, and an inquiry indicator.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a warning from the user regarding at least one credit related data element in the credit file.

22. A method of monitoring changes to at least one credit related data element of a credit reporting database, the method comprising:

inputting a selection of the at least one credit related data element in a credit file of a user for continuous monitoring;

providing a destination;

generating a notification to the user substantially contemporaneously with when a change is detected;

receiving the notification at the destination; and

reviewing the change.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the destination is a user-computing device.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprises requesting an investigation on the changes.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

providing a warning regarding the change to the credit reporting database.

26. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program for monitoring data modifications in a credit reporting database, wherein the data in the credit reporting database are collected from a plurality of financial institutions, the computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a computer perform the following:

continuously monitoring at least a portion of data in the credit reporting database;

detecting data changes in the credit reporting database that are in a credit file of a user;

identifying a customer, the customer being the user;

notifying the customer substantially contemporaneously with when the changes are detected about the changed data; and

displaying the changed data to the customer.

27. The computer program of claim 26 further performing:

receiving an identification code from the customer; and

authenticating the customer.

28. The computer program of claim 26 further performing:

displaying a group of credit related data to the customer, wherein the group of credit related data consists of a current address, a bankruptcy indicator, a collections indicator, a legal items indicator, a foreclose indicator, a tax lien indicator, a garnishment indicator, and an inquiry indicator; and

receiving a data selection from the customer, wherein the customer selects a data from the group of credit related data.

29. The computer program of claim 26 further providing an investigation process to the customer.

30. The computer program of claim 26, further performing:

receiving a warning from the user regarding the changed data; and

storing the warning in the credit reporting database.

31. A method for providing credit modification monitoring service to a user, the method comprising:

subscribing to the credit modification monitoring service;

selecting a method of notification, wherein the method of notification comprises communication to the user substantially contemporaneous with when a change to at least one credit-related data element associated with the user is detected;

selecting at least one credit-related data element associated with the user for continuous monitoring; and

providing a method of payment.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising;

setting a subscription price.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the subscription price depends on the number of credit-related data elements selected for monitoring.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the subscription price depends on the method of notification selected.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein selection of a method of notification further comprises

selecting a timing of notification.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the timing of notification may be selected from a group consisting of immediate notification, periodic notification, and upon request notification.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the subscription price depends on a frequency of the selected notification.

38. The method of claim 35 further comprising setting a subscription price, wherein the subscription price depends on the timing of notification.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the method of payment is selected from a group consisting of monthly, annually, and per use basis.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein the method of payment is on a prepay basis.

41. A system for monitoring modifications to a credit reporting database, the modifications being at least partially definable by a user, the system comprising:

at least one server storing at least part of the credit reporting database, the credit reporting database having a plurality of entries, at least one of the entries having a plurality of elements, wherein each element can be modified by a datum collected from a plurality of credit reporting agencies; and

at least one computer program residing in a computer-readable memory in the server, the at least one computer program adapted to

continuously monitor the modifications to at least one element selected by the user,

report when at least a first modification to the at least one element occurs,

send a notification substantially contemporaneously with when the first modification to the at least one element occurs, to the user that a first modification has occurred,

report when at least a second modification to the at least one element occurs, and

send a notification substantially contemporaneously with when the second modification to the at least one element occurs, to the user that the second modification has occurred.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the first modification comprises an erroneous modification to the at least one element and the second modification comprises a correction of the erroneous modification to the at least one element.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one computer program is capable of sending the notification to more than one destination specified by the user.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the plurality of elements correspond to at least

a current address,

a bankruptcy indicator, and

a tax lien indicator.

45. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one computer program comprises an e-mail server.

46. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one computer program is further adapted to receive an instruction from the user to place a warning on an element in the credit reporting database.

47. A method for monitoring modifications on a plurality of credit related data elements in a credit reporting database, wherein the plurality of credit related data elements in the credit reporting database are collected from a plurality of financial institutions, the modifications being at least partially definable by a user, the method comprising:

obtaining a selection of at least one credit related data element from the user;

continuously monitoring the at least one credit related data element selected by the user;

notifying the user about a first modification to the at least one credit related data element substantially contemporaneously with when the first modification occurs; and

notifying the user about a second modification to the at least one credit related data element substantially contemporaneously with when the second modification occurs.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the first modification comprises an erroneous modification to the at least one credit related data element and the second modification comprises a correction of the erroneous modification to the at least one credit related data element.

49. The method of claim 47 further comprising:

prompting the user for an identification code; and

identifying the user.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein either notifying step further comprises:

sending an e-mail notification to the user; and

displaying the change to the user.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

providing the user with an investigation request procedure.

52. The method of claim 47, wherein either notifying step further comprises sending a paging signal to the user.

53. The method of claim 47, wherein either notifying step further comprises sending a credit change information through a secure transmission media.

54. The method of claim 47, wherein the at least one credit related data element is selected from a group consisting of a current address, a bankruptcy indicator, a collections indicator, a legal items indicator, a foreclose indicator, a tax lien indicator, a garnishment indicator, and an inquiry indicator.

55. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

receiving a warning from the user regarding at least one credit related data element.

56. A method for monitoring changes on a plurality of credit related data elements in a credit reporting database, wherein the plurality of credit related data elements in the credit reporting database are collected from at least one financial entity, the changes being at least partially definable by a user, the method comprising:

allowing the user to make a selection of at least one credit related data element to watch;

generating a credit file of the user, the credit file having the plurality of credit related data elements from the credit reporting database;

comparing the plurality of credit related data elements in the credit file with the selection to determine if the at least one credit related data element that was selected has been modified; and

responsive to the selection having a first modification of credit related data element that is in the credit file, notifying the user substantially contemporaneously with when the first modification of credit related data element is detected in the credit file;

responsive to the selection having a second modification of credit related data element that is detected in the credit file, notifying the user substantially contemporaneously with when the second modification of credit related data element is detected in the credit file.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the first modification of credit related data element comprises an erroneous change to the credit related data element and the second modification of credit related data element comprises a correction of the erroneous change to the credit related data element.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein either notifying step further comprises sending an e-mail to the user, wherein the e-mail has a link to a display web site.

59. The method of claim 56 further comprising modifying the selection.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein either notifying step further comprises sending a notification to a wireless communication device.

61. The method of claim 56, wherein either notifying step further comprises sending a notification to a personal digital assistant.

62. The method of claim 56 further comprising checking the credit file for modification flags.

63. The method of claim 56, wherein the at least one credit related data element is selected from a group consisting of a current address, a bankruptcy indicator, a collections indicator, a legal items indicator, a foreclose indicator, a tax lien indicator, a garnishment indicator, and an inquiry indicator.

64. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

receiving a warning from the user regarding at least one credit related data element in the credit file.

65. A method of monitoring changes to at least one credit related data element in a credit file of a user of a credit reporting database, the method comprising:

inputting a selection of the at least one credit related data element for continuously monitoring;

providing a destination;

generating a first notification to the user substantially contemporaneously with when a first change to the at least one credit related data element is detected;

receiving the first notification at the destination;

generating a second notification substantially contemporaneously with when a second change to the at least one credit related data element is detected;

receiving the second notification at the destination; and

reviewing the changes.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the first change comprises an erroneous modification to the at least one credit related data element and the second change comprises a correction of the erroneous modification to the at least one credit related data element.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the destination is a user-computing device.

68. The method of claim 65 further comprises requesting an investigation on the changes.

69. The method of claim 65, further comprising:

providing a warning regarding the change to the credit reporting database.

70. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program for monitoring data modifications in a credit reporting database, wherein the data in the credit reporting database are collected from a plurality of financial institutions, the computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a computer perform the following:

detecting data changes in the credit reporting database that are in a credit file of a user, wherein the data changes comprise at least a first change and a second change;

identifying a customer, the customer being a the user;

notifying the customer substantially contemporaneously with when data changes are detected; and

displaying the data changes to the customer.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, wherein the first change comprises an erroneous modification to the data and the second change comprises a correction of the erroneous modification to the data.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 70 further performing:

receiving an identification code from the customer; and

authenticating the customer.

73. The computer-readable medium of claim 70 further performing:

displaying a group of credit related data to the customer, wherein the group of credit related data consists of a current address, a bankruptcy indicator, a collections indicator, a legal items indicator, a foreclose indicator, a tax lien indicator, a garnishment indicator, and an inquiry indicator; and

receiving a data selection from the customer, wherein the customer selects a data from the group of credit related data.

74. The computer-readable medium of claim 70 further providing an investigation process to the customer.

75. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further performing:

receiving a warning from the user regarding the changed data; and

storing the warning in the credit reporting database.

76. A method for providing credit modification monitoring service to a user, the method comprising:

subscribing to the credit modification monitoring service;

selecting a method of notification, wherein the method of notification comprises communication to the user substantially contemporaneously with when a first change to at least one credit-related data element is detected, and further comprises communication to the user substantially contemporaneously with when a second change to the at least one credit-related data element is detected;

selecting at least one credit-related data element associated with the user for continuously monitoring; and

providing a method of payment.

77. The computer-readable medium of claim 76, wherein the first change comprises an erroneous modification to the at least one credit-related data element and the second change comprises a correction of the erroneous modification to the at least one credit-related data element.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein selection of a method of notification further comprises:

selecting a timing of notification.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the timing of notification may be selected from a group consisting of immediate notification, periodic notification, and upon request notification.

80. The method of claim 78 further comprising setting a subscription price, wherein the subscription price depends on the timing of notification.

81. The method of claim 76 further comprising;

setting a subscription price.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the subscription price depends on the number of credit-related data elements selected for monitoring.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein the subscription price depends on the method of notification selected.

84. The method of claim 81, wherein the subscription price depends on a frequency of the selected notification.

85. The method of claim 76, wherein the method of payment is selected from a group consisting of monthly, annually, and per use basis.

86. The method of claim 76, wherein the method of payment is on a prepay basis.