Abstract: A method and facilitator system (11) to facilitate access by a subsciber (17) of a telecommunications provider (13) to a service or merchandise provided by a service provider (15) is disclosed. In the method and system, the facilitator (11) receives a first communication (23) from the subscriber (17) requesting provision of a service or merchandise via a telecommunications network. The facilitator (11) generates, and records a PIN against data from the communication, and sends (25) the PIN to the subscriber. The facilitator (11) awaits, via a tracked session, a second communication (27) from the subscriber (17) in confirmation of receipt of the PIN within a predetermined period of time, where if there is no confirmation within the predetermined period of time, the facilitator (11) voids the transaction.

Abstract: A system for authenticating the identity of a user comprising a user and an authenticating party, where the user enters identifying information to a web page associated with the authenticating party along with details of a communication identifier, the authenticating party generates a unique passkey and sends a communications message including the unique passkey to the user by way of the communication identifier, the user then operable to enter a passkey using an appropriate mechanism provided for at the web page and where the authenticating party authenticates the identity of the user in accordance with the result of a comparison between the passkey entered via the web page and the generated unique passkey. The system can also be performed by entering information and receiving information via a second destination address. Further embodiments describe a system for transferring credit of a mobile phone or SIM card to a new mobile phone on authentication of the identity of a user.