Methods and systems for fraud containment

• US 9,633,201 B1
• Filed: 03/01/2013
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The 41st Parameter, Inc. (Experian plc)
• Original Assignee: The 41st Parameter, Inc. (Experian plc)
• Inventors: Katz, Elazar
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Chau
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chaudhry, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US13/782,745
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 726 13
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/55 Detecting local intrusion or implementing counter-measures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/552 involving long-term monitoring or reporting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/577 Assessing vulnerabilities and evaluating computer system security
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03

Abstract

Systems and methods for fraud containment are provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A fraud event may be detected. One or more devices that may be used in perpetrating the fraud event may be detected. Additionally one or more potential fraud victims, who may be grouped into victim circles may be detected. The threat level to the victims and/or victim circles may be assessed. In some instances, behavioral profiles may be utilized to make fraud assessments. Based on the threat level, recommendations for fraud containment responses may be provided.

Claims

1. A method for fraud containment comprising:

determining, by one or more computers, a degree of separation proximity of a device to a known fraud event, wherein the degree of separation proximity indicates a number of devices or accounts that relationally separate the device and a perpetrator fraud device used to carry out the known fraud event;

based on said proximity, determining, by the one or more computers, that the device is at high risk for fraud involvement;

identifying, by the one or more computers, one or more user accounts associated with the device;

identifying, by the one or more computers, one or more potential victim accounts from the one or more user accounts associated with the device; and

determining a risk level for the one or more potential victim accounts,

wherein the proximity is further based on the time the device accessed an account, and the fraud event occurred involving the account or a user associated with the account, and

wherein the device is determined to be at high risk for fraud involvement when the device proximity to the fraud event is closer than a predetermined threshold.

2. A method for fraud containment comprising:

determining, by one or more computers, a degree of separation proximity of a virtual representation of an individual to a known fraud event, wherein the degree of separation proximity indicates a number of devices or accounts that relationally separate the virtual representation of the individual and a perpetrator fraud device used to carry out the known fraud event;

based on said proximity, determining, by the one or more computers, that the virtual representation is at high risk for fraud involvement;

identifying, by the one or more computers, one or more user accounts associated with the virtual representation;

identifying, by the one or more computers, one or more potential victim accounts from the one or more user accounts associated with the virtual representation; and

determining a risk level for the one or more potential victim accounts,

wherein the proximity is further based on the time the virtual representation accessed an account, and the fraud event occurred involving the account or a user associated with the account, and

wherein the virtual representation is determined to be at high risk for fraud involvement when the proximity of the virtual representation to the fraud event is closer than a predetermined threshold.