Abstract: A improved method of managing feature sets associated with credit card account numbers includes (1) storing in a first database a plurality of credit card account numbers, wherein each credit card account number comprises a bank identification number (BIN), a sub-BIN, an account number and a verification or validation value, (2) storing in a second database a list of tracking numbers, wherein each tracking number represents a group of credit card account features, and wherein each feature is assigned a unique identification number, and (3) associating individual ones of the tracking numbers to individual ones of the credit card account numbers such that such individual credit card account numbers are each associated with a predetermined feature set.

Abstract: Enabling and disabling login access to a web-based application by examining automatic number identification (ANI) information from a received telephone call, associating the ANI information with a user account, determining a current state of login access to a web-based application for the user account, the state of login access being one of enabled and disabled, and notifying the web-based application to change the state of login access to the other of enabled and disabled depending on the then-current state of login access. The methodology may further include examining dialed number identification service (DNIS) information of the received call to determine which of the enabling or disabling actions to take, and/or to determine which of a plurality of accounts is to be effected by the desired change in state of login access.

Abstract: A method of transmitting value via a telephone system, includes receiving a request from a Grantor to designate a predetermined number of minutes that are to be reserved to fund a telephone call between a telephone number associated with a Beneficiary and a telephone number belonging to the Grantor, receiving a request to establish the telephone call between the telephone number associated with the Beneficiary and the telephone number belonging to the Grantor, establishing the telephone call between the telephone number associated with the Beneficiary and the telephone number belonging to the Grantor, and deducting from the predetermined number of minutes a number of minutes corresponding to a length of time of the call between the telephone number associated with the Beneficiary and the telephone number belonging to the Grantor.

Abstract: Enabling and disabling login access to a web-based application by examining automatic number identification (ANI) information from a received telephone call, associating the ANI information with a user account, determining a current state of login access to a web-based application for the user account, the state of login access being one of enabled and disabled, and notifying the web-based application to change the state of login access to the other of enabled and disabled depending on the then-current state of login access. The methodology may further include examining dialed number identification service (DNIS) information of the received call to determine which of the enabling or disabling actions to take, and/or to determine which of a plurality of accounts is to be effected by the desired change in state of login access.

Abstract: Enabling and disabling login access to a web-based application by examining automatic number identification (ANI) information from a received telephone call, associating the ANI information with a user account, determining a current state of login access to a web-based application for the user account, the state of login access being one of enabled and disabled, and notifying the web-based application to change the state of login access to the other of enabled and disabled depending on the then-current state of login access. The methodology may further include examining dialed number identification service (DNIS) information of the received call to determine which of the enabling or disabling actions to take, and/or to determine which of a plurality of accounts is to be effected by the desired change in state of login access.

Abstract: A method for enabling consumers in a gaming context to push funds from a traditional open loop account to a closed loop account, and back. At the request of a consumer, funds are transferred to an open loop account of an intermediary payment system that holds or keeps track of virtual closed loop accounts for each consumer and virtual closed loop accounts for individual games, casinos or gaming establishments. The consumer may use an associated closed loop card to place a bet at the gaming establishment that will cause funds to be transferred from the consumer's virtual closed loop account to the gaming establishment's closed loop account. Thereafter, the funds are transferred from the intermediary payment system to an open loop account belonging to the gaming establishment.

Abstract: A method for enabling consumers to push funds from a traditional open loop account to a closed loop account, and back. At the request of a consumer, funds are transferred to an open loop account of an intermediary payment system that holds or keeps track of virtual closed loop accounts for each consumer and virtual closed loop accounts for individual merchants or service providers. The consumer may use an associated closed loop card to make a purchase at the merchant or service provider that will cause funds to be transferred from the consumer's virtual closed loop account to the merchant or service provider's closed loop account. Thereafter, the funds are transferred from the intermediary payment system to an open loop account belonging to the merchant or service provider.

Abstract: A method for enabling consumers in a gaming context to push funds from a traditional open loop account to a closed loop account, and back. At the request of a consumer, funds are transferred to an open loop account of an intermediary payment system that holds or keeps track of virtual closed loop accounts for each consumer and virtual closed loop accounts for individual games, casinos or gaming establishments. The consumer may use an associated closed loop card to place a bet at the gaming establishment that will cause funds to be transferred from the consumer's virtual closed loop account to the gaming establishment's closed loop account. Thereafter, the funds are transferred from the intermediary payment system to an open loop account belonging to the gaming establishment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely causing a request for authorization to charge a card, that is otherwise active, to be denied. In one embodiment, an access controller receives a call from a card holder and analyzes ANI and DNIS data received during call setup for the call to select a card account and an action (e.g., turn account OFF) to be taken with respect to the card account. The access controller formulates and sends a message to an account authorization processing system to cause the account authorization processing system to thereafter deny requests for authorization to charge the card account. A subsequent call to the access controller from the same caller (i.e., a same ANI) will reverse account closure and allow card authorization to proceed. Feedback, in the form of an Instant Message (IM), email, or audible signal (busy, ringing) when making the call, may be provided to indicate the success of a change to the state of the account.