Abstract:
Systems and methods of on-line credit information monitoring and control. In one embodiment, a server computer accesses and retrieves credit information relating to a consumer. The server computer may also provide a user interface with active links associated with credit items. The links may allow the consumer to communicate directly with a credit service. The server computer may offer additional credit-related services such as credit report retrieval, credit monitoring, notifications, identity theft management, interest rate calculations, historical archives, and account management.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/471,859, filed May 15, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/168,736, filed Jun. 24, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,195,549, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/874,364, filed Sep. 2, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,970,679, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/665,244, filed Sep. 20, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,792,715, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 60/412,355, filed Sep. 21, 2002. All of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The invention relates to the field of credit information monitoring and control and, in particular, to a method for monitoring and control of an individual&#39;s credit information by use of the Internet. 
         [0003]    Traditionally the typical method for obtaining one&#39;s credit information was to send a written request for a credit report to each credit reporting bureau and provide identifying proof of identity which, in most cases, was a utility bill or tax bill. Recently the credit report has been available for purchase online. Once the credit report was obtained and a discrepancy or error was found in the information, the individual had to request investigation of the discrepant or erroneous credit information either through the credit bureau or directly to the offending credit grantor organization, such as a department store or bank. This was a time consuming method. An improvement to this method was to use a credit watch, or credit monitoring organization that would monitor the individual&#39;s credit reports on file at a credit bureau. The credit watch organization would send reports to the individual if certain types of information appeared in the credit history. Examples of the type of information that would trigger a report are derogatory items, change of address and whether a third party requested a credit report. While this method provided an up-to-date status of the individual&#39;s credit history, the individual was still left with the job of contacting the individual creditor or bank to report errors or discrepancies and to request appropriate investigations. 
         [0004]    In applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 09/846,616 “Card Management System and Method Therefor” filed on May 1, 2001, a credit card management system is disclosed and is herewith incorporated into this application by reference. This invention is a method and system for on-line card management, wherein the card is issued to a card user by a card issuing organization. The card user interfaces with a card management organization via the card user&#39;s own computer through the Internet to a computer system within the card management organization. This system is discussed in more detail in the detailed description section because it is incorporated into the subject invention. 
         [0005]    Thus, it is a primary object of the invention to provide to provide a method of on-line credit information monitoring and control. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the invention to provide an on-line credit information monitoring method that allows an individual to obtain the individual&#39;s credit report from the credit reporting bureaus, to challenge any discrepancies or errors in the credit report, and to initiate time, and date stamped notifications to affected creditors to request remedial action. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an on-line credit information monitoring method that allows an individual who finds or suspects identity theft to initiate time and date stamped notifications to affected creditors and cognizant government agencies. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the system to provide an on-line credit information monitoring method which allows an individual to access time and date stamped notifications initiated by the individual to affected creditors and government agencies. 
         [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide an on-line credit information monitoring protocol that can determine the hypothetical interest rate that an individual should pay for a specific type of loan based on the individual&#39;s credit information. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The invention is a method of on-line credit information monitoring and control designed to provide an individual with the ability to maintain the individual&#39;s credit information for the purpose of protecting against errors and misuse, and for availing the individual of the best available credit consistent with the individual&#39;s credit information. In general, the system and method allows an individual using the individual&#39;s own computer terminal to access a computer system in a computer network, such as the Internet, to monitor, request, and record within the computer system, numerous actions initiated by the individual regarding the individual&#39;s own credit information. 
         [0011]    In detail, a method of on-line monitoring and control of an individual&#39;s credit information, which includes the steps of:
       1. The individual accesses a computer system in a computer network. This is typically accomplished by the individual accessing the Internet by use of the individual&#39;s own computer and contacting the credit management computer system.   2. Via the computer system, the individual then requests actions regarding the individual&#39;s credit information. These actions will include obtaining a copy of the individual&#39;s credit report from each of the national bureaus, or a combined copy in a merged format that shows the data from each of the national bureaus. These actions will also include notification of specific items of the credit report, such as: credit information from creditors that can have an adverse affect on the individual&#39;s credit, requests from third parties for copies of the individual&#39;s credit report, and changes of address as reported to the bureaus.   3. Contacting the appropriate organization by the computer system and requesting the organization to take appropriate remedial action. Here the computer system completes the request initiated by the individual. Through interaction with the computer system, an individual can communicate with a creditor to dispute an information item or items. The individual can also request the computer system to electronically notify the appropriate government agencies should an identity theft situation occur or appear to be imminent such as with an unauthorized address change, or application for credit that the individual did not authorize.   4. Informing the individual that the notification has been made.       
 
         [0016]    The invention further includes a computer program for interpreting the individual&#39;s credit information and providing hypothetical interest rate advice. 
         [0017]    The invention further includes a computer program to request credit bureaus to delete inaccurate information if investigation fails to begin within the 30-day period required by law. In addition, a computer program is included that date and time stamps, stores, and maintains all actions taken by the individual. 
         [0018]    The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a computer terminal screen by which an individual can log-in or register as a new member 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a top-level flow chart of the credit card computer program. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a computer terminal screen for registering a new member. This screen includes general information. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3B  is a computer terminal screen for registering additional information for a new member. This screen includes security information. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3C  is a computer terminal screen presenting the member with program options. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of the computer program for requesting credit reports and credit score. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5A  is a computer terminal screen for requesting a new credit report. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5B  is a computer terminal screen displaying a credit report. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5C  is a computer terminal screen displaying a credit score. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5D  is a computer terminal screen displaying a form to report an inaccuracy in a credit report. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5E  is a computer terminal screen displaying a form letter to a creditor. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a detailed flow chart of the computer program for credit monitoring. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7A  is a computer terminal screen displaying results of trade lines of credit monitoring report. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7B  is a computer terminal screen displaying address monitoring. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7C  is a computer terminal screen displaying employment information. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7D  is a computer terminal screen displaying Inquiries information. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7E  is a computer terminal screen displaying the public record of the individual. 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a detailed flow chart of the computer program for reporting and monitoring identity theft. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9A  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, personal information. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9B  a is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, complaint overview information. 
           [0039]      FIG. 9C  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, complaint details. 
           [0040]      FIG. 9D  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, further complaint details. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9E  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, problems with companies. 
           [0042]      FIG. 9F  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, a review and submit screen. 
           [0043]      FIG. 9G  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, reporting instructions. 
           [0044]      FIG. 9H  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, a form letter for reporting identity theft. 
           [0045]      FIG. 9I  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, the second page of the form letter shown in  FIG. 9H . 
           [0046]      FIG. 9J  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, status of reports on identity theft. 
           [0047]      FIG. 9K  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, identity theft notification details. 
           [0048]      FIG. 9L  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, identity theft notification overview screen. 
           [0049]      FIG. 9M  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, personal Information record. 
           [0050]      FIG. 9N  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, identity theft notification details. 
           [0051]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart for a computer program to compute interest rates. 
           [0052]      FIG. 11  is a computer terminal screen displaying the expected interest rates and individual should expect to pay given his or her credit rating score. 
           [0053]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart for a computer program to record activities. 
           [0054]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart for a computer program for providing an individual&#39;s account details. 
           [0055]      FIG. 14  is a computer terminal screen for displaying account information. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0056]      FIG. 1  is the opening computer screen for the program and  FIG. 2  is a top-level flow chart for the computer program. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the individual logs-in by entering their name and a password and pressing the log-in button  20 . The individual can also register by clicking on the register button  22 . However, the registration process is typical, involving entering ones name, address, and other pertinent information as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Thus this process need not be discussed further. After logging-in, the computer screen shown in  FIG. 3C  appears and displays all the available features of the program. Additionally, an account summary automatically appears (this summary which will be discussed later). 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 C and  4 , the following are the steps for obtaining a credit report: 
         [0058]    Step  20 —Log In. 
         [0059]    Step  27 —Select A Service—These include the steps of obtaining credit reports and scores  30 , monitoring credit  32 , credit card monitoring, including reporting lost cards  34 , identity theft reporting  36 , compute interest rates, archival of information  40  and account information  42 . All the information generated is archived in a computerized database  43 . In this instance button  30  is “clicked” on. Step  30 —Obtaining Credit Reports and Scores—It can be seen that the individual can monitor various credit reporting bureaus and have their reports and credit rating displayed. Step  30  therefore includes the steps of: Step  44 —Select Credit Reports—The three major credit reporting bureaus, Experian Corporation, Equifax Corporation and TransUnion Corporation can be contacted and a credit report purchased. The computer screen in  FIG. 5A  appears and the individual can then order a new report. Step  45 —Order Credit Reports—Orders for credit reports are made to the credit reporting bureaus. A typical screen to order such reports is shown in  FIG. 5B . Step  46 —Compile Credit Reports—If more than one credit report is purchased, then the reports are merged. Step  47 —Archival of Credit Report—At this point the credit report is added to the database  43  and archived (Step  43 A) Step  48 —Display Credit Report—The credit report(s) are presented to the individual for review via the Internet. The typical report is shown in  FIG. 5B . The credit reports from step  48  can be used to develop a credit rating. Step  50 —Generate A Credit Rating—This information is useful in determining a interest rate that the individual would expect to pay when securing a loan. In this step a credit score is computed. This can be provided by the credit reporting bureau or an independent organization or an independent organization. Step  48 —Display Credit Report and Credit Score—The credit rating is provided to the individual over the Internet. The computer terminal screen for displaying a credit score is illustrated in  FIG. 5C . Step  52 —Create Alert— FIG. 5B  displays the Computer screen, which displays the report(s). Note that a Report Inaccuracy Button  53  appears. Step  54 —Send Notifications—Automatic inquires are made to the credit bureaus and credit by pressing Button  53 . 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3C and 6 , which is a detailed flowchart of the credit monitoring program, the individual can continuously monitor the individual&#39;s credit history. After clicking on the credit-monitoring button  32 , the following program is initiated. 
         [0061]    Step  55 —Set Watch—This initiates monitoring of credit bureau reports. Step  56 —Receive Hits—The hits (changes to credit report) are gathered. Step  58 —Store Hits in database  43  Step  60 —Create Alert Message—Alert message for E-mail is prepared. Step  61 —Send Alert—E-mail message sent to individual. Step  62 —Display Alert—Alert also put on individuals web site. Step  64 —Allow Ind. To Respond—Initiate individual&#39;s notification Step  66 A—Send Notice to Credit Issuer—Individual notice sent from user to credit issuer. Step  66 B—Send Notice To Bureau—Individual notice send to credit reporting bureau(s). 
         [0062]      FIG. 7A  shows a computer screen for monitoring trade lines. FIG.  7 BB is a computer screen that allows the user to monitor address changes.  FIG. 7C  shows the computer screen for employment history  FIG. 7D  shows the computer screen for monitoring inquires.  FIG. 7E  shows the screen for monitoring public records In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the Notifications Step  34  is accomplished by the process disclosed in U.S. patent application No. Ser. No. 09/846,616 “Card Management System and Method Therefor” filed on May 1, 2001, a credit card management system was disclosed and is herewith incorporated into this application by reference. This invention is a method and system for on-line card management, wherein the card is issued to a card user by a card issuing organization. The card user interfaces with a card management organization via the card user&#39;s own computer through the Internet to a computer system within the card management organization. The computer system includes a computer program that processes the request concerning a card and the card issuer is informed of the card user&#39;s request via the Internet system. The computer program thereafter informs the card user that the card issuer has received notice. This invention allowed an individual to contact a card issuer about a credit card billing dispute. 
         [0063]    Still referring to  FIG. 3C  and additionally to  FIG. 8 , which is a computer flow chart to handle Identity Theft  36 . After “clicking” on Identity theft button on the Screen in  FIG. 3C , the following steps are undertaken by a computer program. 
         [0064]    Step  70 —Provide Forms—A generic form for Federal, State and local law enforcement departments is provided. Step  71 —Display Selected Form—Here the form that is required is displayed as requested. 
         [0065]    Step  72 —User Fills Out Form. 
         [0066]    Step  73 —Show Printable Form and Instructions. 
         [0067]    The following computer terminal screens are available:  FIG. 9A  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, personal information.  FIG. 9B  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, complaint overview information.  FIG. 9C  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, complaint details.  FIG. 9D  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, further complaint details.  FIG. 9E  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, problems with companies.  FIG. 9F  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, a review and submit screen. 
         [0068]      FIG. 9G  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, reporting instructions.  FIG. 9H  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, a customized form letter for reporting identity theft.  FIG. 9I  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, the second page of the form letter shown in  FIG. 9H .  FIG. 9J  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, status of reports on identity theft.  FIG. 9K  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, identity theft notification details.  FIG. 9L  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, identity theft notification overview screen.  FIG. 9M  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, personal Information record.  FIG. 9N  is a computer terminal screen displaying an identity theft questionnaire, in particular, identity theft notification details. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 3C  and  FIG. 10  which is a flow chart for the computer program to compute interest rates an individual should expect to pay based on his or hers credit score. 
         [0070]    Step  76 —Retrieve Credit Ratinq—The database is accessed to retrieve the rating. Step  77 —Calculate Interest Rate—Rates for a house, car, personal loan, savings or credit card are computed 
         [0071]    Step  78 —Store Interest Data 
         [0072]    Step—79 Display Interest Rate Data.  FIG. 11  is a typical report of the interest rates and individual should expect to pay given their latest credit rating. 
         [0073]    Archives can be entered to obtain an individual&#39;s records and a flow chart for the computer to accomplish this function is provided in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0074]    Step  80 —Select Member Account—The data base is entered to retrieve data. Step  82 —Display Selected Archived data. 
         [0075]      FIG. 13  a flow chart for the computer program to provide an individual&#39;s account information. 
         [0076]    Step  84 —Select Member Account Details 
         [0077]    Step  86 —Display Account Details— FIG. 14  is a printout of typical account details. 
         [0078]    Thus it can be seen that the computer program and associated screens can obtain credit reports and scores, monitor credit, perform notifications, handle identity theft, compute interest rates, view archived data, and modify account details. 
         [0079]    While the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it should be understood that the embodiment is merely illustrative, as there are numerous variations and modifications, which may be made by those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention is to be construed as being limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0080]    The invention has applicability to the credit reporting industry.