Abstract: Disclosed is a consumer processing system for identifying and recognizing a consumer engaged in a transaction with a merchant. The system includes a consumer processing system interface for receiving, from a merchant, a consumer/transaction data set with a plurality of fields. A consumer/transaction database is populated with data sets, and each data set is related to a specific consumer and also includes multiple data fields therein. The consumer/transaction data set is established as part of an initial data set in the consumer/transaction database, and thereafter, during subsequent transactions, compared to an existing data field in an existing data set in the consumer/transaction database. Based upon the establishment or comparison, a consumer activity data set is communicated from the consumer processing system interface to the merchant. A method of identifying and recognizing a consumer engaged in a transaction with a merchant is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a consumer processing system for identifying and recognizing a consumer engaged in a transaction with a merchant. The system includes a consumer processing system interface for receiving, from a merchant, a consumer/transaction data set with a plurality of fields. A consumer/transaction database is populated with data sets, and each data set is related to a specific consumer and also includes multiple data fields therein. The consumer/transaction data set is established as part of an initial data set in the consumer/transaction database, and thereafter, during subsequent transactions, compared to an existing data field in an existing data set in the consumer/transaction database. Based upon the establishment or comparison, a consumer activity data set is communicated from the consumer processing system interface to the merchant. A method of identifying and recognizing a consumer engaged in a transaction with a merchant is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method (100) for the dynamic verification of a consumer engaged in a transaction with a merchant (12) and authorization of the transaction. The method (100) comprises the steps of: providing a consumer transaction data set (16) including a plurality of data fields to a central credit issuer database (14); determining a processing queue (22) based upon the data contained in at least one of the data fields in the consumer transaction data set (16), the processing queue (22) including a plurality of prioritized target transactions (24); comparing at least one data field from the consumer transaction data set (16) directed to the consumer engaged in the prioritized target transaction (24) with at least one data field in at least one of the central credit issuer database (14) and a third party database (26); and determining a consumer/transaction identifier (36) based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method (100) for the dynamic verification of a consumer engaged in a transaction with a merchant (12) and authorization of the transaction. The method (100) comprises the steps of: providing a consumer transaction data set (16) including a plurality of data fields to a central credit issuer database (14); determining a processing queue (22) based upon the data contained in at least one of the data fields in the consumer transaction data set (16), the processing queue (22) including a plurality of prioritized target transactions (24); comparing at least one data field from the consumer transaction data set (16) directed to the consumer engaged in the prioritized target transaction (24) with at least one data field in at least one of the central credit issuer database (14) and a third party database (26); and determining a consumer/transaction identifier (36) based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for engaging in a transaction between a consumer and a merchant. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method and system for providing instant credit by a credit issuer to the consumer at a point-of-sale of the merchant. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method and system for identifying at least one optimal credit product from a plurality of credit products of at least one credit issuer to a consumer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for engaging in a transaction between a consumer and a merchant. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method and system for providing instant credit by a credit issuer to the consumer at a point-of-sale of the merchant. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method and system for identifying at least one optimal credit product from a plurality of credit products of at least one credit issuer to a consumer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for completing a transaction between a customer and at least one merchant receives, by a transaction system, an authorization request including customer data and transaction specific data from the merchant, wherein, prior to the authorization request, the customer is unknown to the transaction system; authenticates the customer by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; authorizes the transaction by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; and communicates the authorization response to the merchant during the transaction. An apparatus for implementing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing a variable credit account to a consumer (12) is provided. The method includes the steps of: offering, by a credit issuer (14), a variable credit account to a consumer (12) by telephone, electronically, mail or at an in-store location; accepting, by the consumer (12), the offer; opening, by the credit issuer, the variable credit account (18) for the consumer (12), where the account includes an open-ended loan portion (22) and a close-ended loan portion (20). The method may further include the steps of initially activating the open-ended loan portion (22) when the initial offer is made electronically, by mail or at an in-store location; and initially activating a close-ended loan portion (20) of the account when the initial offer is made at any point-of-sale. A system and apparatus for providing a variable credit account to a consumer (12) is also discussed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for completing a transaction between a customer and at least one merchant receives, by a transaction system, an authorization request including customer data and transaction specific data from the merchant, wherein, prior to the authorization request, the customer is unknown to the transaction system; authenticates the customer by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; authorizes the transaction by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; and communicates the authorization response to the merchant during the transaction. An apparatus for implementing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for completing a transaction between a customer (10) and at least one merchant (20), including the steps of: (a) initiating a transaction by the customer (10) with a merchant (20); (b) communicating an authorization request, including customer data and transaction specific data, by the merchant (20) to a transaction system (26); (c) authenticating the customer (10) by the transaction system (26); (d) authorizing the transaction by the transaction system (26); (e) communicating the authorization response by the transaction system (26) to the merchant (20); and (f) completing the transaction between the merchant (20) and the customer (10). An apparatus for implementing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided to facilitate on-line transactions through the issuance of incentives based on a current transaction between a merchant and consumer. A payment provider determines a suitable incentive for the consumer during the transaction and may also use data about the consumer from previous transactions. The incentive is provided, such as on the merchant website, so that the consumer can use it during the transaction for a highly likelihood of increasing the purchase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a risk management system for providing risk data to an entity engaged in a transaction with a consumer. The system includes an authorization denial system having an authorization denial system interface for receiving a transaction data set having a plurality of data fields from the entity; and a denial rule set with multiple rules for outputting risk data directed to the transaction based upon the result of applying the rules to the data fields in the transaction data set. The authorization denial system interface transmits the resulting risk data to the entity. A method of authorizing a transaction between a consumer and an entity is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for engaging in a transaction between a consumer and a merchant. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method and system for providing instant credit by a credit issuer to the consumer at a point-of-sale of the merchant. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method and system for identifying at least one optimal credit product from a plurality of credit products of at least one credit issuer to a consumer.

Abstract: A method for determining transactional data between a consumer and a merchant engaged in a purchase transaction. This method includes the steps of: initiating or consummating a purchase transaction, such as an online credit transaction, between at least one consumer and at least one merchant; generating a transaction data set including a plurality of data fields populated with consumer data, merchant data, transaction data, purchase data or any combination thereof; processing the plurality of data fields of the transaction data; and presenting a purchase data set including at least one data field therein.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for completing a transaction between a customer (10) and at least one merchant (20), including the steps of: (a) initiating a transaction by the customer (10) with a merchant (20); (b) communicating an authorization request, including customer data and transaction specific data, by the merchant (20) to a transaction system (26); (c) authenticating the customer (10) by the transaction system (26); (d) authorizing the transaction by the transaction system (26); (e) communicating the authorization response by the transaction system (26) to the merchant (20); and (f) completing the transaction between the merchant (20) and the customer (10). An apparatus for implementing the method is disclosed.