Abstract: An issuing system for issuing unmodifiable and/or unforgeable hardcopy documents or securities includes a server and a plurality of issuing machines connected to the server via a network. Each of the issuing machines receives an ID recording medium provided by a potential purchaser, retrieves an identification recoded in the received ID recording medium, requests the potential purchaser to input request for a transaction of the security or fixed rate financing instrument, processes the requested transaction by retrieving information via a network from the server, and prints out on demand a hardcopy of the security or fixed rate financing instrument as purchased by the potential purchaser and a checksum thereon. A method for forming a new market with the issuing system.

Abstract: Various aspects relate to systems, methods or devices for processing overdrafts made by customers. A particular embodiment is directed towards, a system that is configured to receive transaction data from customer-oriented terminals. The transaction data includes requests for monetary transfers on behalf of customers that hold a checking or savings account at a financial institution. In response to receiving the transaction data, the system accesses customer account information, which can include the amount of funds in the checking or savings accounts. The system determines whether sufficient funds exist in the accounts to cover the financial transactions. In response to a potential overdraft of one or more customer accounts, stored customer information is accessed to determine and authorize overdraft deferment eligibility of the customer based upon the stored customer information. The system defers an overdraft fee by providing a grace period during which funds can be transferred to cover the overdraft.

Abstract: A bill-paying system includes a customer deposit account which receives periodic payroll deposits of an individual or a couple. A bill-paying service enrolls the individual or couple for a fee, and is authorized to transfer money from the deposit account to the accounts of various creditors. An originating depository financial institution, such as a bank, handles the transfers of money, and such transfers are preferably done electronically. The automated clearing house (ACH) network supports such electronic money transfers. The various bills and debts of the individual or couple come due at times that are asynchronous to their income structure. The bill-paying service is authorized to debit the deposit account for more than the basic minimums due the creditors each month. Such excess is used to accelerate the repayment of various loans and debts according to what particular application at that time will have the greatest long-term beneficial effect.

Abstract: Methods and devices for confirming payment transactions are provided. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a graphical user interface (GUI) with one or more graphical elements that may be moved by a user to confirm or decline a payment transaction using a selected payment instrument. For example, a user may drag the graphical element to a confirmation position via a touch screen of the electronic device. In another example, a motion sensing device, such as an accelerometer, may sense movement of the electronic device and move the graphical element in response to the motion. Upon confirmation, payment information for the payment transaction may be transmitted to a merchant or payment recipient. Various additional methods, machine-readable media, and devices for confirming payment transactions are provided.

Abstract: A user device for interfacing predetermined external services provided by third party service providers to a user at a fixed location includes a processing platform running an operating system, a plurality of physical system resources associated with the remotely configurable user device, physical system resource interfaces for interfacing the operating system with the available physical system resources, a data store for storing ones of multiple configuration information associated with and identifying the external services that are available to a user with the user device and one or more of the available physical system resources required for ones of the external services and a communication resource for interfacing with the operating system to allow communication of the operating system with a central office for downloading of configuration information to remotely enable a selected one or ones of the predetermined external services provided by third party service providers.

Abstract: A system for interfacing predetermined external services provided by service providers to a user at a fixed location includes a processing platform running an operating system and a plurality of physical system resource interfaces for interfacing with available physical system resources allowing a user to gain access to the predetermined external services, a data store associated with the processing platform stores configuration information defining ones of a plurality of external services, a communication interface enables the operating system to communicate with a central office to download of configuration information for one or more of the external services and to facilitate access to a selected one of the external services.

Abstract: A payment network (for example, an open-loop payment network or a closed-loop payment network) is provided and includes systems and methods of payment utilizing bank transactions (e.g., credit based transactions and debit based transactions) and prepaid access. Systems and/or methods are also provided relating to payment based promotions. Additionally, a platform is provided where users can secure terms of use associated with prepaid access, without having to purchase the prepaid access. Further, users can secure custom terms in connection with qualifying bank transactions conducted in the future.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating payments for transactions, via mobile devices and mobile telecommunications networks, is disclosed. In an embodiment, a product provider is provided with a code, such as a QRcode, which contains or references payment details for purchase of the product. A mobile user of the application scans the code and is connected to their internet banking application. The payment details are transferred to the internet banking application and the mobile user confirms that the transaction should proceed. Payment is made without any secure details being provided to the product provider.

Abstract: A transaction management system includes a database system configured to receive and store data for a plurality of financial transactions, the data for the plurality of financial transactions being associated with a plurality of financial accounts of a user. The system further includes a server system coupled to the database system and configured to categorize the plurality of financial transactions into a plurality of categories, the categories including merchant categories and payment method categories, the server system being further configured to provide a plurality of user interfaces to the user, each user interface providing a display of a different portion of the plurality of financial transactions, each user interface configured to enable a user to select a link configured to direct the user to an image of a check associated with one of the plurality of financial transactions; and categorize the financial transaction into a one of the merchant categories.

Abstract: A system and method of check cashing at an ATM are provided. In some examples, the system and method may include receiving a check at an ATM that does not include denominations of bills and/or coins to cash the check. The amount of the check may be rounded up to an amount for which appropriate denominations are available and the difference between the amount of the check and the rounded up amount may be charged to an account of a user, such as checking account, savings account, credit card, and the like.

Abstract: A system receives account access information from a user. The account is then accessed using the received access information. Data is harvested from a web page associated with the account or received from another financial data source. The user's ability to access the account is authenticated based on the obtained information.

Abstract: A system for interfacing predetermined services to a user at a fixed location includes a processing platform running an operating system. Also included are a plurality of physical system resource interfaces for interfacing with available physical system resources. The physical system resources allow a user to gain access to the predetermined desired services. The system further includes a data store for storing configuration information for enabling the operating system to interface with the available physical system resources through the physical system resource interface associated therewith.

Abstract: Money transfer system authorizing an escrow agent computer electronically by touch-tone telephone, computer modem, P.O.S. (point of sale) terminal, live operators, to send cash transfers from a sender's account such as their credit, debit, bank, or ATM card, or a bank account, to a recipient who accesses the money at any remote ATM type location or P.O.S. (point of sale) terminal by using cards such as a specialized magnetic cards, credit cards, debit cards, and automated teller machine (ATM) card, at anytime and anywhere. Senders can authorize the transfer by touch-tone and PIN (personal identification number) secure codes. The system can operate without pre-existing relationships, and monitor transactions and take surcharges based on transfer amounts, and use a cards tethered to ATM machines and be used with double magnetic sided cards.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to register one time, at a server associated with an authenticating entity, information comprising an identity uniquely associated with an individual account owner and an account held by the authenticating entity. Further activity includes receiving an authentication request at the server from a requesting party to authenticate an unauthenticated individual purporting to be the individual account owner, and authenticating, by the server, the unauthenticated individual as the individual account owner by matching a token presented by the unauthenticated individual, to the identity. Responsive solely to the authenticating, only a selected portion of the information previously authorized by the individual account owner is provided for sharing with the plurality of selected requesting parties. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an expense reporting system for viewing and manipulating a user's financial transaction data and a method for associating financial transaction data with a user's project data. The system includes a user's financial transaction data hosted in a data storage unit, addressable on a network, and accessible by a remote user on a user interface unit having a user input means and a display; and an expense reporting module having a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to define project category data and associate representations of the user's financial data with the user-defined project category data.

Abstract: A method, program product and system, the method comprising: accessing one or more databases comprising: aggregated deposit account information for a plurality of government-backed insured and interest-bearing aggregated deposit accounts held in a plurality of depository institutions, obtaining transfer data; allocating one or more first amounts. The allocating comprising: selecting a sub-set of one or more aggregated deposit accounts held in one or more of the depository institutions to which to deposit/transfer or to withdraw/transfer funds, while avoiding withdrawing funds for a respective sub-period of time from each of one or more of other aggregated deposit accounts based at least in part on one or more criteria; and allocating a first amount(s) of funds to the aggregated deposit accounts based at least in part on the transfer data and the sub-set selected to receive a deposit/transfer of funds or from which to withdraw/transfer funds.

Abstract: A payment system executes payments from payers to vendors. An unattended interface system automates the uploading of payments file from each payer to the system. A web services transfer server performs the unattended transfer. Steps of a payment server generating an electronic funds transfer file with a group of fund transfer records for each payment represented by a record of the payment file. After the electronic funds transfer file is complete, the steps further comprise transferring the electronic fund transfer file to an electronic payment network for execution. Remittance records are transferred to the vendor utilizing an unattended transfer executed by the web services transfer server.

Abstract: The present invention provides embodiments of a shared account system that allows a primary user to add one or more dependent users to one or more accounts of the primary user in order to control and monitor the transactions made by a dependent user using a shared payment system. The primary user can set preferences, including spending limits, specific time frames within which the dependent user can make a purchase, or restrictions on transactions made at a store or for a product. The shared payment system may be a shared mobile wallet, such as a smartphone or PDA, which allows a user to enter into transactions. The shared mobile wallet allows the dependent user to make a purchase at a store or over a network by transmitting through a connection between the shared payment system and the merchant systems used to make the transaction.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine can operate to carry out a financial transaction for a machine user responsive to communication with a financial transaction host computer. The machine includes a card reader that can read a user identifier from a magnetic stripe of a user card. The machine sends the read user identifier to a remote marketing computer. The marketing computer uses a user identifier to determine the next marketing presentation to be presented to a machine user corresponding to the user identifier. Responsive to a message received from the marketing computer, the machine operates to display the determined next marketing presentation to the machine user. A marketing campaign includes a sequence of presentations to be output in a predetermined order to a machine user. Machine communication with the remote marketing message computer is independent of machine communication with the transaction host computer.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, at a service server, a request for services from a requesting device. The service server may identify one or more service options responsive to the request and send a list of the identified service options to the requesting device. The service server may receive a selected service option from the requesting device. The service server may collect payment information for the selected service option from the requesting device and providing accounting information to a service provider of the selected service option based on the payment information.

Abstract: A transaction processing system for the real time authorization of payment transactions, The system comprises a verification system (4) connected to an issuer card management system (3). A cardholder can access the system via an interface (2) which can be for example the Internet, a wireless device, telephone, or a branch visit. The interface allows the cardholder to input rules governing how their credit card transactions are to be authorized. When the cardholder initiates a purchase transaction with their credit card, an authorization request is passed from the card network to the verification system which executes the rules created by the cardholder in order to approve or deny the transaction.

Abstract: A system receives account access information from a user. The account is then accessed using the received access information. Data is harvested from a web page associated with the account or received from another financial data source. The user's ability to access the account is authenticated based on the obtained information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the likelihood that a group of transactions may be structured to avoid a limit or reporting requirement, such as a government reporting requirement, are disclosed. The frequency distributions of a customer's transactions for different value ranges are compared to determine whether transactions within a target range occur randomly or at an unexpected level. In another embodiment, the frequency distribution of a customer's transactions is compared to a frequency distribution created by randomly sampling a distribution of similar transactions to determine whether the customer's transactions occur randomly.

Abstract: A method, system, computer program product, and apparatus, or a combination of the foregoing for remotely connecting to an Intelligent Cash Recycler. A user connects to any Intelligent Cash Recycler tied into the system in order to remotely access, monitor, communicate, update, trouble-shoot, perform maintenance on, and settle accounts of the remotely located Intelligent Cash Recyclers. Incident reports are created in real-time to indicate when there is an issue with a particular Intelligent Cash Recycler. The system routes the incident reports to the appropriate groups, so that the groups may address the incident reports and resolve the problem. Specifically, a group may, for example, resolve some incidents by making changes to the remotely located cash recycler configuration settings, pushing new files to the recycler, or updating the software or firmware associated with the remotely located cash recycler.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of allocating calls coming into a call center from a caller location remote from the call center, receiving a call from a caller which includes information from an RFID chip located in close proximity to the caller location; decoding the information from the RFID chip to determine one or more parameters relating to the information; using said one or more parameters to allocate the call from the caller at the call center to ensure calls are handled in accordance with the parameters. This has the advantage of much more efficient management of the of the calls within the call center and ensures that the calls are sent to the agent with the most appropriate skill set.

Abstract: An electronic funds transfer authentication system and method facilitates the verification and authentication of a user and if authenticated allows the user to perform an action in an online system, such as an electronic funds transfer. The user-entered data is validated, and then the action (e.g., electronic funds transfer) is validated using credit/debit card information. Using a unique combination of security measures and procedures, the risk associated with various types of action and fund transfers is reduced, thereby enabling a financial institution to protect its customers' accounts with a greater degree of certainty.

Abstract: A method of executing an electronic financial transaction involving two parties providing information for generating a transaction document and authorizing the document to execute the transaction. The method contemplates the maker electronically transmitting a data record representative of the financial transaction directly to a payee, such as by email. The payee can then convert the data record into a transaction acceptable to a bank of first deposit, such as by printing or imaging the data record into a form acceptable to the bank, such as a standard paper check.

Abstract: In a software suite for enabling viewing and manipulation of data through a single portal accessible from a data-packet-network, a software interface for enabling proxy transfer of funds from one financial account to another is provided. The software interface comprises, an interactive main window for configuring transfer funds orders, viewing pending transfers, viewing transaction history, and viewing active account balances related to registered financial accounts, an interactive selection window accessible through the main interface, the selection window for enabling selection of individual accounts for grouping into a list of activated accounts and an automated confirmation window enabling confirmation of data parameters of a requested funds transfer. A user operating the main interface may initiate funds transfer orders to be performed between accounts at requested times by proxy in a fashion transparent at the time of execution to the requesting user.

Abstract: A method is implementable in an electronic system coupled to an electronic device, which is, in turn, coupled to a display device. A web page displayable on the display device is served to the electronic device. The displayed web page includes a user interface, which, in turn, includes a frame and at least one stile defining a plurality of panes within the frame. In a first one of the panes, at least one field into which a tax-data provider can input tax data is displayed. In a second one of the panes, information of a first type of a plurality of information types operable to assist the provider in performing a first operation of a set of operations using the user interface is displayed. Input tax data is received from the electronic device.

Abstract: Offsite financial account onboarding is provided which creates a more streamlined process for a customer. The customer accesses a money services businesss business electronic system to request financial account setup. The onboarding system establishes account access to a pooled custodial account managed by the money services businesss business based on preliminary identification (ID) data from the customer. With only preliminary ID data, account access limits are assigned which reduces the risk of fraud or criminal activity with the customer's account access. Because account access is established with just the preliminary ID data, the customer may fully obtain account access directly from a mobile device. The money services businesss business provides additional graduated access levels depending on additional ID data provided by the customer. Thus, depending on the type of ID data provided by the customer, the customer's account access will have corresponding access level rights to the custodial account.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility that stores data associating a phone number of a user and an account identifier of the user. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor uses one of the converters to transmit premium messages to the phone number to collect funds via a telecommunication carrier, receives a payment request having the account identifier, identifies the phone number based on the account identifier, and makes a payment on behalf of the user using the collected funds.

Abstract: A special purpose entity offers a financial product linked to a charitable organization. A monetary donation is made to the charitable organization for paying a premium assigned to the financial product. Capital payments are received from one or more investors for the financial product. The premium is paid by the special purpose entity to the investors. Upon occurrence of a catastrophic event assigned to the financial product, the capital is paid from the special purpose entity to the charitable organization, for funding relief efforts for the catastrophic event. Otherwise, the capital is repaid from the special purpose entity to the investors. Charities and donors can prepare a country for natural and man-made disasters by putting in place funding before a catastrophic event actually occurs.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The automated banking machine may also include a portal device that is operative to cause the display, card reader and other devices in the machine to operate in response to communications through the portal device.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read card data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser and the machine carries out transaction functions for consumers including dispensing cash. The machine may be configured such that when an alternative bootable media is detected, the computer is operative to prompt a user to input a bios boot password.

Abstract: A method for transferring funds, comprising defining a savings parameter associated with a first financial account and a second financial account, wherein the savings parameter adjusts over time based on the funds available in the first financial account and the second financial account, performing a transfer of funds from the first financial account to the second financial account for a transfer amount determined by the savings parameter, and displaying a progress report based on the transfer of funds.

Abstract: A method and system which uses a communication network to facilitate financing-related activities is provided. A list of financing functions is provided to a user terminal across the communication network. The list of financing functions corresponds to those functions available to a user of the user terminal. The financing functions include at least one of a status function, a report generation function and a financing program function. A financing function request is received from the user terminal. The financing function request corresponds to a selected one of the financing functions provided to the user terminal. A database is accessed to retrieve data corresponding to the received financing function request. The retrieved data is arranged into a predetermined format and transmitted across the communication network to the user terminal.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided that allows a point of sale device to capture the signature of a check writer at the time a check is presented for ACH processing. In accordance with another embodiment, a test can be made to compare optically read information from the face of a check against a negative database or a risk management database to reduce the risk of bad checks being processed by a merchant.

Abstract: Equipment of a provider may be operable to establish a billing arrangement with a purchasing customer to charge a billing account associated with the purchasing customer a first amount, establish a remitting arrangement with a selling vendor to remit between the selling vendor and the provider a second amount by way of an account associated with the selling vendor, establish communications with equipment of the purchasing customer, enable the equipment of the purchasing customer to communicate with equipment of the selling vendor, obtain transactional information relating to a purchase transaction initiated by the purchasing customer, which results in the billing account of the purchasing customer being charged the first amount, and initiate between the selling vendor and the provider a remittance of the second amount by way of the account associated with the selling vendor. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods and systems for an electronic financial transaction system with a translation system architecture. Aspects of the invention provide translation methods such that the front-end functions (e.g., authentication, presentation, content library, data library, and banking functions) are all performed under one system. These front-end functions are decoupled from their respective bank back office systems. The information from these front-end functions are merged together to form a session profile information. The translation service or module receives this session profile information and translates the session profile information of the transactions in order to complete the transaction for the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a computer-implemented method of performing a financial transaction on a network comprising storing a plurality of risk factors and associated severities in a web-enabled remote policy database, the severities defining actions taken when a specific risk factor is detected, storing a plurality of hold override policies that associate a financial transaction type with a hold type in the policy database. Various embodiments can receive transaction data including an image of a check, applying the plurality of risk factors to the transaction data, and applying the plurality of hold override policies to the deposit data. Finally, other embodiments include a web-enabled user interface through with users can review and approve/disapprove the handling of exceptions to the risk factors, severities, and hold override policies on a real-time or near-real time basis.

Abstract: A wireless mobile communications apparatus reads removable cards and can communicate an account corresponding to the removable card in order to conduct a wireless transaction with a merchant on the account with the wireless mobile communications apparatus. A total currency amount for the transaction, and remaining balance in the account after the transaction, can be displayed on a display screen of the wireless mobile communications apparatus. The removable card can be a gift card bearing a magnetic strip having an identifier for the account encoded thereto that will be read when inserted into the wireless mobile communications apparatus which can be a cellular telephone or Web enabled portable device. The magnetic strip gift card can be substantially composed of paper so as to be intended for disposable after use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system for grouping spend items in a list of said spend items, and for detecting outliers. The spend items entered into the spend database are phonetically sorted and grouped into second level clusters by the spend data clustering engine. In the first level of clustering, first level clusters are created by matching the spend items using generated word tokens and sorted sound codes. The unique spend items, in the list generated after first level clustering, are further matched to create second level clusters. The first level clusters are updated based on the second level of clustering. In order to determine discrepancies in clustering and spend, statistically deviating outliers are detected in each second level cluster. This engine provides clustering at configurable levels of accuracy. The engine's specific combination of word token and sound code matching provides accurate results for spend items.

Abstract: A software suite that provides a bill-payment module and comprises an interactive main interface listing bills due and payment accounts, an interactive history link, an interactive set-up link embedded in the main interface, an interactive transfer-funds link, an interactive calendar link, a plurality of interactive drop-down menus providing upon invocation a plurality of selectable, interactive options for treating the listed bill and an interactive refresh-all link embedded in the main interface.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product are provided for a user to send and receive P2P payments using a mobile device. Through the use of the mobile device, a user may access his/her accounts at a financial institution and direct payments to a third-party using an alias. The user may ensure a secure payment to a third-party through the network associated with a financial institution. Payments may be directed to individuals the user may input into the system by providing the individual's alias. An alias may be a unique identifier of an individual and tied to a financial account of that individual. The sender of the P2P payments may input the recipient's alias and transfer funds via the P2P payment system without having to input the recipient's account information. This invention allows a user to receive and provide payments for transactions utilizing the convenience of a mobile device.

Abstract: A system conducts online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user establishes an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other online accounts. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. The online fund transfer may include a verification of a user's information including verifying a mailing address.

Abstract: A prepaid messaging solution using open networking standards (e.g., TCP/IP) to support pre-payment of Internet messaging services. The disclosed prepaid architectures/methods determine if a subscriber has sufficient account balance to deliver a short message, prior to message delivery. A message may be prevented from being delivered (at the source end or destination end) if a subscriber account has insufficient funds. A prepaid tariff engine supports remote interaction with the SMSC and web chat servers to apply real-time billing for each message. A service provider may define subscriber rates and/or tariffing plans to apply real-time billing for sending/receiving messages. Message billing may be based upon, e.g., rate per message, message count, character count, Time of Day, Day of Week, message type, and/or mobile location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a items such as stocks and other securities, suitable for use in portable devices, such as personal organizers, wherein instead of separate watch lists, a pool of items being watched is maintained, and the total number of items which can be contained in the pool is intentionally limited to a predefined number, and further wherein each of the items in the pool includes an associated tag which defines a watch list to which it belongs, and the pool of the items being watched can be viewed simultaneously as one coherent collection, or specific watch lists can be displayed.

Abstract: The invention is related to a system and method for offering a financial instrument to a pre-qualified consumer. Potential consumers are pre-qualified for a variety of financial instruments, which pre-qualifications are stored in one or more databases and are linked to the consumer by a unique identifier and information that may later be verified. When a consumer contacts an entity operating, or otherwise in contact with, the system and method of the invention, the system determines whether that particular consumer has been pre-qualified for one or more financial instruments. The system may also determine whether one or more of the financial instruments which the consumer is pre-qualified for is appropriate for offering to the consumer according to pre-determined conditions linked to the financial instrument. Further checks may be performed at the time of the consumer contact for any indicators that the consumer should not be offered one or more of the financial instruments.

Abstract: A method for authentication of a user (1) to an acceptance point (3), the authentication being performed by comparing a transaction number (Trx1D) with a computed or stored transaction number (Trx1D), wherein the acceptance point (3) and/or a user terminal (2) sends a request message to a central point (4) and the central point (4) provides and transmits a temporarily valid transaction number (Trx1D) by means of which authentication of the user (1) to the acceptance point (3) can be performed, or that the acceptance point (3) provides a temporarily valid transaction number (Trx1D) by means of which authentication of the user (1) to a central point (4) can be performed, an authorization after successful authentication to the central point (4) being performed by the generation and transmission of an authorization message from the central point (4) to the acceptance point (3).