Multi-bureau credit file freeze and unfreeze

• US 10,115,155 B1
• Filed: 09/14/2017
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Experian Information Solutions Incorporated (Experian plc)
• Original Assignee: Experian Marketing Solutions Incorporated (Experian plc)
• Inventors: Haller, Eric, Kent, Kelly
• Primary Examiner(s): Ojiaku, Chikaodinaka
• Application Number:
  US15/704,289
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof

Abstract

The systems and methods described herein allow consumers to lock or unlock their credit files at multiple credit bureaus in real-time or near real-time. The service may allow a consumer to provide identifying information, such as a personal identifier to lock or unlock credit files at a plurality of credit bureaus over a network. Upon receiving the personal identifier, the system may use the personal identifier to translate the identifier into a plurality of access codes for respective credit bureaus, for example by accessing a data structure, such as a database or table, that stores a personal identifier and access codes that are associated with a consumer. The system may then use the access codes to automatically initiate locking or unlocking of credit files for the consumer at the respective credit bureaus.

Claims

1. A computing system configured to allow a user to remotely unlock credit data of the user at each of a plurality of credit bureaus, wherein the credit data of the user can be unlocked at the plurality of credit bureaus only with authorization from the user, the computing system comprising:

a touchpad computing device configured to receive an identifier of the user; and

a communication interface configured to allow the touchpad computing device to communicate a credit data sharing authorization to a server computing system, wherein the server computing system stores a database indicating an identifier of the user in association with at least each of a first access protocol for a first credit bureau of the plurality of credit bureaus and a second access protocol for a second credit bureau of the plurality of credit bureaus;

wherein the touchpad computing device is configured to;

present a user interface indicating an option for the user to unlock the credit data of the user at each of the first credit bureau and the second credit bureau;

detect input requesting unlocking of credit data of the user; and

in response to detecting the input requesting unlocking of credit data of the user, transmit the credit data sharing authorization to the server computing system;

wherein the server computing system is further configured to, in response to receiving the credit data sharing authorization from the touchpad computing device;

determine, based on an association with the identifier of the user, a first access protocol associated with the first credit bureau;

request unlocking of the credit data of the user at the first credit bureau using the first access protocol;

determine, based on an association with the identifier of the user, a second access protocol associated with the second credit bureau; and

request unlocking of the credit data of the user at the second credit bureau using the second access protocol.

2. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the server computing system is further configured to request locking of the credit data of the user at the first credit bureau when a predetermined time period from unlocking the credit data of the user has passed.

3. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the touchpad computing device comprises at least one of:

a mobile device, a keypad, a card reader, a point of sale terminal, or a biometric data reader.

4. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the server computing system is further configured to receive, from the touchpad computing device, an identification of a third party.

5. The computing system of claim 4, wherein the server computing system is further configured to, in response to receiving, from the touchpad computing device, the identification of the third party:

transmit a first access request for the first credit bureau to provide access to credit data of the user to the third party; and

transmit a second access request for the second credit bureau to provide access to credit data of the user to the third party.

6. A computerized method for allowing a user to remotely unlock credit data of the user at each of a plurality of credit bureaus, wherein the credit data of the user can be unlocked at the plurality of credit bureaus only with authorization from the user, the computerized method comprising:

coordinating communication between;

a server computing system storing a database indicating an identifier of the user in association with at least each of a first access protocol for a first credit bureau of the plurality of credit bureaus and a second access protocol for a second credit bureau of the plurality of credit bureaus;

a touchpad computing device, remotely located from the server and configured to receive an identifier of the user; and

wherein the touchpad computing device is configured to;

present a user interface indicating an option for the user to unlock the credit data of the user at each of the first credit bureau and the second credit bureau;

detect input requesting unlocking of credit data of the user; and

in response to detecting the input requesting unlocking of credit data of the user, transmit a credit data sharing authorization to the server computing system;

wherein the server computing system is further configured to, in response to receiving the credit data sharing authorization from the touchpad computing device;

determine, based on an association with the identifier of the user, a first access protocol associated with the first credit bureau;

request unlocking of the credit data of the user at the first credit bureau using the first access protocol;

determine, based on an association with the identifier of the user, a second access protocol associated with the second credit bureau; and

request unlocking of the credit data of the user at the second credit bureau using the second access protocol.

7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, the computer-executable instructions executable by a computing system having one or more hardware processors, wherein the computer-executable instructions are executable on the computing system in order to cause the computing system to perform operations comprising:

coordinating communication between;

a server computing system storing a database indicating an identifier of the user in association with at least each of a first access protocol for a first credit bureau of the plurality of credit bureaus and a second access protocol for a second credit bureau of the plurality of credit bureaus;

a touchpad computing device, remotely located from the server and configured to receive an identifier of the user; and

wherein the touchpad computing device is configured to;

present a user interface indicating an option for the user to unlock the credit data of the user at each of the first credit bureau and the second credit bureau;

detect input requesting unlocking of credit data of the user; and

in response to detecting the input requesting unlocking of credit data of the user, transmit a credit data sharing authorization to the server computing system;

wherein the server computing system is further configured to, in response to receiving the credit data sharing authorization from the touchpad computing device;

determine, based on an association with the identifier of the user, a first access protocol associated with the first credit bureau;

request unlocking of the credit data of the user at the first credit bureau using the first access protocol;

determine, based on an association with the identifier of the user, a second access protocol associated with the second credit bureau; and

request unlocking of the credit data of the user at the second credit bureau using the second access protocol.