Patent ID: 6404865
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A method for detecting fraudulent calling card calls placed from an originating international location to a domestic termination, said method comprising:a) receiving a calling card call placed from a domestic location at a switch capable of further routing a call to a desired international termination; b) routing the calling card call to a first level operator for verifying billing account information corresponding to said calling card, said first level operator performing one of: processing said calling card call upon successful verification of billing account information, and terminating said call otherwise; wherein terminating said call upon verification failure includes associating a locked intercept status flag enabling further intercept for calls placed with said calling card number, and c) upon receipt of subsequent calling card call attempts from originating international locations, default routing of said calls to a first level operator for verifying billing account information corresponding to said calling card, said first level operator performing one of: processing said calling card call upon successful verification of billing account information, and terminating said call otherwise, limiting a number of subsequent calling card call attempts from originating domestic locations to international terminations upon failure of verification of billing account information; and, routing said calling card call to a second level operator for verifying identity of the caller after a pre-determined number of calling card call attempts, wherein limiting a number of subsequent calling card call attempts from originating domestic locations to international terminations upon failure of verification of billing account information, wherein said routing of said call to said second level operator further includes setting a transfer flag indicating future calls to be directed to said second level operator.