System and method for preventing fraud in check orders

Abstract

A system and method for processing paper check orders. The system comprises client storage capable of storing client information including data from previous paper check orders, suspect check order storage capable of storing suspicious order information including data associated with previous improper check orders, an order entry system for inputting order information having order parameters, and a programmable scoring system in communication with the client storage and the suspect order storage. The scoring system is capable of applying scoring rules to score paper check orders and the scoring rules are programmably adjustable for variable weights to the order parameters. The programmable scoring system is capable of comparing input order information to the client information and the suspicious order information and producing a score according to the scoring rules to determine check orders that require further investigation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for screening check orders, comprising: 
 client storage capable of storing client information including data from previous paper check orders;    suspect check order storage capable of storing suspicious order information including data associated with previous improper check orders;    an order entry system for inputting order information, the order information having order parameters; and    a programmable scoring system in communication with the client storage and the suspect order storage and capable of applying scoring rules to score paper check orders, the scoring rules programmably adjustable for variable weights to the order parameters, wherein the programmable scoring system is capable of comparing input order information to the client information and the suspicious order information and producing a score according to the scoring rules to determine check orders that require further investigation.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , the programmable scoring system further including threshold value storage such that the score is compared to a threshold value, the check order identified for further investigation if the score exceeds the threshold value.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the suspect order storage includes zip codes.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the suspect order storage further includes addresses.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the suspect order storage further includes phone numbers.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the suspect order storage further includes checking account numbers.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein suspect order storage further includes names.  
     
     
         8 . The system for screening check orders of  claim 1 , wherein the system further includes financial institution information storage capable of storing information associated with newly opened accounts.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the order entry system includes an input means to accept input from an ordering agent to flag a check order as requiring further investigation.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable scoring further includes feedback from past suspicious orders to programmably adjust the scoring rules.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scoring rules are programmably adjusted for a particular financial institution.  
     
     
         12 . A method of screening paper check orders using client information and suspicious order information comprising: 
 inputting paper check order information, the order information having order parameters;    applying adjustable weights to each of the order parameters; and    applying scoring rules to score paper check orders, including: 
 comparing the order information to the client information and the suspicious order information;  
 producing a score according to the scoring rules; and  
 identifying check orders that require further investigation according to the produced score.  
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further includes comparing the produced score against a predetermined threshold value, and wherein the identifying check orders that require further investigation according to the produced score includes the produced score exceeding the predetermined threshold value.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein producing a score includes increasing the score if the incoming order parameter matches a parameter in order information that resulted in a suspicious order and reducing the score if the incoming order parameter matches order information that resulted in a successful order.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein applying adjustable weights includes adjusting the weights according to a presence of a check order parameter.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined threshold value is predetermined in part by the presence of a check order parameter.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the check order parameter includes an ordering channel used to place the order.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the check order parameter includes a marketing channel used to reach the customer.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the check order parameter includes whether the incoming order is a new order or a re-order.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the suspicious order information includes checking account numbers.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the suspicious order information further includes phone numbers.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the suspicious order information further includes zip codes.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the suspicious order information further includes addresses.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the suspicious order information further includes names.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inputting check order information further includes accepting input from an ordering agent to flag a check order as requiring further investigation.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the order parameters are order parameters requested by a customer including a type of check product ordered.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the order parameters requested by the customer further include a check order quantity.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the order parameters requested by the customer further include a check order starting number.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the order parameters requested by the customer further include a change in the check imprint between orders.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the order parameters requested by the customer further include a request for a check imprint that lacks an address.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the order parameters requested by the customer further include a number of orders originating from a customer falling outside of a predetermined range of order numbers within a predetermined time period.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the order parameters requested by the customer further include order shipping information.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the order shipping information further includes a shipping zip code.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the order shipping information further includes a shipping address.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the order shipping information further includes a shipping method.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein inputting the order information having order parameters includes capturing the order information from a telephone ordering channel.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the order parameters include an incoming phone number.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the order parameters further include a number of orders originating from the phone number falling outside of a predetermined range of order numbers within a predetermined time period.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the order parameters further include a number of customers related to the phone number falling outside of a predetermined range of a number of customers within a predetermined time period.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the order parameters further include whether a caller's identification is captured on an incoming call.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the order parameters further include whether an incoming phone number matches a number in a customer phone number master file.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the incoming phone number is a pay phone number.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the order parameters further include whether an incoming phone number matches a number in a financial institution phone number master file.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the order parameters further include whether an incoming phone number matches a customer or company name and address given by a caller when verifying the phone number by automated directory assistance.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the order parameters further include whether an incoming phone number matches a customer or company name and address given by a caller includes looking up the number in a change of address database.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein identifying check orders that require further investigation according to the produced score includes adjusting the weights for the scoring rules for the order parameters.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the identifying check orders that require further investigation according to the produced score further includes passing the check order if the produced score does not exceed the predetermined threshold value.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the identifying check orders that require further investigation according to the produced score further includes canceling the check order if the produced score exceeds the predetermined threshold value.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein identifying check orders that require further investigation includes notifying a bank where a checking account resides that the check order was identified for further investigation if the produced score exceeds the predetermined threshold value.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein identifying check orders that require further investigation includes sending an e-mail notification to a customer and not processing the check order until a return e-mail is received from the customer if the produced score exceeds the predetermined threshold value.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein identifying check orders that require further investigation includes sending an e-mail notification to a financial institution and not processing the check order until a return e-mail is received from the financial institution if the produced score exceeds the predetermined threshold value.  
     
     
         52 . A method for identifying paper check orders as needing further investigation comprising: 
 assigning weighted scores as a result of monitoring parameters of the check orders, where the monitoring includes: 
 monitoring the check order information for matches to suspicious order information, wherein the suspicious order information includes at least one of: 
 addresses;  
 names;  
 phone numbers; and  
 checking account numbers;  
 
 monitoring the check order information for matches to client information, wherein the client information includes previous order information;  
 monitoring check order parameters against expected ranges of the parameters, wherein the check order parameters include a check order starting number;  
 monitoring an incoming order for a capture of the caller's identification if the order is placed by phone;  
 monitoring an incoming order for a change in all, or a part, of the information on the imprint of the check, wherein the information includes: 
 an address; and  
 a customer name; and  
 
   adjusting weights for the scores based on outcomes of the further investigation.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the monitoring check order parameters against expected ranges includes comparing a quantity of checks ordered by a customer against a quantity of checks used by the customer within a previous time frame.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein monitoring the incoming order for a change in the information on the imprint of the check includes comparing the imprint address to a shipping address.  
     
     
         55 . A method of generating a paper check order for a previous check order customer comprising: 
 monitoring a quantity of checks used for a customer's account;    applying a rule based standard to information associated with the customer's account when a remaining quantity of checks is within a predetermined number of checks of the last check in the previous order; and    automatically generating a check order for the customer's account if applying the rule based standard passes the customer's account.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein applying a rule based standard includes: 
 producing a score for the customer's account based on scoring of previous client information; and    processing the customer's account if the score is less than a predetermined threshold value.    
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the method further includes identifying the customer's account as needing further investigation if the score exceeds the predetermined threshold amount.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the method further includes generating a quantity of checks in a check order based on a time frame in which a previous order of checks was used.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the method further includes sending an e-mail notification of the check order to the customer and not processing the generated order until confirmation e-mail is received from the customer.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the method further includes not processing the check order until the customer provides a password.