Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purchasing a product by a consumer using a computing device. The method includes transmitting product information from a payee to the computing device, obtaining a purchase request for the product from the computing device, wherein the purchase request comprises a security identifier input by the consumer, inferring a consumer identity based on the purchase request and consumer information, authorizing the consumer to access the consumer information based on the purchase request and the consumer identity, wherein the consumer information is used to purchase the product, and generating a purchase authorization for the product and sending the purchase authorization to the payee based on the purchase request and the consumer information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing transaction risk. A consumer tenders a transaction card to a merchant to purchase a good or service. A payment device of the merchant, such as a merchant's payment terminal or mobile communication device, is used to process the payment utilizing a risk assessment system. Card data received by the payment device is sent to the risk assessment system, which processes card data and generates an indicator representing the risk associated with accepting payment using the card. The indicator is sent to the payment device to provide the merchant input regarding risk associated with using the card (e.g., likelihood of fraud or chargeback) in a seamless manner. If the risk level is too high, the merchant may reject the card. The risk indicator may be based on different types of data from different sources, e.g., data from a first source related to the credit history of the consumer and data from a second source related to the identity of the consumer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing transaction risk. A consumer tenders a transaction card to a merchant to purchase a good or service. A payment device of the merchant, such as a merchant's payment terminal or mobile communication device, is used to process the payment utilizing a risk assessment system. Card data received by the payment device is sent to the risk assessment system, which processes card data and generates an indicator representing the risk associated with accepting payment using the card. The indicator is sent to the payment device to provide the merchant input regarding risk associated with using the card (e.g., likelihood of fraud or chargeback) in a seamless manner. If the risk level is too high, the merchant may reject the card. The risk indicator may be based on different types of data from different sources, e.g., data from a first source related to the credit history of the consumer and data from a second source related to the identity of the consumer.

Abstract: A method for performing a financial transaction that includes identifying a plurality of payment options associated with a payer executing the financial transaction, wherein each of the plurality of payment options is linked to a financial account of the payer, obtaining cost data and benefit data for each of the plurality of payment options, wherein the cost data includes a cost of using the payment option for the financial transaction and the benefit data includes a benefit of using the payment option for the financial transaction, selecting a preferred payment option from the plurality of payment options for the financial transaction based on the cost data and the benefit data, and processing the financial transaction using the preferred payment option to obtain a transaction confirmation.

Abstract: A consumer tenders a transaction card to a merchant to purchase a good or service. A merchant payment device, such as a payment terminal or mobile communication device, processes the payment utilizing a risk assessment system. Card data received by the payment device is sent to the risk assessment system, which processes card data and generates an indicator representing risk associated with accepting payment using the card. The indicator is sent to the payment device to provide the merchant input regarding risk associated with using the card (e.g., likelihood of fraud or chargeback) in a seamless manner. If the risk level is too high, the merchant may reject the card. The risk indicator may be based on different types of data from different sources, e.g., data from a first source related to the consumer's credit history and data from a second source related to the consumer's identity.

Abstract: A system that communicates information is described. During operation, this system receives an encryption key through a first wireless communication technique, wherein the first wireless communication technique includes near field communication. Then, the system communicates a document through a second wireless communication technique, where the document is associated with a financial transaction being conducted with a commercial establishment. Next, the system receives encrypted information through the second wireless communication technique, where the encrypted information is, at least in part, encrypted using the encryption key, and where the second wireless communication technique includes a technique other than near field communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing transaction risk. A consumer tenders a transaction card to a merchant to purchase a good or service. A payment device of the merchant, such as a payment terminal or mobile communication device of the merchant, is used to process the payment utilizing a risk assessment system. Card data received by the payment device is sent to the risk assessment system, which processes card data and generates an indicator representing the risk associated with accepting payment using the card. The indicator is sent to the payment device to provide the merchant input regarding risk associated with using the card (e.g., likelihood of fraud or chargeback) in a seamless manner. If the risk level is too high, the merchant may reject the card. The risk indicator may be based on different types of data from different sources, e.g., data from a first source related to the credit history of the consumer and data from a second source related to the identity of the consumer.

Abstract: A method for performing a financial transaction that includes identifying a plurality of payment options associated with a payer executing the financial transaction, wherein each of the plurality of payment options is linked to a financial account of the payer, obtaining cost data and benefit data for each of the plurality of payment options, wherein the cost data includes a cost of using the payment option for the financial transaction and the benefit data includes a benefit of using the payment option for the financial transaction, selecting a preferred payment option from the plurality of payment options for the financial transaction based on the cost data and the benefit data, and processing the financial transaction using the preferred payment option to obtain a transaction confirmation.

Abstract: A system that communicates information is described. During operation, this system receives an encryption key through a first wireless communication technique, wherein the first wireless communication technique includes near field communication. Then, the system communicates a document through a second wireless communication technique, where the document is associated with a financial transaction being conducted with a commercial establishment. Next, the system receives encrypted information through the second wireless communication technique, where the encrypted information is, at least in part, encrypted using the encryption key, and where the second wireless communication technique includes a technique other than near field communication.