Abstract: Individuals asked to present two forms of picture identification face a problem as individuals usually only have one form of picture ID, that form of identification generally being a state-issued driver's license. The disclosed invention is a system and method for a party, generally a Customer or Patron, to establish proof of identification to another party, generally a Merchant or Agent, via a mobile phone using the mobile communications networks. The invention thereby provides the Merchant or Agent with an additional capability to verify the identity of Customers, including verification of the date of birth of the Customer. In a preferred embodiment, the invention uses the Short Message Service (“SMS”) and Multimedia Messaging Service (“MMS”) features available on mobile phones, or other wireless communication devices, to establish the identity of a Customer after communicating a request for such identification to a government administered identification database system.

Abstract: Escrow services involve an escrow agent who facilitates an exchange between two parties, typically a payer and a payee. The “cash on delivery” (“C.O.D.”) service is akin to an escrow service, although carriers do not favor C.O.D. services due to their costs. The claimed invention is a method and system which provides an escrow service akin to a C.O.D. service, allowing a carrier to provide the equivalent of a C.O.D. service while shifting payment management to the escrow agent. The system embodying the claimed invention includes electronic devices facilitating electronic communications between the payer and the payee to the transaction. In one embodiment, such electronic communications are provided via the short message service (SMS) feature available on mobile phones and include a notification to the payee that the purchased item was successfully delivered and that the escrowed funds shall be released and delivered to payee.