Abstract: A novel solution to the vexing problem of how to secure a cashless transaction card and card account from unauthorized use. By adding enhanced security to a cashless transaction card, the present invention significantly reduces, and may in fact eliminate, unauthorized use of a cashless transaction card and card account. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a cashless transaction card and card account are linked with an authentication device that must be in proximity with the cashless transaction card when that card is being used for a cashless transaction. In this way, the present invention makes unauthorized use of the card significantly less likely. The authentication device is chosen by the owner and linked thereby with the cashless transaction card and card account. Only when the authentication device is in proximity with the cashless transaction card will a cashless transaction be authorized.

Abstract: A method for estimation of parking rates based on location and transaction data includes: storing transaction data entries, each including a geographic location or merchant identifier and transaction amount; storing location data entries, each including a geographic location and a length of time; identifying a subset of transaction data entries where the included geographic location or merchant identifier are associated with a parking area; identifying a subset of location data entries where the included geographic location is included in a predefined geographic area associated with the parking area; identifying an average parking time based on the length of time in each location data entry of the subset; identifying an average cost amount based on the transaction amount included in each transaction data entry of the subset; and identifying an estimated parking rate for the parking area based on the average parking time and cost.