Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method (100) for the dynamic verification of a consumer engaged in a transaction with a merchant (12) and authorization of the transaction. The method (100) comprises the steps of: providing a consumer transaction data set (16) including a plurality of data fields to a central credit issuer database (14); determining a processing queue (22) based upon the data contained in at least one of the data fields in the consumer transaction data set (16), the processing queue (22) including a plurality of prioritized target transactions (24); comparing at least one data field from the consumer transaction data set (16) directed to the consumer engaged in the prioritized target transaction (24) with at least one data field in at least one of the central credit issuer database (14) and a third party database (26); and determining a consumer/transaction identifier (36) based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method (100) for the dynamic verification of a consumer engaged in a transaction with a merchant (12) and authorization of the transaction. The method (100) comprises the steps of: providing a consumer transaction data set (16) including a plurality of data fields to a central credit issuer database (14); determining a processing queue (22) based upon the data contained in at least one of the data fields in the consumer transaction data set (16), the processing queue (22) including a plurality of prioritized target transactions (24); comparing at least one data field from the consumer transaction data set (16) directed to the consumer engaged in the prioritized target transaction (24) with at least one data field in at least one of the central credit issuer database (14) and a third party database (26); and determining a consumer/transaction identifier (36) based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for completing a transaction between a customer and at least one merchant receives, by a transaction system, an authorization request including customer data and transaction specific data from the merchant, wherein, prior to the authorization request, the customer is unknown to the transaction system; authenticates the customer by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; authorizes the transaction by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; and communicates the authorization response to the merchant during the transaction. An apparatus for implementing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing a variable credit account to a consumer (12) is provided. The method includes the steps of: offering, by a credit issuer (14), a variable credit account to a consumer (12) by telephone, electronically, mail or at an in-store location; accepting, by the consumer (12), the offer; opening, by the credit issuer, the variable credit account (18) for the consumer (12), where the account includes an open-ended loan portion (22) and a close-ended loan portion (20). The method may further include the steps of initially activating the open-ended loan portion (22) when the initial offer is made electronically, by mail or at an in-store location; and initially activating a close-ended loan portion (20) of the account when the initial offer is made at any point-of-sale. A system and apparatus for providing a variable credit account to a consumer (12) is also discussed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for completing a transaction between a customer and at least one merchant receives, by a transaction system, an authorization request including customer data and transaction specific data from the merchant, wherein, prior to the authorization request, the customer is unknown to the transaction system; authenticates the customer by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; authorizes the transaction by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; and communicates the authorization response to the merchant during the transaction. An apparatus for implementing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for completing a transaction between a customer (10) and at least one merchant (20), including the steps of: (a) initiating a transaction by the customer (10) with a merchant (20); (b) communicating an authorization request, including customer data and transaction specific data, by the merchant (20) to a transaction system (26); (c) authenticating the customer (10) by the transaction system (26); (d) authorizing the transaction by the transaction system (26); (e) communicating the authorization response by the transaction system (26) to the merchant (20); and (f) completing the transaction between the merchant (20) and the customer (10). An apparatus for implementing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing a variable credit account to a consumer (12) is provided. The method includes the steps of: offering, by a credit issuer (14), a variable credit account to a consumer (12) by telephone, electronically, mail or at an in-store location; accepting, by the consumer (12), the offer; opening, by the credit issuer, the variable credit account (18) for the consumer (12), where the account includes an open-ended loan portion (22) and a close-ended loan portion (20). The method may further include the steps of initially activating the open-ended loan portion (22) when the initial offer is made electronically, by mail or at an in-store location; and initially activating a close-ended loan portion (20) of the account when the initial offer is made at any point-of-sale. A system and apparatus for providing a variable credit account to a consumer (12) is also discussed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method (100) for the dynamic verification of a consumer engaged in a transaction with a merchant (12) and authorization of the transaction. The method (100) comprises the steps of: providing a consumer transaction data set (16) including a plurality of data fields to a central credit issuer database (14); determining a processing queue (22) based upon the data contained in at least one of the data fields in the consumer transaction data set (16), the processing queue (22) including a plurality of prioritized target transactions (24); comparing at least one data field from the consumer transaction data set (16) directed to the consumer engaged in the prioritized target transaction (24) with at least one data field in at least one of the central credit issuer database (14) and a third party database (26); and determining a consumer/transaction identifier (36) based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for completing a transaction between a customer (10) and at least one merchant (20), including the steps of: (a) initiating a transaction by the customer (10) with a merchant (20); (b) communicating an authorization request, including customer data and transaction specific data, by the merchant (20) to a transaction system (26); (c) authenticating the customer (10) by the transaction system (26); (d) authorizing the transaction by the transaction system (26); (e) communicating the authorization response by the transaction system (26) to the merchant (20); and (f) completing the transaction between the merchant (20) and the customer (10). An apparatus for implementing the method is disclosed.