Abstract: A VoIP-enabled communications system includes IVR authentication for web initiated telephone calls. A web-based user initiates a telephone call by providing his telephone number and one or more target telephone numbers. In some embodiments, the target telephone number is identified by clicking on a call hyperlink. The system calls the user's telephone number and plays an IVR recording that asks the user to accept or reject the proposed connection to the target telephone number. If the user rejects, then he may be subject to being added to a Do Not Call list. If the user accepts, then the target number is called, and the connection bridged. Alternatively, if the user accepts, then the target number is called, and an IVR recording played. If the target also accepts, then the system bridges the telephone numbers and connects the call. Additional features may also be provided through the IVR recordings, for example, adding or removing numbers from the Do Not Call list.

Abstract: A VoIP-enabled communications system monitors abuse criteria for web initiated telephone calls. A hyperlink in user interface code allows a web-based user to initiate a telephone call to a target telephone number associated with the hyperlink, particularly to merchants of goods and services. If the user clicks on the hyperlink, the target telephone number will be provided to the communications application to facilitate making a telephone call. However, before the call is connected, the user enter a telephone number where the system will call back to bridge the call, and abuse criteria relative to the web-based user's telephone number are evaluated. If the abuse criteria are met, then the call is not connected. For example, one abuse criterion counts the number of times that calls back to the user go unanswered. Another abuse criterion counts the number of times that the target telephone number has been called. If abuse criteria are met, then a voice connection is precluded.

Abstract: A VoIP-enabled communications system includes IVR authentication for web initiated telephone calls. A web-based user initiates a telephone call by providing his telephone number and one or more target telephone numbers. In some embodiments, the target telephone number is identified by clicking on a call hyperlink. The system calls the user's telephone number and plays an IVR recording that asks the user to accept or reject the proposed connection to the target telephone number. If the user rejects, then he may be subject to being added to a Do Not Call list. If the user accepts, then the target number is called, and the connection bridged. Alternatively, if the user accepts, then the target number is called, and an IVR recording played. If the target also accepts, then the system bridges the telephone numbers and connects the call. Additional features may also be provided through the IVR recordings, for example, adding or removing numbers from the Do Not Call list.

Abstract: A VoIP-enabled communications system monitors abuse criteria for web initiated telephone calls. A hyperlink in user interface code allows a web-based user to initiate a telephone call to a target telephone number associated with the hyperlink, particularly to merchants of goods and services. If the user clicks on the hyperlink, the target telephone number will be provided to the communications application to facilitate making a telephone call. However, before the call is connected, the user enter a telephone number where the system will call back to bridge the call, and abuse criteria relative to the web-based user's telephone number are evaluated. If the abuse criteria are met, then the call is not connected. For example, one abuse criterion counts the number of times that calls back to the user go unanswered. Another abuse criterion counts the number of times that the target telephone number has been called. If abuse criteria are met, then a voice connection is precluded.