Patent ID: 6612487
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
A method of activating a prepaid account using an existing electronic funds transfer network, including a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, debit/credit card processing infrastructure and an account issuer authorization center, the method comprising the steps of:obtaining identification data concerning the account to be activated at the POS terminal; sending an activation request message, including the obtained data, from the POS terminal, through the card processing infrastructure to the account issuer authorization processing center; receiving the activation request message at the account issuer authorization processing center, deciding whether or not to activate the account and generating a denial/response code based upon the activation decision, the denial/response code not resulting in the transfer of any funds; sending the denial/response code from the account issuer authorization processing center through the card processing infrastructure to the POS terminal; and receiving the denial/response code at the POS terminal, decoding the denial/response code and confirming at the POS terminal, the activation status of the account.