Fraud Control Or Billing Restriction Patents (Class 379/127.02)
  • Patent number: 11936804
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products for consolidating toll-free features of two or more telecommunications networks. In one implementation, the network services may be consolidated through utilization of an Enhanced Feature Server (EFS) or other type of application server deployed in a telecommunications network. The EFS may be configured to receive a toll-free communication and route the communication based on the dialed toll-free number and a carrier identification code (CIC) associated with the communication. Routing the communication based at least on the CIC associated with the communication allows the telecommunications network to consolidate (and ultimately remove) a redundant network or network components from the telecommunications network to improve the operation of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Tschirhart, Ken Shomaker
  • Patent number: 11889021
    Abstract: One example method of operation may include collecting call metric data over a predefined period of time for identified calls, querying the call metric data to identify whether one or more call filtering criteria parameters require changes, determining one or more call filtering criteria parameters require changes based on a deviation from one or more expected call metric data values included in the call metric data, modifying one or more of the call filtering criteria parameters, and updating an active call scam model stored on a call processing server based on the one or more call filtering parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: FIRST ORION CORP.
    Inventors: Mark Hamilton Botner, Collin Michael Turney, Daniel Francis Kliebhan, Robert Francis Piscopo, Jr., Charles Donald Morgan, Jamelle Adnan Brown, Chee-Fung Choy, Samuel Kenton Welch, Nysia Inet George, Andrew Collin Shaddox
  • Patent number: 11632462
    Abstract: One example method of operation may include collecting call metric data over a predefined period of time for identified calls, querying the call metric data to identify whether one or more call filtering criteria parameters require changes, determining one or more call filtering criteria parameters require changes based on a deviation from one or more expected call metric data values included in the call metric data, modifying one or more of the call filtering criteria parameters, and updating an active call scam model stored on a call processing server based on the one or more call filtering parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: FIRST ORION CORP.
    Inventors: Mark Hamilton Botner, Collin Michael Turney, Daniel Francis Kliebhan, Robert Francis Piscopo, Jr., Charles Donald Morgan, Jamelle Adnan Brown, Chee-Fung Choy, Samuel Kenton Welch, Nysia Inet George, Andrew Collin Shaddox
  • Patent number: 9031213
    Abstract: A method of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Heritage Secure E-Commerce, LLC
    Inventor: Joe M. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9002320
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for detecting and preventing bypass fraud in telecommunication networks, primarily for detecting and preventing SIM box fraud in telecommunication networks. The methods include generating one or more test calls from a remote agent to a local agent where the remote agent can be a roaming agent or a remote dialer. The local agent is a subscriber number. The methods further include facilitating call forwarding of the test calls from the local agent to a local number. The methods include identifying the presence of bypass fraud by analyzing caller identification information of the test call received on the local number. Finally, the methods include preventing future use of a detected SIM box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Roamware, Inc.
    Inventors: John Yue Jun Jiang, David Gillot
  • Patent number: 9001985
    Abstract: A method of and system for discovering and reporting the trustworthiness and credibility of calling party number information, such as Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or Calling Number Identification (Caller ID) information, or for inbound telephone calls. The disclosed method entails the use of real time telephone network status and signaling, network data, locally stored data, and predictive analytics. Practice of the disclosed method is neither detectable by nor intrusive to the calling party, and the method can be implemented into existing enterprise, telecommunications, and information service infrastructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: TrustIP, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Cox, Richard J. Greene, Joseph H. Bockelman, Shreyas Saitawdekar
  • Patent number: 8681956
    Abstract: Automatic number identification (ANI) data or billing telephone number (BTN) data associated with a subscriber account of a telecommunications network is obtained. Thereafter, first reference subscriber data associated with a subscriber is obtained. The first reference subscriber data is different from the ANI data or the BTN data. A first database location is accessed using the ANI data or the BTN data to determine second reference subscriber data. A second database location is accessed using the ANI data or BTN data to determine that the subscriber account associated with the ANI data or BTN data is billable. The first reference subscriber data and the second reference subscriber data are compared, and the identity of the subscriber verified if the first reference subscriber data corresponds to the second reference subscriber data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: PaymentOne Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Lynam, Ken R. Dawson, M. Brendan Philbin, Jennifer R. Truitt
  • Patent number: 8666045
    Abstract: A method is described of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: PayOne Corporation
    Inventor: Joe M. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8654948
    Abstract: A telephone fraud prevention system is provided. A fraud application server is in communication with a fraud database and a switch that determines which calls are sent to the fraud application server. A policy function may be integrated with existing fraud detection and correlation systems. When a call is originated and authentication fails, whether that's through a PIN, voice recognition, etc., the fraud application server sends a message indicating that this customer has failed to authenticate. After a number of authentication failures, evidence of high-risk calling is determined. Instead of reactively dealing with the fraud, the risk has been captured at the fraud application server and the switch blocks potential damage from that call and from that user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Dement, Todd Kechter, Michael Anthony Clark
  • Patent number: 8583078
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for managing cellular usage in controlled areas. For example, in one embodiment, a cellular monitoring system communicates with one or more femto cells located within a controlled area for detecting the presence of unauthorized cellular devices or for monitoring the usage of cellular devices within the controlled area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sweeney, Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Jeff Stafford
  • Patent number: 8442193
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in collect calls from a domestic origin point to an international terminating point through a long-distance telecommunications system is described. In the system and method, a Screening for International Calls database is added to the call processing platform. This Screening of International Calls database contains records keyed by country codes, and each record has a blocked collect call field listing destination numbers that are blocked from receiving collect calls. When a domestic-to-international collect call is made, the record corresponding to the country code of the international terminating point of the collect call is retrieved from the Screening for International Calls database. This record is checked to determine if the destination number of the collect call matches any destination numbers listed in the blocked collect call field of the country code database record. If there is a match, the call is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Dean C. Marchand, Arthur Lance Springer
  • Patent number: 8379815
    Abstract: The computer-implemented method includes receiving a first request via the Internet for a first transaction between a user and a vendor for goods or services. A billing telephone number of the user is then obtained, and the first transaction automatically charged to a subscriber account associated with the billing telephone number. Sometime later, a second request is received via the Internet for a second transaction between the user and a vendor for goods or services. If the second transaction cannot be billed to the subscriber account, an alternative payment method is automatically used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: PaymentOne Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Lynam, Ken R. Dawson, M. Brendan Philbin, Jennifer R. Truitt
  • Patent number: 8345837
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium embodying a computer program for securing a communication against access by unintended users is presented. A communication is initiated from a person using an originating telecommunication device to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the communication failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, a telecommunications host carrier provider may re-route the communication to an alternate telecommunication device. A business authentication logic of the host carrier then determines any security or quality of service filters established by the user of the originating telecommunication device prior to the communication being initiated to prevent unintended users from accessing the communication. Upon the business authentication logic of the host carrier authorizing the communication, the communication is encrypted and re-routed to the alternate telecommunication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy R. Chavez, Jacob D. Eisinger, Michael C. Hollinger, Jennifer E. King, Christina K. Lauridsen, Fabian F. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8340259
    Abstract: An approach provides fraud detection in support of data communication services. A list of single-event attributes (e.g., hot or cold attributes) is generated and includes a network address of an end user host originating a data call or a calling party identification (e.g., Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or an originating Calling Line Identification (CLI)) for network access, wherein entries of the list specify values of the hot attributes. An attribute value associated with the data call is compared with the entries. A fraud alert is generated if the attribute value matches one of the entries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Saralyn M. Mahone, Matthew J. Gilbert, Thomas E. Stepp, Arthur L. Springer, John Hans Van Arkel
  • Patent number: 8265245
    Abstract: A system and method for processing telephone calls and providing enhanced services is presented. The call processing system includes a network control processor for controlling the processing and routing of the calls and for providing enhanced features, and a matrix switch for routing calls from an originating location to a terminating location. Operator consoles can be included to provide operator assistance to the caller. The network control processor comprises a central message processor that receives call data, determines the type of call, determines the processing required, and determines whether operator assistance is required. A call route distributor allocates an operator console to the call if required. A billing server is used to track billing information for the call while it is in progress. A database server is provided for database look-ups and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Hogan, Kristi T. Feltz, Douglas R. Murdock, Todd A. Goodman, David J. Vercande, Michael R. Tangeman, Eric M. Busch, Raghavan Kripakaran, Madhigubba G. Jayasimha, Keith E. Smith, Mark A. Austin, Dana Bruce Berry
  • Patent number: 8238532
    Abstract: A method of and system for discovering and reporting the trustworthiness and credibility of calling party number information, such as Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or Calling Number Identification (Caller ID) information, or for inbound telephone calls. The disclosed method entails the use of real time telephone network status and signaling, network data, locally stored data, and predictive analytics. Practice of the disclosed method is neither detectable by nor intrusive to the calling party, and the method can be implemented into existing enterprise, telecommunications, and information service infrastructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: TrustID, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Cox, Richard J. Greene, Joseph H. Bockelman, Shreyas Saitawdekar
  • Patent number: 8135388
    Abstract: A system is provided for managing communication network capacity. The system includes a processor, a data store, an analysis component, and a message component. The data store stores information associated with communication metrics for customers. The analysis component, when executed by the processor, determines a mean and a standard deviation for the communication metrics based on the stored information. The analysis component also determines whether the stored information associated with communication metrics for one of the customers is a predefined number of the standard deviation from the mean for more than a predefined number of days. The message component, when executed by the processor, sends a message to the one of the customers in response to a determination that stored information associated with the communication metrics for the one of the customers is the predefined number of the standard deviation from the mean for more than the predefined number of days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael A. Gailloux, Kenneth Samson, Gautam M. Shah
  • Patent number: 8102981
    Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods and systems are disclosed that provide duration alerting for communication sessions to subscribers. A communication network of the invention comprises a charging system and a network management system. The charging system receives charging information from at least one network node serving a session for a subscriber. The charging system monitors a duration of the session based on the charging information, and processes filter criteria and the duration of the session to determine whether to provide duration alerting for the session. If the charging system determines that duration alerting is proper based on the filter criteria, then the charging system transmits duration alerting information to the network management system. The network management system receives the duration alerting information, and transmits a duration alerting message to the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Yigang Cai
  • Patent number: 8064580
    Abstract: Inmate communications systems provide a feature-rich platform with a high degree of flexibility and security employing call control facilities located off institutional premises. Authentication processes for calling and called party verification include biometric techniques in some embodiments. Distributed processing of call control and billing provide flexible interactive call payment processes. Preferred embodiments feature voice over IP transmission and control featuring controlled access to avoid addition of unauthorized third-party call participants. Monitoring, recording and selective forwarding of calls is provided under control of system administrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Confinement Telephony Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley Larry Apple, Timothy Edwin Pabon, Kenneth Jay Gumbiner, William Ryan
  • Patent number: 7848500
    Abstract: A method is described to verify the identity of a user. The method, in one example embodiment, comprises obtaining automatic number identification (ANI) data or billing telephone number (BTN) data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunications network; obtaining identification data associated with a subscriber, said identification data being different from the ANI data or the BTN data; searching a first database using the ANI data or the BTN data to determine first reference subscriber data; searching a second database using the identification data to determine second reference subscriber data; comparing the first reference subscriber data to the second reference subscriber data; and verifying an identity of the subscriber based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: PaymentOne Corporation
    Inventors: Joe M. Lynam, Ken R. Dawson, M. Brendan Philbin, Jennifer R. Truitt
  • Patent number: 7817791
    Abstract: An approach provides fraud detection in support of data communication services. A list of single-event attributes (e.g., hot or cold attributes) is generated and includes a network address of an end user host originating a data call or a calling party identification (e.g., Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or an originating Calling Line Identification (CLI)) for network access, wherein entries of the list specify values of the hot attributes. An attribute value associated with the data call is compared with the entries. A fraud alert is generated if the attribute value matches one of the entries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Saralyn M. Mahone, Matthew J. Gilbert, Thomas E. Stepp, Arthur L. Springer, John Hans Van Arkel
  • Patent number: 7760861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting abnormal calling activity in a communications network is described. In one embodiment, usage data associated with at least one phone number is obtained from the communications network. The usage data is subsequently processed to determine if abnormal calling activity associated with the at least one phone number is exhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 7760862
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in collect calls from a domestic origin point to an international terminating point through a long-distance telecommunications system is described. In the system and method, a Screening for International Calls database is added to the call processing platform. This Screening of International Calls database contains records keyed by country codes, and each record has a blocked collect call field listing destination numbers that are blocked from receiving collect calls. When a domestic-to-international collect call is made, the record corresponding to the country code of the international terminating point of the collect call is retrieved from the Screening for International Calls database. This record is checked to determine if the destination number of the collect call matches any destination numbers listed in the blocked collect call field of the country code database record. If there is a match, the call is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Dean C. Marchand, Arthur Lance Springer
  • Patent number: 7609826
    Abstract: A system and method for processing gathered call data from a network monitoring system to prepare the call data for analyzing call routing across a network, not limited to call data associated with the transit portion of a call path. The system and method include correlating call data to form a correlated set, ordering the call data in the correlated set to form a compound CDR, and enriching the compound CDR by comparing CDRs within the compound CDR to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela Shau-han Liu, Jeremy Y. Ho, William A. Samples, Allan T. Kerr, Michelle M. Tompkins
  • Patent number: 7577241
    Abstract: A method is provided for supporting a call record suppression feature in a telecommunications network (30). The method includes: handling a call for an end user terminal (10) served by a facility (20) of the telecommunications network (30); determining if the call record suppression feature is active for the end user terminal (10); processing a call record for the handled call if it is determined that the call record suppression feature is not active for the end user terminal (10); and, suppressing the processing of the call record if it is determined that the call record suppression feature is active for the end user terminal (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Benco, Sanjeev Mahajan, Baoling S. Sheen, Sandra Lynn True
  • Patent number: 7570750
    Abstract: A system of evaluating automatic message accounting records associated with telephony calls is disclosed. The system includes correlation logic to collect originating AMA records having an originating call code to identify a record of an originating long distance call and further to collect terminating AMA records that correspond to the collected originating automatic message accounting records. The system also includes evaluation logic to determine when a call may be by-passing terminating access charges by identifying calls that have been correlated with an originating AMA record having the originating code and with a terminating AMA record having a local termination code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Frederick Michael Armanino, Carol Mingst, George Swinston McLain, David Lewis Kimble, John D. Estes
  • Patent number: 7512398
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for authenticating a digital data unit of a mobile communications device. In one embodiment, the invention provides for the capture of a digital data unit with a mobile communications device and generating authentication data to confirm at least one of the source or integrity of the digital data unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Chambers, Michael Kiessling, Kenneth A. Tuchman
  • Patent number: 7512221
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for the automatic detection of fraudulent activity on a transaction network, for which each transaction over the network has an associated identifier. In one embodiment, the system includes voice comparison means for comparing a first sampled voice of a user of a first transaction with a subsequently sampled voice of a user of a subsequent transaction having an identical identifier to that of the first transaction. Control means in the form of a voice-based fraud detection engine is provided for determining, from said comparison, a profile of user usage that is representative of a total number of different users of the associated identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the system also includes voice sampling means for sampling a voice of the user of the first transaction to generate a first voice sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Cerebrus Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Alvin David Toms
  • Patent number: 7457401
    Abstract: A predictive model system is used to detect telecommunications fraud. Call records (CDRs) provided by telephone companies are evaluated against specified rules. If one or more rules are matched, the system generates an alert. Pending alerts for a customer form a case, describing the caller's calling patterns. A predictive model determines a score that is predictive of the likelihood that the call involved fraud. Cases are queued for examination by analysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventors: Justin Lawyer, Alex Barclay, Dirk Englund, Robert Holmes, Dimpy Pathria, Tim Roach, Scott Zoldi
  • Publication number: 20080219422
    Abstract: Systems and methods which determines the likelihood that a calling (or in some cases the called) user will pay for a particular auxiliary service are described. A system of an embodiment considers the user's credit risk and his/her propensity to pay, when deciding if the user is eligible for a particular auxiliary service. A methodology used for determining propensity to pay for an auxiliary service according to embodiments is independent from a determination of propensity to pay for a basic calling service. Thus, the criteria used, and the weight given to each criteria, for determining eligibility for auxiliary services can be different from the criteria and criteria weight used for basic communication connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Evercom Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Polozola, Stuart Rosenfield
  • Patent number: 7388948
    Abstract: A method of evaluating automatic message accounting records associated with telephony calls that originate at a local exchange carrier telephony office and that are routed over an inter-exchange carrier telephony facility is disclosed. The method comprises collecting originating automatic message accounting records associated with the originating local exchange carrier telephony office, and collecting terminating automatic message accounting records that correspond to the originating automatic message accounting records. A first portion of the terminating automatic message accounting records have a terminating access code and a second portion of the terminating automatic message accounting records have a local termination code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Frederick Michael Armanino, Carol Mingst, George Swinston McLain, David Lewis Kimble, John D. Estes
  • Patent number: 7366289
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in international calls in a long-distance telecommunications system, where selected customers can avoid fraud control blocks and greater granularity is achieved in blocking international destinations. In the method and device, an override flag is created in the records of the Billing Number Screening (BNS) database. When a call is made using a billing number whose corresponding record has the override flag set, the call is not stopped by fraud control blocks on certain international destinations. In addition, international destinations can be blocked with greater specificity because a Country Set Logic (CSET) field is added to the International City Code Database. The addition of CSET to this database allows particular international city destinations to be blocked from certain origin points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Dean C Marchand, Arthur Lance Springer
  • Patent number: 7353014
    Abstract: In general, a portable unit and method are described for storing user information for subsequent recovering. For one embodiment, the portable unit comprises a casing, an antenna and logic employed within the casing. The logic may comprise a wireless transceiver coupled to the antenna, a processing unit coupled to the wireless transceiver, and a remote transceiver coupled to a plurality of device drivers and a memory unit. The memory unit is configured to store remote codes, user identification information and user transaction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Vijay Raghavan Chetty
  • Patent number: 7158622
    Abstract: A predictive model system is used to detect telecommunications fraud. Call records (CDRs) provided by telephone companies are evaluated against specified rules. If one or more rules are matched, the system generates an alert. Pending alerts for a customer form a case, describing the caller's calling patterns. A predictive model determines a score that is predictive of the likelihood that the call involved fraud. Cases are queued for examination by analysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Fair Isaac Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Lawyer, Alex Barclay, Dirk Englund, Robert Holmes, Dimpy Pathria, Tim Roach, Scott Zoldi
  • Patent number: 7142651
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for detecting a fraud event on a distributed network are disclosed. A fraud event is indicated if data analysis reveals that there is a lack of consistency between elements in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ectel Ltd.
    Inventors: David Ronen, Daniel Adler
  • Patent number: 7133509
    Abstract: A set activation fee pay telephone permits a telephone customer to place a telephone call from a pay telephone if the customer presents valid billing information, and charges the customer a fixed fee for the call, plus any other applicable network charges. The set activation pay telephone accepts two inputs: a telephone number the customer desires to call and billing information. The set activation fee pay telephone stores the telephone number locally and transmits the billing information to a network element. A determination is made as to whether the billing information is valid. Typically, the determination is made by querying a billing database. If the billing information is valid, then an approval signal is transmitted to the set activation fee pay telephone. Once the set activation fee pay telephone receives the approval signal, it passes the telephone number stored in memory to the PSTN and the call is placed normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: W David Conley
  • Patent number: 7079635
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in international calls in a long-distance telecommunications system, where selected customers can avoid fraud control blocks and greater granularity is achieved in blocking international destinations. In the method and device, an override flag is created in the records of the Billing Number Screening (BNS) database. When a call is made using a billing number whose corresponding record has the override flag set, the call is not stopped by fraud control blocks on certain international destinations. In addition, international destinations can be blocked with greater specificity because a Country Set Logic (CSET) field is added to the International City Code Database. The addition of CSET to this database allows particular international city destinations to be blocked from certain origin points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: MCI, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean C. Marchand, Arthur Lance Springer
  • Patent number: 7035387
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting intrusion events, such as war dialing events are disclosed. According to one method, signaling messages associated with calls being made or attempted in a telecommunications network are analyzed. Based on the signaling messages, it is determined whether a war dialing event has occurred or is in progress. In response to determining that a war dialing event has occurred or is in progress, a war dialing event mitigating action is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Tekelec
    Inventors: Travis Earl Russell, Peter Joseph Marsico
  • Patent number: 7013002
    Abstract: A method of providing collect call service includes receiving a request for a collect call from a calling party (18). A selected number to call is received. A call is placed to a receiving party (20). Agreeability of the receiving party (20) to accept the credit card billing for the collect call is determined. The calling party (18) is connected to the receiving party (20) in response to the acceptance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael P. Link, Kenneth A. Skupien, Pepper Mulherin
  • Patent number: 6980637
    Abstract: A system for service control and operations for a telecommunications network. In particular, an architecture and method for a service control and operations element system. The system communicates with a plurality of interconnected telecommunications network elements via a switching and signaling subsystem. The system provides and controls the various functions of the telecommunications network, such as call processing and routing, automatic fault detection and correction, providing services to customers in an interactive manner, fraud detection and control, identification of patterns of abuse of the network, collecting data regarding call activity at each network element, and producing a record of each call placed within the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Gurcharan S. Bhusri
  • Patent number: 6947532
    Abstract: A method of identifying fraud in a telecommunications system. The method includes receiving data related to a current call placed from an originating automatic number indicator (ANI), where the received data includes at least the originating ANI, a billing number and an identification code. A threshold number and a time interval corresponding to the identification code for the originating ANI are retrieved, for example, from a memory. In addition, billing numbers for prior calls from the originating ANI, if any, and corresponding indicia of the times of the calls are retrieved. A determination is made of whether the number of billing numbers used for the current and prior calls from the originating ANI over a prior period of time equal to or less than the time interval exceeds the threshold number. If the threshold number is exceeded, a fraud alert is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: MCI, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean C. Marchand, Erin C. Jackman
  • Patent number: 6931110
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, computer program product and system are provided for implementing calling card security. A telephone call request is received from a calling card user. A plurality of predefined options is checked to identify user selected options for the calling card. The telephone call request from the calling card user is processed responsive to the identified user selected options for the calling card. During calling card setup, the calling card user can selectively enable multiple predefined options for use of the calling card. The calling card user can selectively enable use of the calling card for one or more user specified telephone numbers, use of the calling card to a user specified limited area, use of the calling card with voice recognition, use of the calling card for a user specified limited number of calls from a specified telephone number; and use of the calling card for a user specified limited time duration for a call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, John Matthew Santosuosso
  • Patent number: 6904136
    Abstract: A process for a transfer of funds for payment for goods and/or services in which a purchaser of the goods and/or services requests that a financial services organization generate a financial certificate in an amount equal to the payment. The requester receives the requested certificate and then transmits the certificate to the provider of good and/or services. Upon validation of the certificate by the provider, the transaction is completed and the purchaser so notified. The purchaser is subsequently billed by the financial services organization for the cost of the certificate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Fred S. Cook
  • Patent number: 6850606
    Abstract: A predictive model system is used to detect telecommunications fraud. Call records (CDRs) provided by telephone companies are evaluated against specified rules. If one or more rules are matched, the system generates an alert. Pending alerts for a customer form a case, describing the caller's calling patterns. A predictive model determines a score that is predictive of the likelihood that the call involved fraud. Cases are queued for examination by analysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Fair Isaac Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Lawyer, Alex Barclay, Dirk Englund, Robert Holmes, Dimpy Pathria, Tim Roach, Scott Zoldi
  • Patent number: 6836540
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of offering a service to a user. The method comprises receiving a dialed number from a request to initiate a collect telephone call from an origination source; processing the dialed number to determine whether payment may be received for the collect telephone call, wherein the processing blocks the collect call and stores the dialed number when the processing determines that payment may not be received for the collect telephone call; and establishing a telephone connection with the dialed number to communicate an offer for the service to a user associated with the dialed number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Evercom Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Falcone, Keith S. Kelson, Jeremy W. Duke, Lee R. Johnson, Robert E. Sullivan, Randy Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6819751
    Abstract: This invention relates to switching and operational support systems in the area of general telecommunications and more particularly, to a new type of solution for forwarding data from a network element and to a new type of solution for utilizing data from a network element. In a method of forwarding data according to the invention the software module that supports the customer billing information data stream is adapted to include the complete usage data information for the whole network element as well as the customer billing information. This usage data stream can then be obtained by different systems for various purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
    Inventors: Peter Reginald Lewis, Brian Kilkelly
  • Patent number: 6801606
    Abstract: In order to detect fraudulent or potentially fraudulent usage of a telecommunications network, each call connected by way of one of the digital main switching units of the network (3a to 3c) has an associated billing record transferred to a fraud management system (4). The fraud management system compares the origin and destination of the call with a known usage pattern for the originator and, if other indications are that the call is of a fraudulent nature, and the call deviates from the known usage pattern an alarm can be forwarded to an operator. The user profile used to determine normal calling behaviour is updated over a period of time in respect of calls determined as not fraudulent. An initial user profile may be generated from historic billing records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Azure Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Alexander F M Edwards
  • Patent number: 6785372
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing prepaid local telephone services is provided. The method includes determining if a subscriber is making a qualified local telephone call, checking to see if a maximum number of calls have been made by the subscriber and decrementing a call counter if a telephone call in connected. The system includes a switch for receiving telephone calls and identifying subscribers and qualified telephone calls. In addition, the system includes a telephone network element in communication with the switch, the telephone network element having logic for identifying local telephone calls, a notification timer configured to remove the telephone network element from a telephone call after a predetermined period of time, and a call counter for monitoring a number of local calls permitted to a subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: John Moss, Dianna Tiliks, Gordon Blumenschein, James Kovarik
  • Patent number: 6763098
    Abstract: Non-toll calls originating from payphones may be blocked. An intelligent node is provided within the telecommunications network to identify whether a non-toll call originated from a payphone. The intelligent node may apply a number of different criteria to determine whether to block a non-toll call that is determined to have originated from a payphone. The intelligent node may be customized to apply criteria based upon customer request. The customer may also identify additional processing that is to be performed when a call is to be blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis E. Allen, Phillip D. Crable, Deanna D. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 6697469
    Abstract: A calling-party-pays gateway operative for billing a surcharge for a telecommunication service to an account associated with a calling line number. The calling-party-pays gateway is configured for connection between a telephone system and a switch servicing a group of terminating stations such that all communications directed to terminating stations serviced by the switch are routed through the gateway. When the gateway receives a connection request defining a communication directed to a terminating station serviced by the switch, the gateway determines whether the terminating station is associated with an account that requires the surcharge to be billed to the account associated with the calling line number. If the terminating station is associated with an account that requires the surcharge to be billed to the account associated with the calling line number, the gateway determines whether the account associated with the calling line number is pre-approved to receive the surcharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Karl Koster