Patent ID: 8908846

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of operating an online listing system, the computer-implemented method including: determining, by a processor, an identity of a user based on an identifier entered by the user that uniquely identifies the user; capturing, by the processor, call history information when routing a call to a proxy telephone number by the user to a lister, a first part of the proxy telephone number being the same for the user and one or more additional users of the online listing system; upon completion of the routed call, transmitting, to the user, additional information about a listing based on a duration of the routed call, the additional information describing an item or service offered by the lister; scanning the call history information to determine whether a contract associated with the listing is formed between the user and the lister; and validating a transaction associated with the listing based on the determination that the contract is formed between the user and the lister.