Abstract:
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for providing customer service to a consumer of a credit product. The method includes receiving a service request from a consumer and performing an automated security check in response to the service request. The service request is processed in real time upon satisfying the security check and a database is updated in real time upon completion of said service request.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 60/252,095, filed Nov. 20, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to a method and system for providing customer service and in particular to a method and system for providing on-line, real time customer service for a credit card account. Many credit card providers provide for on-line customer service through which a customer uses a network (e.g., the Internet) to contact a customer service system to submit a service request. The service request may include changing the address associated with an account, requesting a change in credit limit, reporting a card lost, etc. In conventional systems, the service request from the customer is placed in an e-mail queue and is distributed to customer service personnel via electronic techniques. The customer service personnel then effectuate the service request (e.g. change of address requested by the customer). This may require 2-3 days until customer service personnel receive the service request entered in the e-mail queue. Thus, there is a lack of real-time implementation of the service request submitted by the consumer.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY  
         [0003]    An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for providing customer service to a consumer of a credit product. The method includes receiving a service request from a consumer and performing an automated security check in response to the service request. The service request is processed in real time upon satisfying the security check and a database is updated in real time upon completion of said service request.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    [0004]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a customer service system in one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary user interface.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of the system operation. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a customer service system in one embodiment of the invention. The system includes one or more consumer systems  2  coupled to a host system  10  via a network  6 . Each consumer system  2  may be implemented using a general-purpose computer executing a computer program for carrying out the processes described herein. The network  6  may be any type of known network including a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), global network (e.g., Internet), intranet, extranet, etc. The consumer systems  2  may be coupled to the host system  10  through multiple networks (e.g., intranet and Internet) so that not all consumer systems  2  are coupled to the host system  10  via the same network. One or both of the consumer systems  2  and the host system  10  may be connected to the network  6  in a wireless fashion and network  6  may be a wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, the network  6  is the Internet and consumer system  2  executes a user interface application (e.g., web browser) to contact the host system  10  through the network  6 . Alternatively, a consumer system  2  may be implemented using a device programmed primarily for accessing network  6  such as WebTV or a network computer.  
         [0008]    The host system  10  includes a processor, such as a server  4  operating in response to a computer program stored in a storage medium accessible by the server. The server  4  may operate as a network server (often referred to as a web server) to communicate with the consumer systems  2 . The server  4  handles sending and receiving information to and from consumer systems  2  and can perform associated tasks. The server  4  may also include a firewall to prevent unauthorized access to the host system  10  and enforce any limitations on authorized access. The firewall may be implemented using conventional hardware and/or software as is known in the art.  
         [0009]    The server  4  also operates as an applications server. The server  4  executes one or more computer programs to interact with a database  8 . It is understood that separate servers may be used to implement the network server functions and the applications server functions. Alternatively, the network server, firewall and the applications server can be implemented by a single server executing computer programs to perform the requisite functions.  
         [0010]    Database  8  contains a variety of information related to consumer&#39;s credit account. In one embodiment of the invention, the host system is operated by a credit card provider and the database  8  includes information concerning account holders and their accounts. The database  8  may be contained in a legacy, mainframe system maintained by the credit card provider. Server  4  may interact with database  8  through existing legacy components. Changes to database  8  can be made dynamically, in real time to instantaneously update information contained in the database  8 . Thus, a consumer&#39;s service request is processed immediately by server  4  without human intervention.  
         [0011]    Referring to FIG. 3, operation of the system will now be described. As noted above, the consumer system  2  may execute a user interface application (e.g., web browser) to interact with server  4 . The consumer may need to log into the host system  10  by providing a user identification and password at step  32 , as is known in the art. Once a consumer logs in, the consumer system  2  is presented with a user interface (such as that shown in FIG. 2) at step  34 . The main user interface of FIG. 2 identifies a number of service request links  100  which direct the consumer system  2  to different web pages provided by server  4  for performing service actions. Each of the service requests is implemented in real time by server  4  and cause an immediate update to database  8 . For example, the consumer may select the change address link to change the mailing address for a credit card account at step  36 . Selecting this link directs the server  4  to provide the consumer system  2  with a web page for entering a new address at step  37 . Note that certain requests may require additional security checks at step  38 . Such additional security checks may utilize an interactive fraud bureau product to confirm specific information about the consumer. If the security check allows the update, server  4  immediately alters the consumer&#39;s mailing address in database  8  and notifies the consumer system  2  of the change at step  39 . There is no need for human intervention in the form of customer service personnel. The other service requests depicted in FIG. 2 also occur in real time without customer service personnel intervention once the appropriate security confirmation has been made.  
         [0012]    The server  4  may implement a variety of security checks depending on the nature of the service request. A first form of security verification is the use of consumer information for verification of access. For example, the consumer may be prompted to enter information such as account number, zip code, social security number and/or telephone number to verify that the request from consumer system  2  can be processed. The information provided from consumer system  2  can be compared to information stored in database  8  to authorize the service request. A higher level of security can be obtained by creating a robust security system that uses the consumer account number and a PIN. Again, the account number and PIN can be compared to records in database  8  to authorize the service request. As discussed, additional security may be obtained by accessing third party databases  20  coupled to network  6 . For example, if a consumer requests a change of address, an interactive fraud bureau product can be accessed over network  6  to confirm a home address. Alternatively, if the consumer requests an increase in credit limit, a credit rating database can be accessed over network  6  to confirm credit history. Accordingly, the security aspect is not limited to information stored in database  8  of host system  10 .  
         [0013]    To perform the enhanced security check, the consumer may be requested to answer a number of questions as prompted by host system  10 . For example, if the consumer requests a change of address, the host system  10  prompts the consumer to identify the consumer&#39;s mortgage company. The consumer may respond through either pre-defined answers (e.g., drop down menus, radio buttons, etc.) or through user-defined answers. The host system  10  then accesses the appropriate third party database  20  based on the consumer&#39;s responses.  
         [0014]    As described above, the present invention can be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.  
         [0015]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.