System and method for real-time fraud detection within a telecommunication network

• US 7,248,681 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Inventors: McGuire, Michael Joseph, Hatlak, Michael Joseph, Betts, Judy Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BENNY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US11/443,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20060233337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 379/188, 379/189, 379/192, 379/196, 379/207.04, 379/111, 379/112.01, 379/114.01, 379/115.01
• US Class Current: 379/192
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/14 for detecting or protecting against malicious traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks

Abstract

Real time detection of the fraudulent use of a telecommunications network is accomplished by analyzing data for each call that is occurring within the network. A signal protocol receiver is used to collect signaling protocol for each call that is occurring within the network. The Signaling protocol data is collected, decoded and formatted into call information records (CIRs). The CIRs contain various operator specified parameters for each call that is occurring within the network. The CIRs are compared to operator defined thresholds. If any of the CIRs exceeds the thresholds, an alert is generated. The alerts are stored in a database where the operator can analyze them and take the appropriate corresponding action to resolve the alert. The alerts and the CIRs are archived in a database so that trends of fraudulent use can be detected and prevented. This method of fraud detection provides for the effective analyzation of every call that is occurring within the network. Accordingly, no call goes unanalyzed and ideally no fraud goes undetected. Additionally, the method does not impose an additional load on the network switching equipment and therefore results in a better quality of transmissions.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a fraudulent telephone call in a telecommunications system, the method comprising:

(a) collecting signaling protocol data for a telephone call using a signal protocol receiver that is independent from a switch of the telecommunications system;

(b) decoding the signaling protocol data to determine if the call is fraudulent during the duration of the call;

(c) correlating the signaling protocol data into a call information record during the duration of the telephone call; and

(d) determining that the telephone call is fraudulent during the duration of the call by analyzing the call information record.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising canceling the call in response to (d).

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an alert in response to (d).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein generating the alert comprises generating an audio, visual, or remote notification.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

storing the alert in a database; and

maintaining the alert in the database for a predetermined period of time.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the call information record in a database; and

maintaining the call information record in the database for a predetermined period of time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein correlating the signaling protocol data into a call information record comprises:

forming the call information record with at least one of the following parameters;

originating telephone number, terminating telephone number, billing type, using

duration, aggregate duration, and call volume.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein (d) comprises comparing the call information record to a pre-established threshold.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein (d) comprises comparing the call information record to another call information record.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein (a) further comprises collecting in-band signaling protocol data from the switch.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein (a) further comprises collecting out-of-band signaling protocol data from at least one signal transfer point within the telecommunications network.

12. A method for detecting a fraudulent communication within a telecommunications network, the method comprising:

(a) collecting signaling protocol data using a signal protocol receiver that is independent from any switch of the telecommunications network, wherein the signaling protocol data relates to a communication that is occurring over the telecommunications network;

(b) decoding the signaling protocol data;

(c) during the duration of the communication, processing the signaling protocol data to form a call information record; and

(d) determining that the communication is fraudulently occurring over the telecommunications network by analyzing the call information record during the duration of the communication.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

canceling the call in response to (d); and

/or

generating an alert in response to (d).

14. The method of claim 13 wherein generating an alert comprises generating an audio, visual, or remote notification.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

storing data defining the alert in a database and maintaining the data defining the alert in the database for a predetermined period of time; and

storing data about the call information record in a database and maintaining the data about the call information record in the database for a predetermined period of time.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the call information record contains at least one of the following parameters:

originating telephone number, terminating telephone number, billing type, using duration, aggregate duration, and call volume.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein (a) further comprises collecting in-band signaling protocol data from the switch.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein (a) further comprising collecting out-of-band signaling protocol data from at least one signal transfer point within the telecommunications network.

19. A method for detecting a fraudulent communication within a telecommunications network, the method comprising:

(a) at a signal protocol receiver, collecting signaling protocol data that relates to a communication that is occurring over the telecommunications network using the signal protocol receiver;

(b) decoding the signaling protocol data;

(c) arranging the signaling protocol data into a call information record during the duration of the communication;

(d) comparing the call information record to a pre-established threshold during the duration of the communication;

(e) generating an alert if the call information record exceeds the threshold; and

(f) storing the alert in a database.