Patent ID: 7251624

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for processing a request for a transaction over a client-server network, the method comprising: receiving a request for a transaction from a customer through a client computer, the request including a first set of transaction data for variables descriptive of the initial transaction; responsive to receiving said request, generating a transaction score using a prediction model based on the first set of transaction data and based on the customer's profile data that contain summaries of historical data that include prior customer transaction data, where the transaction score is indicative of a level of risk associated with the transaction; and responsive to the generated transaction score, performing: indicating to the client computer that the request for the transaction is rejected if the transaction score is above an upper bound; proceeding with the request for a transaction if the transaction score is below a lower bound; and obtaining additional data from the customer if the transaction score is between the lower bound and upper bound inclusive, said obtaining additional data comprising: determining, for each of a plurality of follow-up question sets, a probability of non-attrited fulfillment of the transaction after presentment of the follow-up question set, said determining the probability based on a metric for the value of additional data, using information provided by the question set, the transaction information, and the customer's profile data, and said determining the probability based on a likelihood that the customer will terminate the transaction if the customer is presented with the follow-up question set; and selecting a follow-up question set, from among the plurality of follow-up question sets, with the greatest probability of non-attrited fulfillment of the transaction, and presenting the selected follow-up question set to the customer.