Abstract: A method and apparatus for credit card purchase authorization includes using a credit card validation unit to transmit to a credit card company computer a purchase amount, a credit card number and a purchase token comprising both the purchase amount and credit card number which are encrypted using the user's personal identification code as a key. The transmission can be made by a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone or PCS communications device. The credit card company computer creates a test token by encrypting the received credit card number and purchase amount using a stored user's personal identification code number as a key. The test token is then compared to the purchase token. If the test token corresponds to the purchase token, the purchase is considered to be authorized.

Abstract: A voice mail system voice mail mailbox having a message container storing a plurality of messages and a pointer indicating a message in the message container. The pointer is initially set to point to a first message in the message container. A first user accesses the voice mail mailbox. At the same time, or any time thereafter, a second user also accesses the voice mail mailbox. Responsive to a command from the first user, the first message is played to the first user. The pointer is then updated to point to a second message in the message container. Responsive to a command from the second user, the second message is played to the second user, simultaneously with the first message being played to the first user.