Abstract: A method of providing network access includes entering network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location. The information relates to a request from a customer to obtain network access. The method also includes causing the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device, receiving a payment from the customer, receiving activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device, and providing a presentation instrument to the customer. The presentation instrument may be used by the customer to obtain network access. The method further includes using the presentation instrument to settle a transaction with the customer for merchandise.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a financial transaction. A set of conditions is received that define circumstances for execution of the financial transaction. Funds are collected for each of a plurality of partial payments prior to satisfaction of the set of conditions, with at least two of the partial payments being collected from different persons. The collected funds are accumulated for support of the financial transaction until satisfaction or failure of the set of conditions.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for exchanging alternative currencies. The method includes creating, at an alternative currency platform, a plurality of user accounts and receiving, from a first user in the plurality of user accounts, an alternative currency exchange offer. The alternative currency exchange offer includes one or more offer terms and associated assets. Furthermore, the method includes extending the alternative currency exchange offer from the first user to the second user, in response to receiving acceptance of the offer from the second user, verifying the associated assets of the first user and the second user, and in response to verification of the assets of the first user and second user, providing settlement of the alternative currency exchange offer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing one or a series of value transfers. In some instances, the systems and methods include web or Internet based user interfaces that provide a mechanism whereby a user can implement a transfer plan without interacting with a human operator. Further, in some instances, such systems and methods provide a mechanism for authorizing access to one or more asset accounts from which value is transferred, and/or recipient accounts to which value is transferred. In some cases, the authorization function is performed by an entity that enjoys a pre-existing relationship with a user accessing the systems of the present invention, while any actual transfers are performed by a third party entity. This can be an advantage where authorization requires a signature or other interaction with a user sufficient to conform to electronic signature laws.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow consumers to reload prepaid accounts in-lane at a retail location without providing any personal identification such as a prepaid account numbers, an account number, name, etc. The systems and methods allow a consumer to establish a relationship with a reload package prior to paying for the reload package at the retail location.

Abstract: A money transfer system using a money transfer instrument purchased at a retail location. The system includes a POS terminal for entering a UPC code carried on the instrument. The POS terminal issues a PIN in response to the UPC code, with the PIN printed on a receipt. The customer may enter the PIN on the instrument. The customer later uses the PIN to obtain a money transfer control number (MTCN) associated with a record of the transfer transaction from a money transfer host.

Abstract: A system and method of performing a value-advance money transfer comprising: receiving a money transfer request; determining whether an account associated with a sender of funds includes a sufficient amount of funds to cover a money transfer request; providing an amount of funds from a money transfer provider to the account associated with the sender to cover the money transfer request; making the amount of funds available to the sender for use in the money transfer; and executing a money transfer from the account to the control of the receiver.

Abstract: One method herein includes forwarding an invoice for a purchase agreement made between a seller and a buyer. The method includes receiving a service selection indicating that the invoice is to be paid using an escrow system. The service selection includes a token for verification of a buyer's signatory. The method receives funding confirmation that the buyer has deposited funds into an escrow account. Based on funding confirmation, notification to ship the goods is sent. The method receives shipping confirmation confirming that the goods have been shipped. Upon receipt of the goods, a receiver is authenticated as the authorized signatory using the verification system. This authentication is based on the stored token matching a provided token. Based on verification of the receiver, the goods are released and the deposited funds from the escrow account are deposited into the seller's account.

Abstract: A method for verifying the identity of one party on behalf of another party is provided. The method includes providing a money-transfer system and a communication system that communicates with the money-transfer system; receiving at the money-transfer system from the first party certain verification criteria for confirming the identity of a second party; and storing the verification criteria in the host computer system of the money-transfer system. When an ID is received from the second party at a money-transfer location; the verification criteria is retrieved from the host computer system; and the acceptability of the ID is determined in accordance with the verification criteria. If the identification device is acceptable, identification information is obtained from the identification device; and the identification information is processed to verify the identity of the second party.

Abstract: Tax refunds are provided via a money transfer service. Merely by way of example, a taxpayer (or a tax preparer) might provide to the IRS an account number at a bank, as a target for a direct deposit refund related to a tax return. In an aspect, the account number might have a specific format that informs the bank that the refund is to be processed by the money transfer service, and in another aspect, the account number might include data that identifies the taxpayer to the money transfer service.

Abstract: A system for making financial transfers between subscribers of a financial transfer service is disclosed. The system may include a receiving subscriber interface (RSI), a sending subscriber interface (SSI), and an agent server (AS). The RSI may be configured to accept a set of invoice information including an identifier of a destination account. The SSI may be configured to accept a set of payment information including an identifier of a source account. The AS may be configured to receive the set of invoice information and create an invoice based on the set of invoice information. The AS may also be configured to transmit the invoice and receive the set of payment information. The AS may also be configured to cause an amount of funds to be transferred from the source account on a source transfer network to the destination account on a destination transfer network via a primary transfer network.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a financial transaction. A set of conditions is received that define circumstances for execution of the financial transaction. Funds are collected for each of a plurality of partial payments prior to satisfaction of the set of conditions, with at least two of the partial payments being collected from different persons. The collected funds are accumulated for support of the financial transaction until satisfaction or failure of the set of conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing one or a series of value transfers. In some instances, the systems and methods include web or Internet based user interfaces that provide a mechanism whereby a user can implement a transfer plan without interacting with a human operator. Further, in some instances, such systems and methods provide a mechanism for authorizing access to one or more asset accounts from which value is transferred, and/or recipient accounts to which value is transferred. In some cases, the authorization function is performed by an entity that enjoys a pre-existing relationship with a user accessing the systems of the present invention, while any actual transfers are performed by a third party entity. This can be an advantage where authorization requires a signature or other interaction with a user sufficient to conform to electronic signature laws.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fraud deterrent for retail money transfer or stored value product. In some embodiments, a two dimensional grid of number, letters, characters, and/or symbols can be provided retail packaging or cards that can be used as a second authentication factor in order to redeem funds. In some embodiments, methods and/or systems are also provided that associate control numbers with the grid, create the grid, provide the grid on packaging, and/or use the grid to authenticate a customer.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking obligations incurred between individuals. The method may include receiving a request from a first party, where the request includes an expense incurred by the first party for the benefit of a second party. The method may also include providing a notice of the request to the second party and receiving an acceptance from the second party to assume an obligation associated with the expense. The method may further include associating the obligation with the second party and associating a benefit with the first party. The obligation and/or benefit may be substantially equal in value to the expense. The method may additionally include interfacing with a social network service to provide the social network service with information about the obligation and/or the benefit.

Abstract: A method for designating accounts for funds from a check to be deposited is described. The method includes receiving, at a processing center having a processor, a direct deposit government entitlement check from a government entity to be deposited. The check may include an identifier. The method further includes comparing the identifier with a customer database to determine that funds from the check have been designated to be divided into sub-amounts and deposited into a plurality of accounts. Each of the plurality of accounts has account type and an associated expenditure designation. The method then receives a report of a total amount deposited from the check for each type of associated expenditure designation and each account type.

Abstract: A money transfer system includes a risk assessment system and a risk modeling system. The risk assessment system uses rules engines and Z scores to assess, on a real time basis, risk factors associated with money transfers. The risk modeling system develops risk scores based on historical transaction data in order to create a risk model. The risk model may be analyzed over time to refine the rules engines and take other actions to understand and reduce the risk of improper activity in connection with money transfers.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for analyzing multiple money transfer routing schemes. Each of these multiple money transfer routing schemes may comprise a route to transmit funds from the source for the money transfer transaction to the destination for the money transfer transaction. An internal money transfer routing scheme may refer to a money transfer routing scheme that utilizes a direct money transfer arrangement between the destination of the money transfer transaction and the money transfer network. An external money transfer routing scheme may refer to a money transfer routing scheme that utilizes at least one third party money transfer network between the destination of the money transfer transaction and the money transfer network. The multiple money transfer routing schemes may be analyzed and the preferable money transfer routing scheme at least partially based on the predefined criterion from among the multiple money transfer routing schemes may be identified.

Abstract: A method for generating an electronic message having the appearance of an individual performing a song with a musical artist includes: receiving a selection of a video segment, receiving an image of an individual's face, receiving a recording of the individual signing the song, generating the electronic message from the video segment, receiving information about a recipient of the electronic message, and transmitting the electronic message to the recipient. The video segment includes: a song, a musical artist performing the song, and a character performing the song with the musical artist. Generating the electronic message includes: overlaying the image of the individual's face onto a facial area of the character, simulating movement of one or more facial features of the image, and synchronizing the recording of the individual signing the song with the simulated movement of the facial features.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to initiate, facilitate, process and/or perform money transfers. One such method includes receiving a request for a transfer pair verification from a vendor location (360), and verifying that the transfer pair is associated with a valid transfer pair record (362). The method includes sending the transfer pair verification to the vendor location (368), receiving a money transfer request (370) associated with the transfer pair from the vendor location, and authorizing a money transfer (372) to at least one of a first and second customers associated with the transfer pair. In this manner, a vendor location, which may include a point-of-sale device and may be a retail outlet (e.g., grocery store, gas station, or the like), can be used to facilitate a money transfer between two customers.