System and method for secure authentication of a subscriber of network services

Abstract

A system and method for electronically authenticating a subscriber account for a network service is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a subscriber account provider receives initial information from a subscriber. The received information is stored by the subscriber account provider. A transaction processing device is provided to the subscriber and the subscriber is electronically authenticated prior to enabling the subscriber account for performing the network service. In the preferred embodiment, the step of electronically authenticating the subscriber comprises receiving captured information from subscriber through said transaction processing device. After receiving the captured information the subscriber account provider utilizes the captured information to receive verifying information about the subscriber; and then compares the verifying information with the initial information to authenticate the subscriber.

1 . A method for electronic authentication of a subscriber requesting a subscriber account for providing a network service, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a transaction processing device to said subscriber;    receiving initial information from said subscriber, wherein said initial information is received by a provider of said subscriber account;    storing said received information in a database associated with said provider of said subscriber account;    receiving captured information from said subscriber through said transaction processing device securely via a public network;    utilizing said captured information to receive verifying information about said subscriber;    comparing said verifying information with said initial information by said provider of said subscriber account to authenticate said subscriber; and    enabling said subscriber account for performing said network service.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transaction processing device is provided to said subscriber by mail.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subscriber purchases said transaction processing device from a retail location.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said initial information is received from said subscriber through said transaction processing device.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transaction processing device is a point-of-sale electronic terminal.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said provider of said subscriber account is a payment processor.  
     
     
         7 . A method for activating a subscriber account for providing a network service, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an application from a subscriber for a subscriber account;    performing due diligence on said received application based in part on said received application;    providing a transaction processing device to said subscriber to provide said network service upon completion of said step of performing due diligence; and    electronically verifying that an individual activating said subscriber account via said transaction processing device is authorized to activate said subscriber account.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said network service is a payment processing service.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said transaction processing device is a point-of-sale terminal.  
     
     
         10 . A method for activating a subscriber account for providing a network service, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a transaction processing device to a subscriber, wherein said subscriber provides a network service;    receiving an application from said subscriber for a subscriber account;    receiving information from an individual through said transaction processing device to activate said subscriber account; and    electronically verifying that said individual activating said subscriber account is authorized to activate said subscriber account.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 performing due diligence on said received application based in part on said received application prior to receiving said information from said individual through said transaction processing device.