System and method for debt presentment and resolution

Abstract

A system and method for debt presentment and resolution through an Intranet or Internet content provider is disclosed. The system and method include a plurality of “transaction communities” which are electronic forums allowing interaction between a plurality of transactors and a plurality of creditors through a variety of channels. The system of the invention allows transactors to access and input information related to a particular debt and select the method in which to complete the transaction. For example, transactors may be provided with a URL for a content provider along with a unique identification code from the collection agency(s) through mail correspondence or other communication. Upon the transactor entering the URL and entering the identification code, the transactor may then proceed to choose from a variety of settlement options listed on the HTML page. A database system then records the transaction(s) and synchronizes with the database of the collection agency(s).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for producing the payment of a bill, debt or other transactions, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a transaction interface for a creditor or vendor and user to exchange information such that said user may complete a payment transaction with said creditor or vendor;    providing at least one computer in communication with a computer network;    storing control information in a database;    informing said user of said control information, wherein said control information includes access information unique to said creditor or vendor, said access information allowing said user to access said transaction interface without system enrollment;    inviting said user to access said transaction interface using said access information to complete said payment transaction;    providing access for said user to a transaction community upon connection to said transaction interface and following input of said access information; and    interactively promoting said information exchange between said user and said creditor or vendor for said user to complete said transaction.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said transaction interface is a Web site, said site including said transaction community accessible by said user following input of said access information, said software application enabling said interactive exchange of information between said user and said creditor or vendor.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said transaction interface is an interactive voice response (IVR) telephone system  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said IVR system is capable of interacting with said transaction community software application following input of said access information enabling said interactive exchange of information between said user and said creditor or vendor.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said transaction comprises payment by said user.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said transaction comprises accessing information related to said payment.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said transaction comprises disputing a debt.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said informing comprises said user receiving a letter via regular mail.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said informing comprises said user receiving an electronic message.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said informing comprises said user receiving a telephone message.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said transaction results in said transaction information being stored in said database.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said transaction information may be retrieved by said creditor or vendor.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 allowing said user to access information unrelated to said debt, including financial, employment or demographic information.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 allowing said user to complete said payment transaction using their checking account.    
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 reporting receipt of said payment to said database.    
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 allowing for said payment by credit card over the Internet.    
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 allowing for said payment by credit card through the mail.    
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 reporting receipt of said payment to said database.    
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 allowing said debtor to make a charitable contribution.    
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 providing said user with a receipt acknowledging said contribution.    
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein said receipt is in printed format.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein said receipt is in electronic format.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 19 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 gathering contribution information in compliance with charitable organization reporting regulations and compiling said contribution information for reporting.    
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 allowing said user to make a campaign contribution.    
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 providing said user with a receipt acknowledging said contribution.    
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said receipt is in printed format.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said receipt is in electronic format.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 24 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 gathering contribution information in compliance with campaign reporting regulations and compiling said contribution information for reporting.    
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 providing advertising materials appropriate for said user.    
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 providing at least one of a plurality of reports accessible by said creditor, said reports providing transaction information from all payment channels.    
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein creditor information is automatically updated.  
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 automatically loading one or more user restrictions files.    
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 32 , wherein said restrictions files are related to rules selected from the group consisting of coordination of service termination status accounts, minimum payment requirements, payment method limitations, and payment method privilege suspension.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the steps of: 
 allowing account number rules to be applied at user entry; and    scrubbing said database prior to reporting to reduce invalid or unknown transactions.    
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 providing real-time notification of payment.    
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 providing reports over the Internet of attempted and successful payment initiations for customer use with restricted access based on the internet protocol address and/or password access.    
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 providing an account level edit interface over the Internet for customer use with restricted access based on internet protocol address and/or password access.    
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 integrating reporting of all payment transactions and subsequent changes in status with conventional formats for daily reporting with reconciliation support.    
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 sending payment remittance and reconciliation information to a backend financial information system.    
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 managing non-sufficient funds check returns.    
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 40 , wherein said managing further comprises representment of returned check/ACH transactions.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 41 , wherein said check/ACH presentments are timed to target said user's automatic payroll deposit schedule.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 recognizing duplicate transactions.    
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 automatically apply service fees to said users where said service fees are authorized.    
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 verifying the availability of funds to cover payments by checks and/or checking account debits.    
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of: 
 providing an advanced analytics framework to provide instantaneous data associations of multi-variate data structures within said database.    
     
     
         47 . A system for producing the payment of bills, debts or other transactions, said system comprising: 
 at least one server computer having a transaction interface for computing over a network;    means for a creditor to interact with said server computer for providing control information to establish a database, said information including access information unique to said creditor;    means for informing said user of said control information, including said access information;    interface means for said user to interact with said server computer without enrollment using said access information, said interface means enabling said user to perform transactions on said server associated with said control information; and    means for storing transaction information entered by said user.    
     
     
         48 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said transaction interface is a Web site, said site including a transaction community accessible by said user following input of said access information, said transaction community enabling said interactive exchange of information between said user and said creditor.  
     
     
         49 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said transaction interface is an interactive voice response (IVR) telephone system  
     
     
         50 . A system according to  claim 49 , wherein said IVR system is capable of interacting with said transaction community following input of said access information enabling said interactive exchange of information between said user and said creditor.  
     
     
         51 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said transaction comprises payment by said user.  
     
     
         52 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said transaction comprises accessing information related to said payment.  
     
     
         53 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said transaction comprises disputing a debt.  
     
     
         54 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said means for informing comprises a letter sent from said creditor to said user via regular mail.  
     
     
         55 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said means for informing comprises an electronic message.  
     
     
         56 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said informing comprises a telephone message.  
     
     
         57 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said transaction information is stored in said database.  
     
     
         58 . A system according to  claim 57 , wherein said transaction information may be retrieved by said creditor from said database having any of a plurality of formats.  
     
     
         59 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system further comprising means for allowing said user to access information unrelated to said debt.  
     
     
         60 . A system according to  claim 59 , wherein said information unrelated to said debt is selected from the group consisting of financial information, employment information and demographic information.  
     
     
         61 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said system further comprises means for allowing said user to complete said payment transaction using said user's checking account.  
     
     
         62 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said system further comprises means for allowing for said payment by credit card over the Internet.  
     
     
         63 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said system further comprises means for allowing for said payment by credit card through the mail.  
     
     
         64 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said information relates to a charitable organization, said interface means allowing said user to make a payment to said charitable organization.  
     
     
         65 . A system according to  claim 64 , said system comprising means for providing said user with a receipt acknowledging said payment to said charitable organization.  
     
     
         66 . A system according to  claim 65 , wherein said receipt is in printed format.  
     
     
         67 . A system according to  claim 65 , wherein said receipt is in electronic format.  
     
     
         68 . A system according to  claim 64 , said system comprising means for gathering contribution information in compliance with said charitable organization reporting regulations and compiling said contribution information for reporting.  
     
     
         69 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said information relates to a campaign, said interface means allowing said user to make a payment to said campaign.  
     
     
         70 . A system according to  claim 69 , said system comprising means for providing said user with a receipt acknowledging said payment to said campaign.  
     
     
         71 . A system according to  claim 70 , wherein said receipt is in printed format.  
     
     
         72 . A system according to  claim 70 , wherein said receipt is in electronic format.  
     
     
         73 . A system according to  claim 69 , said system comprising means for gathering contribution information in compliance with said campaign's reporting regulations and compiling said contribution information for reporting.  
     
     
         74 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said system further comprises revenue sharing means properly allocating collected funds between creditors and service providers.  
     
     
         75 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein said system further comprises means for providing said debtor with advertising materials appropriate for said user.  
     
     
         76 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for providing at least one of a plurality of reports accessible by said creditor, said reports providing transaction information from all payment channels.  
     
     
         77 . A system according to  claim 76 , wherein creditor information is automatically updated.  
     
     
         78 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for automatically loading one or more user restrictions files.  
     
     
         79 . A system according to  claim 78 , wherein said restrictions files are related to rules selected from the group consisting of coordination of service termination status accounts, minimum payment requirements, payment method limitations, and payment method privilege suspension.  
     
     
         80 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for allowing account number rules to be applied at user entry, and means for scrubbing said database prior to reporting to reduce invalid or unknown transactions.  
     
     
         81 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for providing real-time notification of payment.  
     
     
         82 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for providing reports over the Internet of attempted and successful payment initiations for customer use with restricted access based on the internet protocol address and/or password access.  
     
     
         83 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for providing an account level edit interface over the Internet for customer use with restricted access based on internet protocol address and/or password access.  
     
     
         84 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for integrating reporting of all payment transactions and subsequent changes in status with conventional formats for daily reporting with reconciliation support.  
     
     
         85 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for sending payment remittance and reconciliation information to a backend financial information system.  
     
     
         86 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for managing non-sufficient funds check returns.  
     
     
         87 . A system according to  claim 86 , wherein said managing further comprises representment of returned check/ACH transactions.  
     
     
         88 . A system according to  claim 87 , wherein said check/ACH presentments are timed to target said user's automatic payroll deposit schedule.  
     
     
         89 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising recognizing duplicate transactions.  
     
     
         90 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for automatically applying service fees to said users where said service fees are authorized.  
     
     
         91 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for verifying the availability of funds to cover payments by checks and/or checking account debits.  
     
     
         92 . A system according to  claim 47 , said system comprising means for providing an advanced analytics framework to provide instantaneous data associations of multi-variate data structures within said database.  
     
     
         93 . A system for producing the payment of bills, debts or other transactions, said system comprising: 
 a server computer having an interface for computing over a network;    a database associated with said server computer for storing control information associated with a debt;    means for generating a notice based upon said control information, said notice comprising access information unique to a creditor;    means for sending said notice to a user;    a transaction community established for said creditor and accessible by said user following input of said access information; and    means for allowing said user to resolve said debt with said creditor;    wherein said transaction community enables interactive exchange of information between said user and said creditor; and    wherein said notice includes an invitation for said user to resolve said debt by accessing said transaction community.    
     
     
         94 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said creditor inputs said information.  
     
     
         95 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said Web site includes access to said transaction community such that said user is enabled to perform an interactive exchange of information with said creditor.  
     
     
         96 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said user may access said information on said system through an interactive voice response (IVR) telephone system.  
     
     
         97 . A system according to  claim 96 , wherein said IVR system is capable of interacting with said transaction community following input of said access information enabling said interactive exchange of information between said user and said creditor.  
     
     
         98 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said user accesses said information.  
     
     
         99 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said user disputes said debt.  
     
     
         100 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said notice is a letter sent from said system to said user via regular mail.  
     
     
         101 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said notice is in the form of an electronic message.  
     
     
         102 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said notice is in the form of a telephone message.  
     
     
         103 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein resolution of said debt results in transaction information being stored in said database.  
     
     
         104 . A system according to  claim 103 , wherein said transaction information may be retrieved by said creditor from said database in any of a plurality of formats.  
     
     
         105 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system further comprising means for allowing said user to access information unrelated to said debt.  
     
     
         106 . A system according to  claim 105 , wherein said information unrelated to said debt is selected from the group consisting of financial information, employment information and demographic information.  
     
     
         107 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said system further comprises means for allowing said user to complete said transaction using said user's checking account.  
     
     
         108 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said system further comprises means for allowing for payment of said debt by credit card over the Internet.  
     
     
         109 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said system further comprises means for allowing for payment of said debt by credit card through the mail.  
     
     
         110 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said information relates to a charitable organization, said interface means allowing said user to make a payment to said charitable organization.  
     
     
         111 . A system according to  claim 110 , said system comprising means for providing said user with a receipt acknowledging said payment to said charitable organization.  
     
     
         112 . A system according to  claim 111 , wherein said receipt is in printed format.  
     
     
         113 . A system according to  claim 111 , wherein said receipt is in electronic format.  
     
     
         114 . A system according to  claim 110 , said system comprising means for gathering contribution information in compliance with said charitable organization reporting regulations and compiling said contribution information for reporting.  
     
     
         116 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said information relates to a campaign, said interface means allowing said user to make a payment to said campaign.  
     
     
         117 . A system according to  claim 116 , said system comprising means for providing said user with a receipt acknowledging said payment to said campaign.  
     
     
         118 . A system according to  claim 117 , wherein said receipt is in printed format.  
     
     
         119 . A system according to  claim 117 , wherein said receipt is in electronic format.  
     
     
         120 . A system according to  claim 116 , said system comprising means for gathering contribution information in compliance with said campaign's reporting regulations and compiling said contribution information for reporting.  
     
     
         121 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said system further comprises revenue sharing means for properly allocating collected funds between creditors and service providers.  
     
     
         122 . A system according to  claim 93 , wherein said system further comprises means for providing said debtor with advertising materials appropriate for said debtor.  
     
     
         123 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for providing at least one of a plurality of reports accessible by said creditor, said reports providing transaction information from all payment channels.  
     
     
         124 . A system according to  claim 30 , wherein creditor information is automatically updated.  
     
     
         125 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for automatically loading one or more user restrictions files.  
     
     
         126 . A system according to  claim 32 , wherein said restrictions files are related to rules selected from the group consisting of coordination of service termination status accounts, minimum payment requirements, payment method limitations, and payment method privilege suspension.  
     
     
         127 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for allowing account number rules to be applied at user entry, and means for scrubbing said database prior to reporting to reduce invalid or unknown transactions.  
     
     
         128 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for providing real-time notification of payment.  
     
     
         129 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for providing reports over the Internet of attempted and successful payment initiations for customer use with restricted access based on the internet protocol address and/or password access.  
     
     
         130 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for providing an account level edit interface over the Internet of attempted and successful payment initiations for customer use with restricted access based on internet protocol address and/or password access.  
     
     
         131 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for integrating said reporting with conventional formats for daily reporting with reconciliation support.  
     
     
         132 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for sending payment remittance and reconciliation information to a backend financial information system.  
     
     
         133 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for managing non-sufficient funds check returns.  
     
     
         134 . A system according to  claim 40 , wherein said managing further comprises representment of returned check/ACH transactions.  
     
     
         135 . A system according to  claim 41 , wherein said check/ACH presentments are timed to target said user's automatic payroll deposit schedule.  
     
     
         136 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising recognizing duplicate transactions.  
     
     
         137 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for automatically apply service fees to said users where said service fees are authorized.  
     
     
         138 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for verifying the availability of funds to cover payments by checks and/or checking account debits.  
     
     
         139 . A system according to  claim 93 , said system comprising means for providing an advanced analytics framework to provide instantaneous data associations of multi-variate data structures within said database.