System and method for providing recovery for victims of check fraud

• US 8,788,377 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2006
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sontiq, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ezshield Incorporated
• Inventors: Browning, John C., Illingworth, Ken, Briggs, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Application Number:
  US11/328,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20060122933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,116 Days
• Field of Search: 705/35, 705/44, 705/311
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4016 involving fraud or risk level assessment in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method for a consumer or business to protect against loss associated with specified forms of check fraud. Upon purchasing checks, a consumer or business can subscribe to a check fraud protection program, for an additional fee. A consumer or business may purchase Check Fraud Protection for an additional fee independent of purchasing checks. The subscription will enable the consumer or business to obtain reimbursement from the service provider for the consumer'"'"'s losses due to specified causes. The consumer or business reciprocally assigns any right of recovery from the consumer'"'"'s or business'"'"'s bank or financial institution to the service provider, which can then seek reimbursement from the bank, or financial institution and institute proceedings against the fraud perpetrator. Protection may be obtained for forged signatures, forged endorsements and altered check. A symbol to indicate such protection is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for providing recovery for victims of check fraud, comprising:

by a system having an electronic database, establishing a Check Fraud Protection service provider to receive subscriptions for a check fraud protection service;

said Check Fraud Protection service provider receiving a subscription for said check fraud protection service, said subscription identifying and recording in a record of the database, a checking account and a sequence of numbered checks to be covered by said check fraud protection service;

said Check Fraud Protection service provider electronically receiving from the subscriber a notification of an occurrence of check fraud against a check within a range of numbers of the checks in such sequence of numbered checks;

said Check Fraud Protection service provider receiving from the subscriber a power of attorney granting said Check Fraud Protection service provider a right to pursue a claim for recovery for such check fraud;

said Check Fraud Protection service provider reimbursing to the subscriber the amount of money paid from the subscriber'"'"'s checking account and fees arising from the check fraud; and

said Check Fraud Protection service provider pursuing the claim for recovery for the check fraud by using the power of attorney; and

upon the Check Fraud Protection service electronically receiving notification of the occurrence of check fraud, directing, by the Check Fraud Protection service, a check printer to print a new series of checks for a new checking account that receives the subscriber'"'"'s funds after the compromised checking account is closed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving from the subscriber the notification of the occurrence of check fraud includes receiving a notification of check fraud including at least one of:

a legitimate blank check that is forged with an authorized signature;

a legitimate check that is endorsed and presented by other than a designated payee based upon a fraudulent endorsement; and

a legitimate check that is altered to benefit an altering party.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscription identifies a sequence of numbered checks from a pre-existing box of checks, said subscription being for a term of months.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the checks from said pre-existing box of checks have been printed by a Check Fraud Protection service provider approved vendor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscription identifies a sequence of numbered checks for a new order of checks from a Check Fraud Protection service provider approved vendor, said method further comprising:

receiving from said subscriber an order for printing a series of checks for the checking account, wherein the order includes an order for check fraud protection;

printing checks according to the order; and

recording the range of numbers of the checks in such order.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of printing checks further comprises the step of printing indicia upon each check to signify that such check is enrolled in the check fraud protection program.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

verifying enrollment in said check fraud protection service based upon indicia upon the check, and the reimbursing is performed after a positive verification.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving notification of the occurrence of check fraud further comprises receiving documented proof of such fraud.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein such documented proof of such fraud comprises a police report.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a power of attorney to pursue a right for recovery for such check fraud further comprises receiving an assignment of the right of recovery by the subscriber.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the checking account comprises a personal or a business checking account.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a power of attorney comprises receiving an assignment of the right of recovery by the subscriber against a financial institution upon which the check is drawn.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the power of attorney and the assignment assign rights to a check printer, the method further comprising:

using the power of attorney to pursue recovery from the financial institution for the check printer.

14. A method for providing recovery for victims of check fraud, comprising the steps of:

by a system having an electronic database, establishing a Check Fraud Protection service provider to receive subscriptions for a check fraud protection service;

said Check Fraud Protection service provider receiving a subscription for said check fraud protection service, said subscription identifying and recording in a record in the database, a checking account and a sequence of numbered checks to be covered by said check fraud protection service;

said Check Fraud Protection service provider electronically receiving from the subscriber a notification of an occurrence of check fraud against a check within the a range of numbers of the checks in such sequence of numbered checks;

said Check Fraud Protection service provider receiving from the subscriber a power of attorney to pursue a claim for recovery for such check fraud;

said Check Fraud Protection service provider reimbursing to the subscriber the amount of money paid from the subscriber'"'"'s checking account and fees arising from the check fraud; and

upon the Check Fraud Protection service electronically receiving notification of the occurrence of check fraud, directing, by the Check Fraud Protection service, a check printer to print a new series of checks for a new checking account that receives the subscriber'"'"'s funds after the compromised checking account is closed.