Seller verification of a request to sell an exchange item in an exchange item marketplace network

Abstract

A method begins by a server of an exchange item marketplace network receiving, from a seller computing device, a request to sell an exchange item. The method continues by obtaining seller information regarding one or more of the seller computing device and a seller associated with the seller computing device. The method continues by selecting a seller verification approach based on one or more of a predetermined approach, an approach associated with the seller computing device, and an approach corresponding to a risk level associated with one or more of the seller and the seller computing device. The method continues by verifying the seller information in accordance with the selected seller verification approach to produce a seller verification status. When the seller verification status is favorable, the method continues by verifying information regarding the exchange item and when the verifying is favorable, adding the exchange item to a virtual marketplace.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for execution by one or more marketplace servers of an exchange item marketplace network, the method comprises:
 receiving, from a seller computing device, a request to sell an exchange item in a virtual marketplace of the exchange item marketplace network, wherein the exchange item is associated with information that includes a value of the exchange item and identifying data regarding the exchange item;   obtaining seller information regarding one or more of the seller computing device and a seller associated with the seller computing device;   selecting a seller verification approach from a plurality of seller verification approaches based on one or more of a predetermined approach, an approach associated with the seller computing device, and an approach based on a risk level associated with one or more of the seller and the seller computing device;   verifying the seller information in accordance with the selected seller verification approach to produce a seller verification status; and   when the seller verification status is favorable:
 verifying the information regarding the exchange item; and 
 when the verifying the information is favorable, adding the exchange item to the virtual marketplace. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adding the exchange item further comprises:
 determining a selling price for the exchange item;   generating a digital representation of the exchange item, wherein the digital representation includes one or more of an image of the exchange item, the type of the exchange item, the value of the exchange item and the identifying data regarding the exchange item; and   adding the digital representation of the exchange item to the virtual marketplace, wherein the adding includes associating the selling price with the digital representation.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seller verification approach comprises one or more of:
 verifying a street address;   verifying an associated account activity history;   verifying seller payment information; and   verifying that a history of a web browser associated with the seller compares favorably to one or more of a predetermined browser profile and a historical profile for the seller's computing device.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the seller verification approach is based on the risk level, the selecting comprises:
 determining the risk level based on one or more of a seller identity, a brand associated with the exchange item, and an account activity history associated with the seller computing device; and   mapping the risk level to a corresponding approach of the plurality of seller verification approaches.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the verifying the information regarding the exchange item comprises:
 determining one or more of a brand identifier of the exchange item, an exchange item type indicator, a value of the exchange item, a serial number of the exchange item and a format of the serial number;   determining whether the one or more of the brand identifier, the exchange item type indicator, the value, the serial number and the format is valid; and   when valid, indicating the verification of the information regarding the exchange item is favorable.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information regarding the exchange item further comprises:
 an exchange item type;   a bar code;   restrictions of use;   expiration date;   a serial number as the identifying data;   a brand identifier; and   a sales price.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seller verification status comprises one of:
 an approved seller status;   a disapproved seller status; and   a conditional approval status, wherein the conditional approval status indicates the seller is approved for selling exchange items in the virtual marketplace that are associated with a particular brand and a particular balance range.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the verifying the seller information comprises:
 determining whether one or more of user information associated with the seller computing device and device information of the seller's computing device is valid; and   when valid, indicating the verification of the seller information is favorable.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the user information includes:
 a seller virtual account balance within the marketplace network;   a seller record of exchange item purchases;   a seller name;   a seller street address;   a seller browser history;   a seller account;   a seller account activity history;   a seller personal identification number (PIN);   a seller marketplace identifier (ID); and   seller payment account information.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the device information includes:
 a marketplace application identifier (ID);   an internet protocol (IP) address of the seller computing device;   a seller computing device browser history;   a serial number of the seller computing device; and   application information associated with the seller computing device.   
     
     
         11 . A server of an exchange item marketplace network comprises:
 memory;   an interface; and   a processing module operably coupled to the memory and the interface, wherein the processing module is operable to:   receive, via the interface from a seller computing device, a request to sell an exchange item in a virtual marketplace of the exchange item marketplace network, wherein the exchange item is associated with information that includes a value of the exchange item and identifying data regarding the exchange item;   obtain seller information regarding one or more of the seller computing device and a seller associated with the seller computing device;   select a seller verification approach from a plurality of seller verification approaches based on one or more of a predetermined approach, an approach associated with the seller computing device, and an approach based on a risk level associated with one or more of the seller and the seller computing device;   verify the seller information in accordance with the selected seller verification approach to produce a seller verification status; and   when the seller verification status is favorable:
 verify the information regarding the exchange item; and 
 when the verifying the information is favorable, add the exchange item to the virtual marketplace. 
   
     
     
         12 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the processing module is further operable to add the exchange item by:
 determining a selling price for the exchange item;   generating a digital representation of the exchange item, wherein the digital representation includes one or more of an image of the exchange item, the type of the exchange item, the value of the exchange item and the identifying data regarding the exchange item; and   adding the digital representation of the exchange item to the virtual marketplace, wherein the adding includes associating the selling price with the digital representation.   
     
     
         13 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the seller verification approach comprises the processing module performing one or more of:
 verifying a street address;   verifying an associated account activity history;   verifying seller payment information; and   verifying that a history of a web browser associated with the seller compares favorably to one or more of a predetermined browser profile and a historical profile for the seller's computing device.   
     
     
         14 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein when the seller verification approach is based on the risk level, the processing module is operable to perform the selecting by:
 determining the risk level based on one or more of a seller identity, a brand associated with the exchange item, and an account activity history associated with the seller computing device; and   mapping the risk level to a corresponding approach of the plurality of seller verification approaches.   
     
     
         15 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the processing module is operable to verify the information regarding the exchange item by:
 determining one or more of a brand identifier of the exchange item, an exchange item type indicator, a value of the exchange item, a serial number of the exchange item and a format of the serial number;   determining whether the one or more of the brand identifier, the exchange item type indicator, the value, the serial number and the format is valid; and   when valid, indicating the verification of the information regarding the exchange item is favorable.   
     
     
         16 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the information regarding the exchange item further comprises:
 an exchange item type;   a bar code;   restrictions of use;   expiration date;   a serial number as the identifying data;   a brand identifier; and   a sales price.   
     
     
         17 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the seller verification status comprises one of:
 an approved seller status;   a disapproved seller status; and   a conditional approval status, wherein the conditional approval status indicates the seller is approved for selling exchange items in the virtual marketplace that are associated with a particular brand and a particular balance range.   
     
     
         18 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the processing module is operable to verify the seller information by:
 determining whether one or more of user information associated with the seller computing device and device information of the seller's computing device is valid; and   when valid, indicating the verification of the seller information is favorable.   
     
     
         19 . The server of  claim 18 , wherein the user information includes:
 a seller virtual account balance within the marketplace network;   a seller record of exchange item purchases;   a seller name;   a seller street address;   a seller browser history;   a seller account;   a seller account activity history;   a seller personal identification number (PIN);   a seller marketplace identifier (ID); and   seller payment account information.   
     
     
         20 . The server of  claim 18 , wherein the device information includes:
 a marketplace application identifier (ID);   an internet protocol (IP) address of the seller computing device;   a seller computing device browser history;   a serial number of the seller computing device; and   application information associated with the seller computing device.