Abstract: A method is described to verify the identity of a user. The method, in one example embodiment, comprises obtaining automatic number identification (ANI) data or billing telephone number (BTN) data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunications network; obtaining identification data associated with a subscriber, said identification data being different from the ANI data or the BTN data; searching a first database using the ANI data or the BTN data to determine first reference subscriber data; searching a second database using the identification data to determine second reference subscriber data; comparing the first reference subscriber data to the second reference subscriber data; and verifying an identity of the subscriber based on the comparing.

Abstract: A method is described of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network using a validation system. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The method includes identifying a local exchange carrier (LEC) associated with the subscriber line to determine if a billing arrangement exists between the validation system and the LEC. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing the internet on a per-time basis, through an Internet service provider (ISP), includes an access station. Application software is provided to an electronic terminal, from which Internet access may be attempted. Upon initiation of the application, the access station is dialed, and a number of processing steps serve as a precondition to permitting the electronic terminal to access the Internet through the Internet service provider. In particular, upon an initial attempt to access the Internet, the access station sets up an account in which the telephone number from which access is attempted is utilized for subsequent billing purposes. The access station further determines whether the telephone number from which access is desired is within an acceptable network, is associated with an undesirable credit risk, and is a valid telephone number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to facilitate predictive presentment of the payment options. In transactions between a purchaser and a vendor, the vendor may obtain personal information from the purchaser at an early stage of the sale. The personal information may be used to identify a list of approved payment options. The approved payment options can be predictively or dynamically presented to the purchaser based on the business rules that account for various factors including, but not limited to: purchaser payment psychology, available payment methods, credit score by payment method type, credit score across payment method types, vendor payment option preference, and type of purchase event.

Abstract: A method and system is provided to process a billing failure in a network-based commerce facility. The method may include receiving a billing failure indicator from a billing facility, the billing failure indicator being associated with a transaction processing method utilized by a user or customer when conducting a user transaction. The method may then automatically, without human intervention, identify at least one alternative transaction processing method that is valid for the user. The at least one alternative transaction processing method is then communicated to an associated billing facility for billing. In one embodiment, the method includes retrieving the at least one alternative transaction processing method from a database of predetermined transaction processing methods associated with the user.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing the Internet on a per-time basis, through an Internet service provider (ISP), includes an access station. Application software is provided to an electronic terminal, from which Internet access may be attempted. Upon initiation of the application, the access station is dialed, and a number of processing steps serve as a precondition to permitting the electronic terminal to access the Internet through the Internet service provider. In particular, upon an initial attempt to access the Internet, the access station sets up an account in which the telephone number from which access is attempted is utilized for subsequent billing purposes. The access station further determines whether the telephone number from which access is desired is-within an acceptable network, is associated with an undesirable credit risk, and is a valid telephone number.