Credit and Transaction Systems

Abstract

A system has an Internet-connected server having a processor executing software from a non-transitory medium, the software providing a procedure accessing information regarding a particular person from a social network site, and calculating a credit risk score for the particular person based at least in part on the information accessed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an Internet-connected server having a processor executing software from a non-transitory medium, the software providing a procedure:   accessing information regarding a particular person from a social network site; and   calculating a credit risk score for the particular person based at least in part on the information accessed.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system uses the credit risk score to determine one or both of a ceiling amount and a loan period in providing credit to the particular person for whom the credit risk score was determined. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the credit risk score is provided by a host of the system to a separate enterprise, which uses the credit risk score to determine one or both of a ceiling amount and a loan period in providing credit to the particular person for whom the credit risk score was determined. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a host of the system stores credit information for a plurality of individuals, and wherein information accessed comprises one or both of direct and indirect connections maintained by the particular person in the social network, and the system checks for credit scores of the persons represented by the direct and indirect connections, and uses those credit scores in determining or adjusting the credit risk score for the particular person. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein information accessed comprises one or both of direct and indirect connections maintained by the particular person in the social network, and the system checks the nature of one or more of the connections, including one or more of strength of connection, duration of connections, and any accessible attributes regarding connected persons, and uses the determined nature of the connections in determining or adjusting the credit risk score for the particular person. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein information accessed comprises one or both of direct and indirect connections maintained by the particular person in the social network, and wherein a host of the system contacts one or more individuals represented in the connections with q request concerning the credit worthiness of the particular person. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a social graph is created and maintained for the particular person and stored in the system, the social graph comprising number of connections, number of friends, strength of connections, duration of connections, and attributes of persons represented by connections. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein social graphs are provided to separate enterprises on request. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising steps:
 accessing information regarding a particular person from a social network site by an Internet-connected server having a processor executing software from a non-transitory medium; and   calculating a credit risk score for the particular person based at least in part on the information accessed.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the system uses the credit risk score to determine one or both of a ceiling amount and a loan period in providing credit to the particular person for whom the credit risk score was determined. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the credit risk score is provided by a host of the system to a separate enterprise, which uses the credit risk score to determine one or both of a ceiling amount and a loan period in providing credit to the particular person for whom the credit risk score was determined. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a host of the system stores credit information for a plurality of individuals, and wherein information accessed comprises one or both of direct and indirect connections maintained by the particular person in the social network, and the system checks for credit scores of the persons represented by the direct and indirect connections, and uses those credit scores in determining or adjusting the credit risk score for the particular person. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein information accessed comprises one or both of direct and indirect connections maintained by the particular person in the social network, and the system checks the nature of one or more of the connections, including one or more of strength of connection, duration of connections, and any accessible attributes regarding connected persons, and uses the determined nature of the connections in determining or adjusting the credit risk score for the particular person. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein information accessed comprises one or both of direct and indirect connections maintained by the particular person in the social network, and wherein a host of the system contacts one or more individuals represented in the connections with q request concerning the credit worthiness of the particular person. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a social graph is created and maintained for the particular person and stored in the system, the social graph comprising number of connections, number of friends, strength of connections, duration of connections, and attributes of persons represented by connections. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein social graphs are provided to separate enterprises on request.