System for resolving transactions

Abstract

An apparatus for resolving a debt transaction is provided. The apparatus includes a server having means for contacting the debtor by transmitting a communication to the debtor using one of a number of available communication channels, a credit information seeking module configured to obtain debtor debt account information from a financial information source other than the server and the debtor, and a rules based decision module configured to analyze debtor debt account information in order to determine a potential resolution strategy for the debt transaction comprising at least one transaction settlement offer based on creditworthiness of the debtor based on rules established by the creditor. The server is configured to provide the debtor with the at least one transaction settlement offer, and the server is further configured to attempt to obtain agreement from the debtor to settle the debt transaction based on the at least one transaction settlement offer and process at least a portion of a payment by the debtor in settlement of the debt transaction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for resolving a debt transaction representing an amount of money owed by a debtor to a creditor, the apparatus comprising:
 a server arrangement comprising:
 means for transmitting a communication to the debtor using one of a number of available communication channels inviting the debtor to contact the server arrangement for the purpose of attempting to resolve the debt transaction; 
 a credit information seeking module configured to obtain debtor debt account information from a financial information source other than the server arrangement and the debtor in response to the debtor contacting the server arrangement; 
 a rules based decision module configured to employ only extracted data identified as pertinent to the debtor from obtained debtor debt account information, the extracted data extracted in accordance with rules established by the creditor available to the rules based decision module, and analyze the extracted data in order to determine a potential resolution strategy for the debt transaction comprising a plurality of individualized transaction settlement offers based on creditworthiness of the debtor, wherein creditworthiness of the debtor comprises a calculated ability for the debtor to repay at least a portion of the debt transaction based on the extracted data identified as pertinent; and 
   a memory configured to maintain information related to the debt transaction and the rules employed by the rules based decision module;   wherein the server arrangement is configured to attempt to obtain agreement from the debtor to settle the debt transaction using the plurality of individualized transaction settlement offers and process at least a portion of a payment by the debtor in settlement of the debt transaction.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said credit information seeking module seeks personal credit information from a credit bureau by obtaining a credit report of the debtor from the credit bureau. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the server arrangement further comprises a parsing module configured to receive debtor debt account information and parse pertinent information from the debtor debt account information to produce the extracted data. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the server arrangement further comprises a payment processing module configured to process at least a portion of a payment from the debtor once the debtor agrees to settle the debt transaction. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the server arrangement further comprises a portfolio management module configured to manage a portfolio comprising a plurality of debts based on actions taken by multiple users and aspects associated with the portfolio. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the decision module relies on at least one dictionary employed to translate received information into information used within the server arrangement. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the server arrangement is further configured to provide a transaction settlement offer set comprising at least two simultaneously presented selectable monetary offers of settlement formed according to the rules. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the available communication channel comprises one of:
 a telephone communication channel;   a mail communication channel; and   an electronic communication channel.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for resolving a debt transaction representing an amount of money owed by a debtor to a creditor, the apparatus comprising:
 a server arrangement comprising:
 a credit information seeking module configured to obtain debtor debt account information from a financial information source other than the server arrangement and the debtor in response to the debtor contacting the server arrangement; 
 a decision module configured to:
 employ only extracted data identified as pertinent from obtained debtor debt account information, the extracted data extracted in accordance with a set of rules established by the creditor; and 
 process the extracted data identified as pertinent to determine a potential resolution strategy for the debt transaction; and 
 
 means for contacting the debtor by transmitting a communication to the debtor inviting the debtor to contact the server arrangement for the purpose of resolving the debt transaction using one of a number of available communication channels; and 
   a memory configured to maintain information related to the debt transaction and the set of rules established by the creditor;   wherein the server arrangement is configured to offer the debtor a plurality of payment options individualized for the debtor determined based on the extracted data, and the server arrangement is further configured to attempt to obtain agreement from the debtor to settle the debt transaction and process at least a portion of a payment by the debtor in settlement of the debt transaction.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said credit information seeking module seeks personal credit information from a credit bureau by obtaining a credit report for the debtor from the credit bureau. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the server arrangement further comprises a parsing module configured to receive debtor debt account information and parse pertinent information from the debtor debt account information to produce the extracted data. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the server arrangement further comprises a payment processing module configured to process at least a portion of a payment from the debtor once the debtor agrees to settle the debt transaction. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the server arrangement further comprises a portfolio management module configured to manage a portfolio comprising a plurality of debts based on actions taken by multiple users and aspects associated with the portfolio. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the decision module relies on at least one dictionary employed to translate received information into information used within the server arrangement. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the server arrangement is further configured to provide a transaction settlement offer set comprising at least two simultaneously presented selectable monetary offers of settlement formed according to the rules. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the server arrangement is further configured to provide the transaction settlement offer set with an incentive to the debtor to resolve the debt by communications with the server arrangement. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the server arrangement is further configured to provide an alternative settlement offer set that differs from the transaction settlement offer set. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the available communication channel comprises one of:
 a telephone communication channel;   a mail communication channel; and   an electronic communication channel.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for resolving a debt transaction representing an amount of money owed by a debtor to a creditor, the apparatus comprising:
 a server arrangement comprising:
 a communications module configured to transmit a communication inviting the debtor to contact the server arrangement for the purpose of attempting to resolve the debt transaction using one of a number of available communication channels; 
 a credit information seeking module configured to obtain credit history information for the debtor in response to the debtor contacting the server arrangement; and 
 a rules based engine configured to employ only extracted data identified as pertinent from obtained debtor debt account information, the extracted data extracted in accordance with rules established by the creditor, and determine a plurality of individualized transaction settlement offers depending on creditworthiness of the debtor, wherein creditworthiness of the debtor comprises a calculated ability of the debtor to repay at least a portion of the debt transaction based on the extracted data identified as pertinent; and 
   a memory configured to maintain information related to the debt transaction and the rules employed by the rules based engine;   wherein the server arrangement is configured to provide the plurality of individualized transaction settlement offers to direct the debtor to a resolution of the transaction based on the rules and the creditworthiness of the debtor.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said credit information seeking module seeks personal credit information from a credit bureau by obtaining a credit report of the debtor from the credit bureau.