System and Method for Debt Presentment and Resolution
A system and method for debt presentment and resolution through an Intranet or Internet content provider is disclosed. Said system and method include a plurality of “transaction communities” which are electronic forums allowing interaction between a plurality of debtors and creditors through means of electronic mail (e-mail) or other electronic communication means. The Internet/Intranet based software application allows said debtors to access and input information related to a particular debt with any Internet browser software. Said debtors are provided with the URL (Universal Resource Locator) for said content provider along with a unique identification code from the collection agency(s) through mail correspondence or other communication means. Upon said user entering said URL and entering said identification code, said user may then proceed to choose from a variety of settlement options listed on the HTML (HyperText Markup Language) page.
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The present invention relates broadly to a system and method whereby a person owing a debt or bill is invited to resolve this indebtedness via the Internet. More specifically, the user is invited (by traditional media such as phone or mail) to visit a “transaction community” wherein the debt may be resolved through an interactive exchange of information.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an Internet-based financial service that, unlike current systems, may be accessed by anyone with a personal computer having an Internet connection. This disclosed system exceeds current standards for online banking (Open Financial Exchange) and is set to meet or exceed anticipated revisions. In a typical debt resolution application of the disclosed system, the credit or collection company customer (the debtor) can participate in web-based financial transactions without previously establishing a personal online banking system. Initially, the credit or collection organization invites the debtor to utilize applicant's web-based customer service software by offering Internet payment as an option to traditional payment methods such as mail or telephonic credit card transactions. For example, the mailed copy of a “past due” notice invites the debtor to visit the creditor's web-based “transaction community”—an interactive alternative location for debt resolution.
The WorldWide Web, or Internet, is actually a complex “web” of smaller regional networks. It is comparable in many ways to our roadways. A network of interstate superhighways connect large cities. These highways flow into smaller freeways and parkways linking smaller towns to the big cities. The parkways ultimately connect to slower, narrower residential streets. See EFF's Extended Guide to the Internet, incorporated herein by reference.
In the world of computers, the “superhighway” is the high-speed Internet. Connected to the Internet are computers that use a particular system of transferring data at high speeds. In the United States, the major Internet “backbone” theoretically can move data at rates of 45 million bits per second. By way of comparison, the average home modem has a top speed of roughly 14,400 to 56,000 bits per second. This inter-Internetworking “protocol” allows a network user to connect and link up with computers around the world.
Smaller networks serving particular geographic regions are connected to the backbone computers, which generally move data at speeds around 1.5 million bits per second. These networks are hooked to even smaller networks and individual computers. Unlike commercial networks, a central computer does not run the Internet. This is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. This approach means it is virtually impossible for the entire Internet to crash at once—even if one computer shuts down, the rest of the network stays up. This design also reduces the costs associated with an individual or organization accessing the Internet through a network. However, thousands of connected computers can also make it difficult to navigate the Internet and find what you want—especially as different computers may have different commands for “plumbing” or accessing their resources. Only recently have Internet users begun to develop the navigational tools and “maps” that allow neophytes and relatively inexperienced users get around and navigate the Internet without getting lost.
The number of users, computers, and networks making up this Internet is not known with any degree of certainty. Some estimates place as many as 5,000 networks, connecting nearly 2 million computers and more than 15 million people around the world as the Internet. Whatever the actual numbers, they are increasing rapidly.
The Internet is more than just a technological marvel. It is a revolutionary means of communication. The rate at which information and documents are exchanged is obviously quite a bit faster than mail, as messages race around the globe in seconds, provided you have the right connection. Network providers are therefore continually working on ways to facilitate communication between users of one network with those of another. At present, work is underway on a universal “white pages” in which you could look up somebody's electronic-mail address. This “connectivity” will become even more important in coming years as users begin to demand “seamless” network access, much as a telephone user can dial almost anywhere in the world without thinking about the number of phone companies actually involved with the call. As it becomes easier to use, more and more people will undoubtedly join this worldwide community known as the Internet.
While the present invention will have broad application to the full range of online financial transactions, particular applicability is seen in the area of credit and collection practices. The credit and collection arenas are segmented into distinct market niches. The first niche comprises, for instance, collection organizations. The collection industry is further defined by type of debts collected (consumer vs. commercial) and then by the placement of various debts by and within the various industries.
Credit transactions (e.g., loans, credit cards, etc.) provide an additional immediate niche for the invention as disclosed. The “transaction community” of the present invention allows for customization to address the various transaction niches required within the various credit and collection communities. In other words, the invention may be adapted to handle almost any credit or collection transaction.
The debt collection industry is consolidating. The May 1996 issue of Collection & Credit Risk Magazines Annual Report notes that: “[a]lready the number of collection agencies has fallen by some 20% in the past two decades.” Additionally, mergers-and-acquisitions specialist M. Kaulkin and Associates, of Bethesda, Md., reports that industry insiders expect another 15% to 20% decrease and further consolidation: “[t]he signs of an ongoing consolidation in the collections industry are unmistakable. In fact, as measured by placements, the 10 largest agencies in the country have increased their market share from about 15% in 1992 to 42.1% last year.”
Over the years, debt collection has evolved as a function of available technology and its utilization. There was a time when a collection agent would personally visit the debtor for debt resolution. Mail allowed the creditor and debtor to communicate through a series of “dunning” letters to prompt debt resolution. With the advent of the telephone, the creditor and debtor were able to facilitate debt resolution. Of course, while far less costly than personal visits, mail and phone collections are expensive operations, lowering the profitability of the debt collection process.
Computers have long been used in debt collections, initially with respect to the maintenance of debtor records through database consolidation and utilization. More recently, advances include computer telephony and predictive dialers, which have increased efficiency and lowered time, energy, and cost expended in debt collection via the telephone. The present invention is a leap forward in the use of technology in the debt collection industry. In applicant's system, the creditor invites and encourages the debtor to communicate and resolve debts on the personal computer over the Internet. It should be noted that all previous technological advances in this field have been used to increase creditor yield while reducing expenses. Times have changed. Increased competition for consumer dollars has changed the creditor/debtor relationship into a customer service relationship. Creditors now compete to retain and attract customers by offering customer service. The present invention accelerates this trend by allowing credit or collection organizations to offer competitive customer service while also increasing yield and decreasing expenses by providing a method that gives customers the ability to resolve debt through a web-based “transaction community”.
Not surprisingly, there are a number of prior references that teach various methods of bill payment and management.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,501, issued to Lawlor, et al., discloses a system and method for the remote distribution of financial services (e.g., home banking and bill-paying) which includes providing a portable computer terminal to a user. The terminal may include a multi-line display, keys “pointer to” lines on the display, and additional function keys. The terminal establishes contact between a central computer that is operated by a service provider, preferably over an analog telephone line, and a packeted data network software bundle. Information is exchanged between the central computer and a terminal that solicits particular information from the user relating to requested financial services. For example, to pay a bill the payee approves the amount and provides his bank account PIN (persona(identification number). The central computer would then transmit a response message over a conventional electronic Automatic Teller Machine (“ATM”) network for debiting the user's bank account in real time, and then electronically remitting payment to the specified payees in the specified amounts. Additionally, payment(s) and/or transfer(s) may be further scheduled in advance or on a periodic basis. Because the central or main computer interacts with the user's bank as a standard point of sale (“POS”) or ATM network node, no significant software changes are required at the bank's computers. The terminal interface tries to be user-friendly in incorporating some of the features of standard ATMs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,113, issued to Kight, et al., discloses a computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider via telephone, computer, or other telecommunications means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write individual checks for each bill. The system essentially operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. Essentially, the service provider collects consumer information, financial institution information and merchant information and arranges payment according to the consumer's instructions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,206, issued to Hilt, et al., discloses a bill pay system wherein participating consumers may pay bills to participating creditors through a payment network. The participating consumers receive bills from participating creditors (paper bills, e-mail, implied bills from automatic debts) which indicate an amount and biller identification number. To authorize a remittance, a consumer transmits to a participating bank a payment notice that indicates a payment date, an amount, the debtor's account, the source from which the funds are to be remitted and the biller's identification number. A bank then submits a payment “message” to the subscribed payment network and forwards the payment message to the biller's bank. For settlement, the debtor's bank debits the consumer's account and likewise, the creditor's bank receives a Internet position from the payment network and credits the creditor's bank account. If the debtors's bank agrees to send a non-reversible payment message, then the debtor's bank does not submit the transaction until funds are good unless the consumer's bank is willing to take the risk of loss as would be in the case in a guaranteed payment network. In specific embodiments, the consumer initiates the bill pay orders manually, via paper at an ATM, via PC, or via telephone keypad.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,445, issued to Pickering, discloses an automated system and method for consolidating a plurality of individual company charges for a customer with different periodic company billing and payment due dates. Under the system, companies and businesses such as utility companies would report periodic billing information to a central processing facility. This transfer is completed by electronic or magnetic data transfer. The processing office undergoes minimal processing and “holds” the billing information data until all of the billing information is received. Then, the central facility generates a single customer statement which identifies individual company charges and the statement due date. The statement is then sent to the customer with payment for the charges by the due date. After receiving payment from the customer, the system processes the payment and remits payment to the companies.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,677, issued to Pollin, discloses a system and method of collecting payments using an automated system to generate a draft, payable to the creditor and drawn on the payor's checking account, pursuant to payor's authorization. The draft is executed by the debt collector as authorized signatory for the payor, and deposited into the payee's account. The automated system has a simple input screen that receives the necessary information for generation of the draft, which may be read to the system operator over the telephone by the authorizing payor. The system verifies the account information, comparing the input information to records in a database associated with the system. Optionally, the system may also generate an “inquiry” to the bank to determine the funds availability. When verification is complete, the system generates a paper draft payable to the payor, which may use an MICR ink so that the draft can be processed in the banking system like an ordinary check. The signature block would then be made for the collection agent “as authorized signatory for” the payor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,640, issued to Burke, discloses an automatic donation system for a sales establishment including an entry arrangement for entering the price of a product into a cash register, the amount of cash being paid and a calculator for determining excess cash payment(s). A card reader keypad receives a card(s) number for accessing data and then prints out the amounts entered.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,662, issued to McIntosh, discloses a method and system for extracting revenue information from a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for purposes of revenue sharing that includes the steps of periodically selecting and extracting predetermined portions of data from a proprietary database. This system allows for extrapolation of select data relating to revenue traffic in a rental system. Revenue stored in a proprietary database by a proprietary POS operating program is periodically selected, extracted and stored in a periodic database. The proprietary POS operating program can be used to create a history report database from the revenue transaction data and the portions of the revenue transaction data can be selected and extracted from the history report database.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,727, issued to Atkins, discloses a communication and computer based system for effecting exchange, investment and borrowing, involving the use of digital communication and computation terminals distributed to users and service providers. Through the system described and its combined computer and communication terminals, client/customers may purchase goods and services, save, invest, track bonuses and rebates and effect enhanced personal financial analysis, planning, management and record keeping with less effort and increased convenience. Through a prioritization function, the client specifies her financial objectives, her risk preference, and budgetary constraints. The prioritization function automatically suggests to the individual a portfolio of asset and liability accounts that may be credited and/or debited to provide the required funds for consumption and to form investments and borrowing to best realize the financial objectives. If desired, the system automatically manages a client's budgetary and financial affairs through a system of expert sweeps based on a client's preferences. The client's accounts are monitored via a borrowing power baseline, and considered imbalanced if the client's borrowing power is less than the minimum borrowing power. If the account is imbalanced, the client may then reallocate the assets and liabilities within the client account and/or modify a set of constraints on the client account. If the client account is still not balanced after modification of the account, the system will deny authorization for certain requested transactions, and may initiate the liquidation of certain asset accounts and reduce the balances of one or more liability accounts.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,117, issued to Landry, discloses a system and method for paying bills without requiring interaction with the payors. The system includes a payor control interface, a communications interface, a bill generator, and a TCF message generator. The bill generator generates bill records from the payor and payee information and from bill data messages received from payees. The generated records are used by the TCF message generator to generate the EFT messages for transferring funds electronically between payors and payees. Payors may alter the payment amount and date for a bill as well as reverse payment of a bill already paid. Payees are also able to alter recurring bill records or may present bill data so that bill records reflecting variable obligation amounts may be generated.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,786, issued to Rogers, discloses a method and apparatus for processing payment transactions using debit card numbers without the requirement of a personal identification number (PIN). A telepay system of the present invention provides an interface between a standard touch-tone telephone and at least one debit card network such that real-time bill payment transactions may be effected using a keypad of the telephone. The telepay system includes an interactive voice response unit for prompting a payor to enter an access code, account number, debit card number and payment amount and for informing the user of the status of the transaction. Real-time processing of transactions is provided through use of debit card networks, rather than the Automated Clearing House. The telepay system is also capable of performing settlement functions and processing inquiries by payees of the system regarding previously processed transactions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,008, issued to Futch, et al., discloses a system and method whereby a multiplicity of users may perform a variety of transactions, such as a product/service request, a bill payment request and long distance telephone service, through a system operator. The system includes a plurality of telephone instruments respectively having a telephone identifier and a wallet card swipe reader or the like for inputting a user identifier. A plurality of user actuators, such as individual buttons, are located on the telephone instrument to initiate a request for a particular transaction. A system processor in communication with the telephone instrument determines which type of transaction is being requested and determines whether the request is valid. Preferably, the validity check is completely performed at a computer having a validity table in its memory corresponding to the particular telephone instrument. The computer stores all transaction requests accrued over a period of time in its memory and forwards them to a central computer at a predetermined regular time. The central computer then correlates the transaction request with complete information in its database to carry out the transaction as requested.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,089, issued to Bucci, discloses that analysis has revealed that there is an undue proliferation of first-class mail being sent each month in the nature of bills, statements and similar such documents. Analysis has also revealed that this produces an unnecessary expense for postage and processing, besides the costs involved in purchasing the paper and envelopes to begin with. The method of the invention avoids this through the single mailing of one or more two-sided documents on which is presented all the bills, statements, etc., intended for a given recipient during a specified period of time, fir all subscribers to the service. In accordance with the described embodiment of the invention, the method forms a computer database of addressee information; merges with that database all such record information provided by subscribers; prints out one or more sheets, preferably on both sides, of all information intended for designated recipients during the time period in question; and allows for a single mailing of such sheets in a single envelope.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,965, issued to Pickering, discloses an automated method and system for consolidating a plurality of individual company charges for a customer with different periodic company billing and payment due dates. Under the system, companies and businesses such as utility companies report their periodic billing information to a central processing office or facility. The processing office holds the billing information data until all of the billing information for the customer during a pre-selected time period is received. Then, the central processing facility generates a single customer statement which identifies all individual company charges as well as a statement due date. The statement is sent to the customer and payment for the charges due. After receiving payment from the customer, the centralized billing center processes the payment and then remits payment to all of the companies.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,906, issued to Peters, et al., discloses an integrated computerized system and method of telecommunication user account management. The invention creates, maintains, processes and analyzes data regarding individual users for telecommunication services. Billing for individual users is generated. The user data is analyzed and reports for all or part of the user data are prepared and generated. Ancillary functions are enabled, including word processing, editing, e-mail, and other functions. The invention is applicable to subscriber telecommunication services, and pay-for-use services, and the user may be a subscriber or a non-subscriber. The invention is applicable to multi- or single-channel telecommunication services. Such telecommunication services may include cable television, telephone, video, audio, on-line databases, television, radio, music video, video juke box, pay-for-view, video-on-demand, interactive TV, home-shopping, video conferences, telephone conferences, interfacing to imaging systems, and automatic telephone call charge-backs (“900” numbers). The current preferred embodiment of the invention is for cable television services subscriber account management.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,528, issued to Hogan, discloses a bill delivery payment system in which users are able to access a server computer on a communications network to obtain bill information and pay bills. For example, such a communications network may be the Internet. Using a personal computer, a user can access a Web site provided by the server computer to view the bill information and instruct the server computer as to the details of the bill payment. In a second embodiment, without visiting the web site, users are provided with electronic bills containing bill information in the form of electronic mail (e-mail) at their e-mail addresses. After opening an electronic bill, a user can make the bill payment by replying to the electronic bill.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,887, issued to Chelliah, et al., discloses a system for facilitating commercial transactions, between a plurality of customers and at least one supplier of items over a computer driven network capable of providing communications between the supplier and at least one customer site associated with each customer. Each site includes an associated display and an input device through which the customer can input information into the system. At least one supplier is presented on the display for selection by the customer using the input device. Similarly items from a supplier can be displayed for the customer to observe. In addition, a customer information database stores information relating to the customer. Associated with each customer is a customer monitoring object for each customer. The customer monitoring object is created by referencing information, relating to that customer, which had been stored in the customer information database and when the customer selects a supplier. The customer monitoring object is configured to operate by responding to customer inquiries regarding a presented item by retrieving information relating to the item and presenting the information to the customer; receiving a customer's selection of a presented item; receiving customer communications, indicating a desire to receive the item; and passing a communication to initiate the delivery of the item to the customer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,298, issued to Rogers, discloses processing payment transactions using debit card numbers without the requirement of a personal identification number (PIN). A telepay system provides an interface between a standard touch-tone telephone and at least one debit card network such that real-time bill payment transactions may be effected using a keypad of the telephone. The telepay system includes an interactive voice response unit for prompting a payor to enter an access code, account number, debit card number and payment amount and for informing the user of the status of the transaction. Real-time processing of transactions is provided through use of debit card networks, rather than the Automated Clearing House. The telepay system is also capable of performing settlement functions and processing inquiries by payees of the system regarding previously processed transactions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,399, issued to Bezos, discloses a system for securely indicating to a customer one or more credit card numbers that a merchant has on file for the customer when communicating with the customer over a non-secure network. The merchant sends a message to the customer that contains only a portion of each of the credit card numbers that are on file with the merchant. Then a computer retrieves the credit card numbers by reference on file for the customer in a database, constructs the message, and transmits the message to a customer location (10) over the Internet network (30) or other non-secure network. The customer can then confirm in a return message that a specific one of the credit card numbers on file with the merchant should be used in charging a transaction. Since only a portion of the credit card number(s) are included in any message transmitted, a third party cannot discover the customer's complete credit card number(s).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,512, issued to Dedrick, discloses a method for providing electronic advertisements to end users in a consumer best-fit pricing manner including an index database, a user profile database, and a consumer scale matching process. The index database provides storage space for the titles of electronic advertisements. The user profile database provides storage for a set of characteristics that correspond to individual end users of the apparatus. The consumer scale matching process is coupled to the content database and the user profile database and compares the characteristics of the individual end users with a consumer scale associated with the electronic advertisement. The apparatus then charges a fee to the advertiser, based on the comparison by the matching process. In one embodiment, a consumer scale is generated for each of multiple electronic advertisements. These advertisements are then transferred to multiple yellow page servers, and the titles associated with the advertisements are subsequently transferred to multiple metering servers. At the metering servers, a determination is made as to where the characteristics of the end users served by each of the metering servers fall on the consumer scale. The higher the characteristics of the end users served by a particular metering server fall, the higher the fee charged to the advertiser.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,584, issued to Peters, et al., discloses a system for processing a batch which is distributed into a plurality of independent segments. A preferred embodiment of this invention calls for implementation on a symmetrical multiprocessing platform, however, the invention is also applicable to massively parallel architectures as well as uniprocessor environments. Each segment comprises a plurality of discrete events, each discrete event comprising a plurality of sub-events to be processed. The system operates to process each discrete event within each segment sequentially and each sub-event within each discrete event sequentially. The plurality of segments may be processed on an uniprocessor, SMP system or an MPP system. By balancing the number of discrete events in each segment using a “coarse grain” approach, a flexible but efficient use of processor availability is obtained.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,249, issued to Pollin, discloses a system and method of collecting payments comprising an automated system to generate a draft, payable to the creditor and drawn on the payor's checking account, pursuant to the payor's authorization. The draft is then executed by the debt collector as authorized signatory for the payor, and deposited into the payee's account to complete payment. The automated system has a simple input screen that receives the necessary information for generation of the draft, which may be read to the system operator over the telephone by the authorizing payor. The system verifies the bank and account information by comparing the input information to records in a database associated with the system. Optionally, the system may also generate an inquiry to the bank to determine the availability of funds in the payors account. When verification is complete, the system generates a paper bank draft payable to the payor, using MICR ink so that the draft can be processed in the banking system like an ordinary check. The signature block of the draft is made for the collection agent “as authorized signatory for” the payor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,594, issued to Klingman, discloses a remote communication system for facilitating secure electronic purchases of goods on-line, wherein a suitable local user input device in association with a data transmission system couples the user input into a packet network system for communication to a remote receiver/decoder apparatus to try a potentially desired product. Upon selection of the desired product by the user, a telecom network link is used to communicate a telephone number associated with the desired product from the user to the remote receiver to allow the user to buy the desired product. The telecom network used to link the user input device to the remote apparatus may also include a 900 number billing system for assessing and collecting fees for use of the system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,828, issued to Pendse, et al., discloses an on-line/information service system which is constituted with a caller management server and a number of on-line/information servers. The caller management server is equipped with multiple ports and complementary hardware/software, including a call management application, for managing multiple concurrent calls, which includes optionally validating the calls depending on whether services are provided on a callee or caller basis, assigning and connecting the calls to corresponding on-line/information service delivery environments on the on-line/information servers. The on-line/information servers are equipped with adequate hardware/software, including an on-line/information service manager application and a number of on-line/information service applications, to support multiple on-line/information service delivery environments. Each on-line/information service delivery environment is equipped with streamlined application sharing host services, thereby allowing an end-user PC equipped with streamlined application sharing client services to access on-line/information services provided by the on-line/information service applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,414, issued to Walker, et al., discloses a billing and collection system for enabling payment for a service provided over a data network by billing a customer for a telephone connection to a shared revenue billing network where the telephone connection to the billing network regulates access to the service provided over the data network, comprising: a data network including at least one user on-line service provider presenting at least one service for on-line access by a user with a user computer through the data network, a billing network and an access management computer for controlling access to the on-line service provider and billing the user for access to the on-line service provider, the access management computer communicating with the data network for enabling and terminating access to the on-line service provider through the user computer whereby the billing Network shares revenues for the telephone connection with the on-line service provider.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,512, issued to Tognazinni, discloses that digital delivery of receipts overcomes many of the problems associated with paper receipts. Digital receipts can be delivered over a proprietary or over an open Network such as the Internet. They can be uploaded to a smart card. They can be standardized in format to facilitate automated processing. An e-mail address can also be incorporated into a bank card or other machine readable and for automatic routing of the receipt to a payor's e-mailbox.
It is clear that these prior references do not teach or suggest the present invention, which invites the consumer to visit an interactive “transaction community” that provides the consumer with an interesting, creative alternative to traditional methods of debt presentment and resolution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present debt presentment and resolution system utilizes an Internet system featuring the distributed network of administrative and consumer users on, for example, Microsoft Windows 32-bit operating systems connecting legacy systems and providing secure access to a robust SQL database structure delivering innovative benefits and advantages in customer service and payment options for consumers. Billing service companies whose services extend via the mail and electronic bill presentment and payment do not offer a connected system that integrates the paper billing system with the online enhanced customer service and payment options.
The disclosed system is an Internet Content Provider serving a “transaction community” of creditors and debtors. Said invention brings these two groups together to engage in alternative debt resolution via enhanced, interactive communication. The principle underlying the “transaction community” model is mutuality. A community is created when it is mutually beneficial for individuals to come together in a common understanding. The “transaction community” has enormous potential for mutuality because it has beneficial offerings for both the creditor and the debtor communities. The creditor community benefits by providing enhanced customer service and gaining increased profits. The debtor community benefits by gaining enhanced customer service and access to an array of services related to improving their financial condition.
The “transaction community” model provides transaction focal points or kiosks for credit and collection agencies to drive customers to complete transactions. The base technology of a “transaction community” is a sophisticated Internet/intranet based software application that allows users to access and input information related to a particular debt with any popular browser. The user is invited to resolve debt through direct mail correspondence from the collection agency. This letter includes the “transaction community” Internet address (URL) as well as a unique ID that allows users to view their debt and enter a valid settlement. The credit or collection agency can consult with its clients to decide which “transaction community” would be appropriate to direct the client's customers toward. For example, a collection agency's utility client would want to have their customers directed to a “transaction community” for utility payment.
Customers may select from a variety of settlement options listed on the HTML (HyperText Markup Language) page. The database records for the “transaction community” are synchronized with those of the corresponding debt collection agency and exchanged at regular intervals.
Initiation of debtor interaction with said “transaction community” requires several steps. First, a creditor invites debtor to “join” through mail and/or telephone to communicate using a new customer service option, “transaction community”. Next, the customer enters the appropriate URL (Universal Resource Locator) into their Internet browser and begins interfacing with the “transaction community”. The customer is welcomed and the purpose or goal of the “transaction community” is explained. Clearly explained to said customer is that: technology has improved and the customer should benefit from advances in technology, the Internet has improved the way a provider and a customer may communicate and interact regarding transactions, the “transaction community” helps customers solve their debts by opening the lines of communication in an efficient, confidential, private, controlled, and comfortable environment, and the “transaction community” is a customer friendly service interface presented on a computer via the Internet designed to mediate between creditor and debtor and collect delinquent receivables and debts. The “transaction community” then asks the debtor to provide a secure pass code(as provided by the creditor in the invitation) to bring up account information. The “transaction community” then states the current status of the account and gives the customer or debtor options for further negotiation. The first option could be an agreement to pay the outstanding debt. At this point, options for payment may be displayed. Payment options include secure credit card payment or secure acceptance of checks through integration of an automated customer check printing system into the Internet transaction system as a few of the possible payment means. Other possible responses, aside from agreeing to pay said debt could include, but are not limited to, discernable choices for the debtor and/or a free form slate for communication via forms or e-mail. Said customer may choose a reason or type a reason why said debt is not paid and the appropriate form is sent to the collection center. In addition, the creditor can choose automated decision making via an artificial intelligence means (debtor response is matched with creditor tolerances) located within said “transaction community” server or may choose human decision via an online e-mail collection center.
In addition to the debt resolution or transaction management, the “transaction community” could incorporate interactive content that may be of interest to the demographics and characteristics of the particular market segment. This content could include information, links to other financial and employment related sites, and other interactive services.
The system architecture is divided into two sides, client side and server side. On the client side, said debtor will be able to login to the “transaction community” web page by entering said unique identification code, typically a password generated by the system, and typically supplied to the debtor along with his/her bill or “past due” notice. Debtors/users/customers will be able to use leading web browser software to access the “transaction community” web page.
The application essentially consists of several HTML forms, containing a minimal set of ActiveX controls, to increase speed of operation and eliminate the necessity of downloading appropriate ActiveX controls from said web page.
The first screen may have two data entry fields, Customer ID, i.e., said unique identification code, and said secondary key. After proper authentication, which will take the user to another HTML page, an account presentation form may appear. The data displayed on this account form will be read from the remote database residing on the “transaction community's” server. These components should constitute the “back office” components.
The second form may contain, but is not limited to, the following data about the account: debtor identification code, secondary access key, debtor name, debtor address, debtor phone number(s), debtor fax number(s), debtor's e-mail address(s), DUNS number, initial creditor's name, amount of the loan, principal amount of loan, interest to date, other costs accrued, debt status, aging of the debt, and collection agent's name. If data for one of the fields is not available, a “blank” field may be displayed. Alternatively, an administrative or help page may also appear.
To further process the transaction, a button on said page, possibly labeled “Settlement Options”, will then take users to another HTML page that may have five or more options; pay the debt off now with a credit card, dispute the debt, make a payment via phone, make a payment via check, or make a payment promise. The first option will allow debtors to pay off the debt with a credit card, in which case a standard credit card payment screen with data fields will appear. The second option will load an HTML page that will allow debtors to enter a dispute claim and e-mail it to the creditor or collection agent. It will also provide an option to request a verification of the debt. When a dispute message is received, some auto-decision making tools may be used, or the decision may be made manually and sent to the customer. The third option will provide users with telephone access to an authorized representative to arrange payment. With this option the customer will need to provide a representative with information about his/her checking account and/or bank requisites. The fourth option will allow users to arrange payment via a check or via a debit system on the account thereof The fifth option will allow debtors to make a promise to send a payment via check or money order by a certain date, for a certain amount to an address that could be verified on the HTML form. An account number verification will also be requested from the customer. Additional HTML forms may be created or provided to support additional desired options. The disclosed system is payment processor neutral, i.e., as payment systems evolve, they may be incorporated into the present system.
On the server side, the system contains appropriate database software and appropriate system support software. Authenticated customers will be able to access the database records and administer the accounts to various utilities such as an Internet Transaction Control Center via either RAS (remote access service) or HTTP through their web browsers.
Database records contain all the necessary fields to describe each account contained in the database, such as the status codes, description fields, history field, status types, action codes, and transaction result codes.
It is anticipated that the present invention may be utilized in a broad range of applications other than debt collection—in short, as an Internet Transaction Control Center. It incorporates a Web Debt Settlement System, providing a method for coordinating with various types of collection systems. It is intended that the invention also allows for payment by check via the Internet, as well as a method for making philanthropic contributions. Such a feature would be made available by the creditor or biller as a promotion or at the consumer's choice, by which the consumer could choose from a list of charitable organizations.
The system is also equipped with a fundraising system providing direct mail to invite campaign contributions. The system keeps accurate records of the donors and their contributions, and it gives donors the option to pay immediately (via check, credit card or smart card), or to pay in accordance with payment plans approved by the organization. This fundraising attribute of the system is designed to ensure privacy while also providing the permanent contribution records required by campaign laws.
The system may also include a revenue sharing system. Upon using a particular system feature, the system would distribute revenue to the appropriate vendor of that feature. For example, when the consumer logs on to a Website, the system would distribute revenue to the direct mail provider/system provider. When a consumer chooses to pay via credit card, revenue would be dispensed to the credit card processor. If the Call Center Button is hit, revenue would go to the call center button/center provider. Upon consolidation, the system will allocate revenue to the appropriate vendor. The system may also provide Help and Advertising for Dynamic Debt Resolution, as well as a Collection/Customer Service Call Center Button on the Web Page.
In preferred embodiments, the invention features a dynamic changing of graphical user interface to adapt to international language variances. The system utility will include interactive digital agents to guide the bill payer or the debtor through payment or customer service. The system will also incorporate digital advertising based on what is already known about the consumer.
Another component of the invention is an Education and Entertaining Bill Payment experience for American consumers. This will include educational information, debt counseling and debt consolidation, as well as games and promotions.
Thus, it is the object of this invention to provide a system and method for debt presentment and resolution through an Intranet or Internet content provider.
Further, it is also the object of this invention to provide a system and method comprising a plurality of “transaction communities” which are electronic forums for interaction between a plurality of parties through means of electronic mail (e-mail) or other such electronic communication means.
Furthermore, it is also an object of this invention to have an embodiment employing artificial intelligence means, whereby verbose instantaneous communication is made possible by the comparison of responses to tolerances.
In addition, it is also an object of this invention to provide a system and method further comprising an Internet/Intranet base software application that allows said debtors to access and input information related to a particular debt with any leading Internet browser software.
Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service accessable to any person with a PC and Internet connection.
Additionally, it is an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service whereby database records at said “transaction community” are synchronized with those of the corresponding debt collection agency and exchanged at regular intervals.
Further, it is also an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service ready to adapt to the new standards for online banking as they evolve.
Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service that utilizes modern technology to facilitate debt collection.
Further, it is also an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service that allows creditors to provide greater customer service to their customers.
Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service that allows creditors to increase profits.
In addition, it is also an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service that provides debtors with information and access to an array of services geared towards improving their financial condition.
Further, it is an additional object of this invention to provide enhanced means in which a debtor and creditor may interact regarding transactions and debts.
Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to provide “transaction communities” which help debtors solve their debts by opening the lines of communication in an efficient, confidential, private, controlled, and comfortable environment.
Additionally, it is an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service whose payment options for resolving debt include, but are not limited to, secure credit card payment or secure acceptance of checks through the integration of an automated customer check printing means into the Internet transaction system.
Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service whose options aside from paying the debt include, but are not limited to, disputing the debt or making a payment promise, and means to accomplish same.
Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service whose server has appropriate database software and appropriate system support software.
Additionally, it is an object of this invention to provide a web-base financial service whereby authenticated customers will be able to access the server database records and administer the accounts to various utilities such as an Internet Transaction Control Center via either RAS or HTTP.
In addition, it is an object of this invention to provide a web-based financial service which requires a system generated unique identification code in order to gain access to account information.
These and other objects will become apparent when one skilled the art reads this disclosure along with the attached drawings.
A detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, physical communication systems, data formats and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the present invention.
The “transaction community” system is implemented as two Active Server applications. One of them is designed to provide potential debtors access to their accounts, while another, which allows maintenance of the data and settings, including system policies, is designed to be used by collectors, system administrators and operators, and probably third party users. Both applications share a common database, for instance, Microsoft SQL server 6.5. These systems also use client-side scripting (mostly JavaScript), Java applets and ISAPI extensions in addition to server-side (ASP) scripting. Usage of ActiveX components on client side is reduced to minimum (there is only Microsoft Internet Transfer control that is used on client side to facilitate file uploads) due to potential compatibility problems. This further exemplifies the reason why JavaScript was used instead of VBScript (Visual Basic Script) on the client side. The vast majority of Internet browsers support Java applets and JavaScript on all platforms, while ActiveX and Visual Basic Script is supported mainly by Microsoft Internet Explorer and primarily on Intel-based environments.
The server side environment includes Microsoft NT 4.0, Microsoft IIS 3.0 with ASP (as well as Front Page extensions for development purposes), SQL 6.5 along with TSQL debugger extensions for debugging purposes.
The client application can run on any Java-enabled browser supporting JavaScript. Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02 or higher is recommended. Microsoft Internet Explorer should be enabled to open pages containing ActiveX to upload files on server (from administrator's application).
The database scheme is relatively simple: it uses a “customer” table to represent debtors, a “creditor” table to store creditor profiles, a “collector” table to keep collectors data and an “account” table to represent a debt instance. Another important table is “operation”, which keeps all the account transactions.
Access to the program is limited to users who have been previously provided (by mail or otherwise) with a “User ID 105” and “Password 106” and once these have been typed, the user will click “Login 107” to enter the program. To stop transmitting the said information or to re-enter different information, click “Reset 108.”
The “Restricted Access Warning 109” on the bottom of the screen is to caution unauthorized users from entering and viewing the program. Once the user's ID and password have been transmitted, the user is logged in.
If the user chooses to access his or her account, then he or she will be brought to
Alternatively, a user may choose to develop a new account. The screen illustrated in
A user who seeks a description of a debtor can obtain one.
Rather than viewing the profile of an already existing debtor, a user may create a description of a new debtor.
Similarly, a user may seek to review a description of an already existing creditor or may desire to create a new one. This is achievable via the screens depicted in
A user can obtain a list of collector profiles, as well.
It is also possible to create a new collector profile.
A user may also input default settings for the system.
To keep track of downloaded information, a user can access
A user can access general information about the system through the “About SolveMyDebt.com” screen, as depicted in
A user who seeks assistance with any of the system's features can access the screen depicted in
Should the user wish to send Email, he or she may do so through the Send Mail screen, as depicted in
When a debtor receives a notice from a collection agency regarding an overdue payment, it will typically resemble the one shown in
The debtor who chooses to visit the website will encounter
The user encounters an illustration of system construction information and information for compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act with “Instructions and FDCPA if necessary 307” (the information is based on the locality of the debtor to comply with fair debt collection laws). The screen provides the user with hyperlinks to a variety of system resources via “Hyperlink to FDCPA. 308,” “Hyperlink to About SolveMyDebt.com. 309,” “Hyperlink to Security and Privacy Info. 310,” “Hyperlink to Access Account 311,” “Hyperlink to Help 312,” “Hyperlink to Send Mail 313,” and “Hyperlink to Job Opportunities 314.”
A debtor who seeks detailed information regarding the FDCPA will link to
A consumer who seeks detailed information about the system itself will link to
A consumer who wishes to utilize the system can link to
Once the proper name and password have been processed, the user will reach
If the consumer seeks more detailed information regarding the account, he or she can access
Once the consumer decides to pay the debt, he or she can pay by credit card, check or money order.
If the consumer feels that the overdue payment with which he or she is charged is erroneous, then the consumer may choose to dispute he debt.
Claims
1. A method for settling a debt owed by a user performed using a computing device and comprising:
- receiving financial information, at the computing device, regarding the debt;
- seeking available credit information including information about the user's current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt from at least one source external to the computing device and the user;
- parsing received available credit information including information about the user's current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt into a desired format;
- processing parsed received available credit information about the user's current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt from the available credit information using a rules based engine including rules established on behalf of a party to the debt located at the computing device, wherein the rules based engine comprises rules that consider the user's ability to pay the debt; and
- presenting a transaction settlement offer set to the user, the transaction settlement offer set comprising at least two individually selectable monetary offers to settle the debt, each individually selectable monetary offer to settle the debt including at least one decisioned monetary settlement term specifically determined for the user based on the rules established on behalf of the party to the debt, amount of the debt, and parsed received available credit information about the user's current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt, each individually selectable monetary offer selectable by the user to establish settlement of the debt by modifying existing terms of the financial obligation using terms of the individually selectable monetary offer selected by the user;
- wherein upon selection of one offer in the transaction settlement offer set by the user, the computing device obtains user payment information and processes at least a portion of the one offer selected by the user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user comprises a debtor.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the available information comprises a credit report associated with the debtor.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein rules in the rules based engine are established by a credit entity having rights to the debt.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the rules based engine relies on at least one dictionary employed to translate received information into information used within the computing device.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction settlement offer set comprises at least one monetary offer formed according to rules established by a credit entity having an interest in the debt.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the user to make a different offer than any offer provided in the transaction settlement offer set.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein parsing received available credit information including information about the user's current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt into a desired format comprises parsing the available credit information to obtain only that information required to produce the transaction settlement offer set.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the transaction settlement offer set comprises an incentive to the user to settle the debt by communications with the computing device.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing an alternative settlement offer set that differs from any offer in the transaction settlement offer set.
11. The method of claim 10, forth comprising approving the alternative settlement based on predetermined settlement rules.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting the user with at least one payment option related to at least one offer in the transaction settlement offer set.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the payment options comprise at least one from a group including a discounted immediate payment option and a periodic payment of a fixed monetary amount.
14. A method of settling a debt owed by a user to a party to the debt, the method performed using a computing device and comprising:
- seeking, using the computing device, credit information from a source separate from the computing device and the user, and when information is available, receiving the available credit information at the computing device, wherein the credit information includes information about the current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt;
- parsing received available credit information including information about the user's current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt into a desired format processing parsed received available credit information about the user's current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt at the comprising device using a rules based engine comprising rules established on behalf of the party to the debt, wherein the rules based engine comprises rules that consider the user's ability to pay the debt;
- contacting the user via a communication inviting the user to seek to resolve the debt; and
- presenting a transaction settlement offer set to the user, the transaction settlement offer set comprising at least two individually selectable monetary offers to settle the debt, each individually selectable monetary offer to settle the debt including at least one decisioned monetary settlement term specifically determined for the user based on the rules established on behalf of the party to the debt, amount of the debt, and parsed received available credit information about the user's current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt, each individually selectable monetary offer selectable by the user to settle the debt by modifying existing terms of the financial obligations using terms from the individually selectable monetary offer selected by the user;
- wherein upon selection of one offer in the transaction settlement offer set by the user, the computing obtains user payment information and processes at least a portion of the one offer selected by the user.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user comprises a debtor.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the credit information comprises a credit report associated with the debtor.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising enabling the user to make a different offer than any offer provided in the transaction settlement offer set.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein parsing received available credit information including information about the user's current financial condition and the user's ability to pay the debt into a desired format comprises parsing the credit information to obtain only that information required to produce the transaction settlement offer set.
19. A method of settling a debt owed by a debtor to a creditor, the method performed using a computing device and comprising:
- seeking credit report information for the debtor from a source other than the debtor, the credit report information including information regarding the debtor's current financial condition and the debtor's ability to pay the debt, and when the credit report information is available, receiving the credit report information at the computing device;
- parsing received credit report information including information regarding the debtor's current financial condition and the debtor's ability to pay the debt into a desired format;
- processing parsed received credit report information about the debtor's current financial condition and the debtor's ability to pay the debt at the computing device using a rules based engine comprising rules established by the creditor; and
- determining and presenting a transaction settlement offer set to the debtor, the transaction offer settlement set comprising at least two individually selectable monetary offers to settle the debt, each individually selectable monetary offer to settle the debt including at least one decisioned monetary settlement term specifically determined for the user based on the rules established by the creditor, amount of the debt, and the parsed received credit report information about the debtor's current financial condition and the debtor's ability to pay the debt, each individually selectable monetary offer selectable by the debtor to establish settlement of the debt by modifying existing terms of the debt using terms of the individually selectable monetary offer selected by the user;
- wherein upon selection of one offer in the transaction settlement offer set by the debtor, the computing device obtains user payment information and processes at least a portion of the one offer selected by the debtor.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 9, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 9, 2014
Applicant: Collections Marketing Center, Inc. (Wilmington, DE)
Inventor: Scott L. Evans (Bay Harbor Islands, FL)
Application Number: 14/021,609
International Classification: G06Q 40/02 (20060101);