Contactless transaction

Abstract

A method associated with a contactless phone. The method includes sending a balance inquiry response message to a mobile phone. The mobile phone includes a contactless element that is configured to communicate with a contactless reader in a point of sale terminal. The account balance inquiry response message provides an account balance for an account associated with the mobile phone. The mobile phone is operated by a consumer. The method also includes sending a transaction alert message to the mobile phone, where the transaction alert message informs the consumer that a transaction has occurred using the account. The method also includes sending an offer message to the mobile phone, where the offer message provides a benefit to the consumer if the consumer uses the mobile phone to conduct a predetermined transaction.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a mobile device with respect to an account associated with the mobile device, a balance alert threshold from a user;   transmitting, by the mobile device to a computer, a balance alert configuration request including the balance alert threshold;   receiving, by the mobile device from the computer, a balance alert message indicating that an account balance associated with the account has fallen below the balance alert threshold, wherein the balance alert message provides an account balance for the account associated with the mobile device;   receiving, by the mobile device with respect to the account associated with the mobile device, a transaction alert threshold from the user;   transmitting, by the mobile device to the computer, a transaction alert configuration request including the transaction alert threshold;   receiving, by the mobile device from the computer, a transaction alert message indicating that a transaction conducted with respect to the account has exceeded the transaction alert threshold, wherein the transaction alert message indicates that the conducted transaction has occurred using the account;   receiving, by the mobile device from the user with respect to the account associated with the mobile device, a request to receive offers;   transmitting, by the mobile device to the computer, an offer registration request; and   receiving, by the mobile device from the computer, an offer message indicating a benefit that will be provided to the account if the mobile device is used to conduct a predetermined transaction, the offer message displayed on a display of the mobile device prior to initiation of a new transaction via the mobile device.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the mobile device with respect to the account associated with the mobile device, a request for a payment reminder from the user;   transmitting, by the mobile device to the computer, a payment reminder configuration request including the requested payment reminder;   receiving, by the mobile device from the computer, the payment reminder indicating that a payment associated with the account is due.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the request for a payment reminder includes an amount of time, and wherein the payment reminder is received the amount of time prior to the payment associated with the account being due. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising receiving a risk alert message, wherein the risk alert message indicates suspicious activity relating to the account and that the account is blocked. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the account is associated with the mobile device via a phone number of the mobile device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein associating the account with the phone number of the mobile device further includes registering a consumer payment account number with a mobile operator, wherein the mobile operator links the consumer payment account number to the mobile device number. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the offer message is generated by an offer engine configured to allow a merchant or issuer to define an offer including the benefit that will be provided to the account. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the account balance alert message is received via a Short Message Service (SMS) text message. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the transaction alert message is received via a Short Message Service (SMS) text message. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the method is performed by a mobile application installed upon the mobile device. 
     
     
         30 . A mobile device, comprising:
 a contactless element;   a processor; and   a memory including instructions that, when executed with the processor, cause the mobile device to, at least:
 receive, with respect to an account associated with the mobile device, a balance alert threshold from a user; 
 transmit, to a computer, a balance alert configuration request including the balance alert threshold; 
 receive, from the computer, a balance alert message indicating that an account balance associated with the account has fallen below the balance alert threshold, wherein the balance alert message provides an account balance for the account associated with the mobile device; 
 receive, with respect to the account associated with the mobile device, a transaction alert threshold from the user; 
 transmit, to the computer, a transaction alert configuration request including the transaction alert threshold; 
 receive, from the computer, a transaction alert message indicating that a transaction conducted with respect to the account has exceeded the transaction alert threshold, wherein the transaction alert message indicates that the conducted transaction has occurred using the account; 
 receive, from the user with respect to the account associated with the mobile device, a request to receive offers; 
 transmit, to the computer, an offer registration request; and 
 receive, from the computer, an offer message indicating a benefit that will be provided to the account if the mobile device is used to conduct a predetermined transaction, the offer message displayed on a display of the mobile device prior to initiation of a new transaction via the mobile device. 
   
     
     
         31 . The mobile device of  claim 30 , wherein the instructions further cause the mobile device to:
 receive, with respect to the account associated with the mobile device, a request for a payment reminder from the user;   transmit, to the computer, a payment reminder configuration request including the requested payment reminder;   receive, from the computer, the payment reminder indicating that a payment associated with the account is due.   
     
     
         32 . The mobile device of  claim 30 , wherein the request for a payment reminder includes an amount of time, and wherein the payment reminder is received the amount of time prior to the payment associated with the account being due. 
     
     
         33 . The mobile device of  claim 30 , wherein the instructions further cause the mobile device to receive a risk alert message, wherein the risk alert message indicates suspicious activity relating to the account and that the account is blocked. 
     
     
         34 . The mobile device of  claim 30 , wherein the account is associated with the mobile device via a phone number of the mobile device. 
     
     
         35 . The mobile device of  claim 34 , wherein associating the account with the phone number of the mobile device further includes registering a consumer payment account number with a mobile operator, wherein the mobile operator links the consumer payment account number to the mobile device number. 
     
     
         36 . The mobile device of  claim 30 , wherein the offer message is generated by an offer engine configured to allow a merchant or issuer to define an offer including the benefit that will be provided to the account. 
     
     
         37 . The mobile device of  claim 30 , wherein the account balance alert message is received via a Short Message Service (SMS) text message. 
     
     
         38 . The mobile device of  claim 30 , wherein the transaction alert message is received via a Short Message Service (SMS) text message. 
     
     
         39 . The mobile device of  claim 30 , wherein the method is performed by a mobile application installed upon the mobile device.