Abstract: Systems and methods are described for selectively performing telephone number validation determinations in association with proposed financial transactions. In various embodiments, the validity or non-validity of a telephone number offered by a customer in conjunction with a proposed transaction is determined. In one embodiment, a telephone number validation determination is performed for every proposed financial transaction. In one embodiment, a telephone number validation determination is performed for proposed financial transactions in which a promissory payment is offered. In one embodiment, a telephone number validation determination is performed for proposed financial transactions in which the amount of the transaction exceeds a threshold amount.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for accessing information indicative of the validity or non-validity of a telephone number offered in association with a transaction and for using the information to better evaluate the risk of participating in the transaction. In one embodiment, a telephone number validation system accesses stored information about numerical patterning, formatting, and/or correlations that may help to distinguish between valid and non-valid telephone numbers. In one embodiment, a telephone number validation system accesses stored information about telephone numbers that have been previously determined to be valid or non-valid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for storing the results of telephone number validation determinations that are made in association with proposed financial transactions. In some embodiments, a telephone number validation determination is performed by dialing a telephone number in question and by perceiving a tone emitted in response to the call. In one embodiment, a record of a telephone number validation determination comprises the telephone number, an indication of whether the number is determined to be valid or non-valid, and a date on which the validation determination was performed. Systems and methods are also described for using stored telephone number validation information for subsequent telephone number validation determinations, such that the validity or non-validity of telephone numbers for which acceptable validity information is stored may be determined by accessing the stored data, if desired, rather than by dialing the telephone number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using information indicative of whether a phone number received from a customer in conjunction with a proposed financial transaction is valid or non-valid to help assess risk associated with the transaction. In one embodiment, information about the validity or non-validity of a telephone number is used to determine whether or not to accept the proposed financial transaction. In one embodiment, information about the validity or non-validity of a telephone number is converted into a variable that used in conjunction with other risk indicators to produce a risk score for evaluating the risk of a proposed transaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for determining whether a telephone number offered by a customer in conjunction with a proposed financial transaction is valid or non-valid in order to better evaluate the risk of participating in the transaction. In one embodiment, a telephone number validation system directs a point-of-sale device to accept a telephone number from a customer who is offering a promissory payment and to dial the telephone number in order to confirm that the telephone number is a working number prior to accepting the promissory payment. In one embodiment, a suitably configured device may dial a telephone number and may determine whether the telephone number is valid or non-valid based on a perceived tone that is emitted in response to the call.