Abstract: A method for replenishing a pre-paid telecommunications account utilizes the short message service (SMS). When an account balance is low, a pre-paid service control point (PP-SCP) sends a message to a pre-paid payment server which composes an SMS message and sends it to a short message service center (SMSC). The SMSC forwards the message to a mobile switching center (MSC) which passes the message to the subscriber's mobile unit. A confirmation message is automatically sent in a similar manner back to the pre-paid payment server. To replenish the account, the subscriber composes an SMS message using the mobile unit and sends the message to an MSC which forwards it to the pre-paid payment server via an SMSC. The pre-paid payment server validates the request via a billing and finance system, then sends a message to the PP-SCP for account update.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the invention utilize a wireless device such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) with wireless massaging capabilities, two-way pager, etc. to notify the account holder of a pending credit/debit account transaction and to obtain approval from the account holder. In order to provide nearly universal interoperability with existing vendors, the invention employs an “authorizing entity”. The authorizing entity may be provided by the credit/debit card issuer or may be provided by a third party in communication with the card issuer. In the broadest sense, the methods of the invention include the steps of sending a message (including the vendor ID and payment amount) from the wireless device to the authorizing entity and sending a payment confirmation message from the authorizing entity to the vendor. Methods of enhancing the customer's privacy are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for replenishing a pre-paid telecommunications account utilizes the short message service (SMS). When an account balance is low, a pre-paid service control point (PP-SCP) sends a message to a pre-paid payment server which composes an SMS message and sends it to a short message service center (SMSC). The SMSC forwards the message to a mobile switching center (MSC) which passes the message to the subscriber's mobile unit. A confirmation message is automatically sent in a similar manner back to the pre-paid payment server. To replenish the account, the subscriber composes an SMS message using the mobile unit and sends the message to an MSC which forwards it to the pre-paid payment server via an SMSC. The pre-paid payment server validates the request via a billing and finance system, then sends a message to the PP-SCP for account update.