Alias identity and reputation validation engine

Abstract

Methods and system for determining reputation information are provided. The method includes analyzing transactional and non-transactional information for an alias associated with an entity and determining reputation information for that alias. The reputation information is transferrable across multiple domains. A user can request the reputation information about an entity prior to doing business with that entity. The reputation information is generated for merchants as well as users. The system can generate transaction risk score for every transaction to be conducted between two or more aliases. The system includes an alias identity and reputation validation server computer that receives inputs from various external systems and generated reputation information based on the inputs. Additionally, every individual user/merchant can manage his profile within the reputation database and enter some information manually.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a reputation validation server computer, a request for providing reputation information about a first alias associated with an entity, the request being in connection with a transaction with the entity in a first marketplace, wherein the request includes transaction information and non-transaction information about the entity;   searching, by the reputation validation server computer, a database to locate reputation information for the first alias, wherein the database stores profiles associated with a plurality of aliases;   searching, by the reputation validation server computer, the database to check whether there is an additional alias whose profile matches with the transaction information and the non-transaction information of the entity;   associating, by the reputation validation server computer, the additional alias with the entity if the profile of the additional alias match with the transaction information and non-transaction information of the entity;   searching, by the reputation validation server computer, the database to locate reputation information for the additional aliases;   consolidating, by the reputation validation server computer, the reputation information for the additional aliases with the reputation information for the first alias; and   providing, by the reputation validation server computer, the consolidated reputation information.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the first alias is used in a first marketplace and the additional alias is used in a second marketplace by the entity to sell goods or services in the first marketplace and the second marketplace, respectively. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the reputation information includes one or more of a number of years in business, periodic revenue, number of repeat customer, refund policy and warranty information. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the profile includes information about one or more of a financial institution used by the entity to conduct business, a complain history of the entity, a server computer used by the entity, other aliases used by the entity, a location of the entity, a rating information of the entity and a transaction information about the entity. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the first alias is used in a first marketplace and the additional alias is used in a second marketplace by the entity to buy goods or services in the first marketplace and the second marketplace, respectively. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the profile includes information about one or more of a payment account of the entity, a mobile device of the entity, a computer used by the entity to conduct online transaction, a history of product return of the entity, a location of the entity and a household of the entity. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 receiving a request for providing reputation information about the second alias; and 
 providing the consolidated reputation information. 
 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 associating the consolidated reputation information with the first alias and the second alias. 
 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 providing the consolidated reputation information in the form of a reputation score, wherein the reputation score is generated based at least in part on transaction information and non-transaction information associated with the entity. 
 
     
     
         30 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a reputation validation server computer, information about a first alias associated with an entity;   calculating, by the reputation validation server computer, a first reputation score for the first alias based on the received information;   storing the received information along with the first reputation score in a database;   receiving, by the reputation validation server computer, a request for providing reputation information about a second alias in connection with a transaction, the request including information about the second alias;   comparing, by the reputation validation server computer, the information in the request with the stored information in the database;   determining, based on the comparing, that the second alias is associated with the entity; and   providing, by the reputation validation server computer, the first reputation score in response to the request.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the first alias is used in a first marketplace and the second alias is used in a second marketplace by the entity to buy or sell goods or services in the first marketplace and the second marketplace, respectively. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein both the first alias and the second alias are used in a same marketplace by the entity to buy or sell goods or services in the marketplace. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the received information includes information about one or more of a payment device, an account at a financial institution, a computer device used to conduct the transaction and a location of the computer device. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the information about the computer device includes one or more of an internet protocol (IP) address of the computer device, a hardware configuration of the computer device and a software application installed on the computer device. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the reputation score is generated based at least in part on transaction information and non-transaction information associated with the first alias. 
     
     
         36 . A reputation validation server computer comprising:
 a processor;   a memory storing a database and coupled to the processor, wherein the database stores profiles associated with a plurality of aliases; and   a network interface coupled to the processor and configured to communicate receive data from and send data to an external system,   wherein the processor is configured to:
 receive a request for providing reputation information about a first alias associated with an entity, the request being in connection with a transaction with the entity in a first marketplace, wherein the request includes transaction information and non-transaction information about the entity; 
 search the database to locate reputation information for the first alias; 
 search the database to check whether there is an additional alias whose profile matches with the transaction information and the non-transaction information of the entity; 
 associate the additional alias with the entity if the profile of the additional alias match with the transaction information and non-transaction information of the entity; 
 search the database to locate reputation information for the additional aliases; 
 consolidate the reputation information for the additional aliases with the reputation information for the first alias; and 
 provide the consolidated reputation information. 
   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the first alias is used in a first marketplace and the additional alias is used in a second marketplace by the entity to sell goods or services in the first marketplace and the second marketplace, respectively. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the first alias is used in a first marketplace and the additional alias is used in a second marketplace by the entity to buy goods or services in the first marketplace and the second marketplace, respectively. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the processor is configured to:
 associate the consolidated reputation information with the first alias and the second alias. 
 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the processor is configured to:
 provide the consolidated reputation information in the form of a reputation score, wherein the reputation score is generated based at least in part on transaction information and non-transaction information associated with the entity.