Abstract: A method of using a kiosk to dispense funds, a portion of which has a value less than the value of the lowest form of currency the kiosk dispenses. The method may include receiving information at the kiosk identifying a source for the funds and transmitting a request to a host computer to verify the source for the funds. The method may include receiving at the kiosk a verification of the funds and displaying on a display screen an amount of funds available for payment. The method may include receiving at the kiosk a request from a user to remit a first portion of the amount of funds in a first form, wherein the first form is selected from a group consisting of paper currency, money order, credit to an account, and credit to a stored value card.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a funds transfer. The method may include determining which of a plurality of different funds-transfer companies is able to complete the funds transfer in accordance with defined parameters. The method may also include determining a default service fee charged for the funds transfer by a funds-transfer company of a subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies. The method may additionally include transmitting to at least one funds-transfer company of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies details of the funds transfer, where the details of the funds-transfer comprises the default service fee. The method may furthermore include transmitting an identification of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies, each of which is capable of completing the funds transfer in accordance with the defined parameters, the subset including at least two of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for notifying a wireless communication device user regarding an account payment. One method comprises dialing a phone number of a wireless communication device, preferably a cell phone. A communication relating to an account payment that includes a balance due is then transmitted or delivered to a wireless communication device user. Optionally, at the same time or a later time, input from the wireless communication device user may be received regarding payment of the balance due. Such notification methods may be carried out by a host computer system which has a record of when the account payment is due and dials and transmits within a predetermined time frame. Generally, such methods will further comprise pre-registering or enrolling the wireless communication device user.

Abstract: A method of using a kiosk to dispense funds, a portion of which has a value less than the value of the lowest form of currency the kiosk dispenses. The method may include receiving information at the kiosk identifying a source for the funds and transmitting a request to a host computer to verify the source for the funds. The method may include receiving at the kiosk a verification of the funds and displaying on a display screen an amount of funds available for payment. The method may include receiving at the kiosk a request from a user to remit a first portion of the amount of funds in a first form, wherein the first form is selected from a group consisting of paper currency, money order, credit to an account, and credit to a stored value card.

Abstract: A method of using a kiosk to dispense funds, a portion of which has a value less than the value of the lowest form of currency the kiosk dispenses. The method may include receiving information at the kiosk identifying a source for the funds and transmitting a request to a host computer to verify the source for the funds. The method may include receiving at the kiosk a verification of the funds and displaying on a display screen an amount of funds available for payment. The method may include receiving at the kiosk a request from a user to remit a first portion of the amount of funds in a first form, wherein the first form is selected from a group consisting of paper currency, money order, credit to an account, and credit to a stored value card.

Abstract: A method of providing network access includes entering network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location. The information relates to a request from a customer to obtain network access. The method also includes causing the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device, receiving a payment from the customer, receiving activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device, and providing a presentation instrument to the customer. The presentation instrument may be used by the customer to obtain network access. The method further includes using the presentation instrument to settle a transaction with the customer for merchandise.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a funds transfer. The method may include determining which of a plurality of different funds-transfer companies is able to complete the funds transfer in accordance with defined parameters. The method may also include determining a default service fee charged for the funds transfer by a funds-transfer company of a subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies. The method may additionally include transmitting to at least one funds-transfer company of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies details of the funds transfer, where the details of the funds-transfer comprises the default service fee. The method may furthermore include transmitting an identification of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies, each of which is capable of completing the funds transfer in accordance with the defined parameters, the subset including at least two of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a funds transfer. The method may include determining which of a plurality of different funds-transfer companies is able to complete the funds transfer in accordance with defined parameters. The method may also include determining a default service fee charged for the funds transfer by a funds-transfer company of a subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies. The method may additionally include transmitting to at least one funds-transfer company of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies details of the funds transfer, where the details of the funds-transfer comprises the default service fee. The method may furthermore include transmitting an identification of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies, each of which is capable of completing the funds transfer in accordance with the defined parameters, the subset including at least two of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies.

Abstract: A method of providing network access includes entering network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location. The information relates to a request from a customer to obtain network access. The method also includes causing the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device, receiving a payment from the customer, receiving activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device, and providing a presentation instrument to the customer. The presentation instrument may be used by the customer to obtain network access. The method further includes using the presentation instrument to settle a transaction with the customer for merchandise.

Abstract: A method of providing network access includes entering network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location. The information relates to a request from a customer to obtain network access. The method also includes causing the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device, receiving a payment from the customer, receiving activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device, and providing a presentation instrument to the customer. The presentation instrument may be used by the customer to obtain network access. The method further includes using the presentation instrument to settle a transaction with the customer for merchandise.

Abstract: A method of providing network access includes entering network access information into a merchant device at a merchant location. The information relates to a request from a customer to obtain network access. The method also includes causing the information to be transmitted to a host computer system from the merchant device, receiving a payment from the customer, receiving activation confirmation from the host computer system at the merchant device, and providing a presentation instrument to the customer. The presentation instrument may be used by the customer to obtain network access. The method further includes using the presentation instrument to settle a transaction with the customer for merchandise.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for automatically processing an incoming payment for a payee with an online money transfer system. In one step, information is received at the online money transfer system. That information relates to processing of one or more received payments associated with the payee. At some point, the incoming payment associated with the payee is received. A default repository for the incoming payment is determined. It is determined whether to transfer at least some of the incoming payment away from the default repository or escrow at least a portion of the incoming payment for benefit of at least one predetermined party. Either the earmark or the escrow is applied after this determination.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for automatically transferring an incoming payment to a handler is disclosed. In one step, the incoming payment associated with a payee is received. A first predetermined rule that applies to the incoming payment is determined. The first predetermined rule is applied to the incoming payment. It is determined if a second predetermined rule applies to the incoming payment. The second predetermined rule is applied to the incoming payment based upon the second-listed determining step.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a funds transfer. The method may include determining which of a plurality of different funds-transfer companies is able to complete the funds transfer in accordance with defined parameters. The method may also include determining a default service fee charged for the funds transfer by a funds-transfer company of a subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies. The method may additionally include transmitting to at least one funds-transfer company of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies details of the funds transfer, where the details of the funds-transfer comprises the default service fee. The method may furthermore include transmitting an identification of the subset of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies, each of which is capable of completing the funds transfer in accordance with the defined parameters, the subset including at least two of the plurality of different funds-transfer companies.

Abstract: A method for converting coined money to another type of value proceeds by receiving a plurality of coins into a coin processing machine. The coins are processed with the coin processing machine to determine a value of the coins. An electronic record of the determined value is produced using the coin processing machine. Further, the record of the determined value is electronically transmitted from the coin processing machine to a remote storage location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a funds transfer. A request to transfer funds to a recipient is received at a host system, as well as an identification of a selected funds-transfer company chosen from a group of funds-transfer companies and a request to provide the funds to the recipient. Information related to the request is transmitted from the host system to a payout system. The request to transfer funds may include an identification of a retrieval location, with a list of funds-transfer companies that offer funds-transfer services to the retrieval location further being transmitted from the host system to a funds-transfer initiating system.

Abstract: A system for screening money transfers. According to one embodiment of the invention an operator is provided with at least one prompt to request further information about an attempted money transfer. The operator can be prompted with a series of questions to facilitate a regimented screening process of suspicious transfers.