Patent ID: 9197648
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for verifying the identity of an Internet user, the method comprising the steps of: implementing a central computing system configured for receiving and processing data related to a user basic information in order to verify the identity of the user; utilizing a computing device in communication with the central computing system to set up a user account; configuring a database server in communication with the central computing system for storing the user account and user basic information; providing the central computing system with the user's basic information, including an email address belonging to the user; validating, by said central computing system, the user's email address; sending, by said central computing system, a follow-up email containing a click on unique hyperlink to the email address belonging to the user; determining whether the hyperlink is clicked on by the user within a predetermined period of time; redirecting the user to a secure verification webpage hosted by the computing system upon determining the hyperlink is clicked on within said predetermined period of time; obtaining, at said secure verification webpage, the user's name, address and last four digits of their social security number upon determining said hyperlink is clicked on within said predetermined period of time; gathering additional information related to the user from at least a plurality of external consumer records databases, wherein said gathering step is configured to provide additional information privy to the user of stored additional information in said plurality of external consumer records database, in which the additional information comprising privy information known only to the user; storing the gathered additional information related to the user in an at least one internal consumer records database in communication with the central computing system; searching the at least one internal consumer records database in communication with the computing system for the stored additional information of the user, presenting the user with an at least one identity verification question based on the additional information gathered from the at least one internal consumer records database, wherein the at least one identity verification question comprising at least one diversional question not related to the user and at least one true question based on the additional information known only to the user; assigning a verified status to the user's account upon the user correctly answering a predetermined percentage of the at least one identity verification question sending a certificate to the user confirming the verified status of the user's account; and sending a notification to the vendor of the verified status of the user's account, thereby, the vendor have a reliable proof that the user initiated or approved of at least one of single transaction and multiple transactions.