Methods and systems for determining the reliability of transactions

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining a reliability of a transaction involving an account identifier identifying a chargeable account are disclosed. An account identifier identifying a chargeable account is received at a data receiving unit of a verification system. Then a reliability indicator of at least one stored personal detail associated with the chargeable account is determined, the at least one stored personal detail usable to verify at least one candidate personal detail. Then the reliability indicator is caused to be used to verify identity of a user.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving an account identifier identifying a chargeable account, at a data receiving unit of a verification system;   determining, using one or more processors, a reliability indicator of at least one stored personal detail associated with the chargeable account, the at least one stored personal detail usable to verify at least one candidate personal detail; and   causing the reliability indicator to be used to verify identity of a user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reliability indicator is based on an age of the at least one stored personal detail in a database. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stored personal detail was previously verified according to a verification procedure, and the reliability indicator is based on a type of verification procedure used to verify the at least one personal detail. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reliability indicator is based on a degree of personal exposure of a user submitting the at least one stored personal detail. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chargeable account is an account assigned to an entity that permits purchases to be accomplished via deduction of units that are recognized as exchangeable for goods or services. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the units are a legally recognized currency. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the units are points usable to make purchases via an Internet service. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the chargeable account is a credit card account. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the chargeable account is an account permitting users to make purchases via a linked credit card, debit card, and/or checking account. 
     
     
         10 . A verification system, comprising:
 a data receiving unit executable by a processor and configured to receive an account identifier identifying a chargeable account;   a database;   a reliability indicator provider configured to determine a reliability indicator of at least one personal detail stored in the database and associated with the chargeable account, the at least one personal detail usable to verify at least one candidate personal detail; and   a data output unit configured to cause the reliability indicator to be used to verify identity of a user.   
     
     
         11 . The verification system of  claim 10 , wherein the data output unit is configured to send the reliability indicator to a seller of a good or service to be used in a determination of whether to proceed with a transaction with the entity associated with the chargeable account. 
     
     
         12 . The verification system of  claim 10 , wherein the verification system is part of a service that operates the chargeable account. 
     
     
         13 . The verification system of  claim 10 , wherein the verification system is operated by a system different that the system that operates the chargeable account. 
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising: receiving an account identifier identifying a chargeable account, at a data receiving unit of a verification system;
 determining, using one or more processors, a reliability indicator of at least one stored personal detail associated with the chargeable account, the at least one stored personal detail usable to verify at least one candidate personal detail; and   causing the reliability indicator to be used to verify identity of a user.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the reliability indicator is based on an age of the at least one stored personal detail in a database. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one stored personal detail was previously verified according to a verification procedure, and the reliability indicator is based on a type of verification procedure used to verify the at least one personal detail. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the reliability indicator is based on a degree of personal exposure of a user submitting the at least one stored personal detail. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the chargeable account is an account assigned to an entity that permits purchases to be accomplished via deduction of units that are recognized as exchangeable for goods or services. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 18 , wherein the units are a legally recognized currency. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 18 , wherein the units are points usable to make purchases via an Internet service.