IP Library Granted Patent US 8,565,396
Granted Patent B1
US 8,565,396 · App. 13/273,906 · Granted Oct 22, 2013

Systems and methods to detect a scam on a communications device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,565,396
App. No.
13/273,906
Granted
Oct 22, 2013
Kind
B1
Abstract

A computer-implemented method to detect scam on a communications device is described. An incoming communication is detected at the communications device. A determination is made as to whether a requested response message is detected. The requested response message is analyzed to determine whether the message is suspicious. A response message to the incoming communication is detected. The response message is blocked based on a determination that the requested response message is suspicious.

Claims (41)

1. A computer-implemented method to detect a scam on a communications device, comprising:

detecting an incoming communication at the communications device, the incoming communication being unsolicited;

identifying an incoming communication type based at least on the incoming communication;

detecting a response request from the incoming communication, the response request comprising a request that a user of the communications device respond to the incoming communication;

analyzing the response request to determine whether the response request is suspicious;

detecting the user responding to the response request; and

blocking the user responding to the response request based at least in part on a determination that the response request is suspicious.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the incoming communication is sent from an unknown source.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating an informational alert that indicates the incoming communication is a scam.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the incoming communication type comprises a telephone call.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the incoming communication type comprises a short messaging service (SMS) message.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting a bait flag linked to the incoming communication.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the bait flag comprises a missed call indicator.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the bait flag comprises an alert indicating receipt of an incoming SMS message.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein a suspicious response request comprises a request to establish communications with a premium telephone number.

10. A communications device configured to detect a scam, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instruction being executable by the processor to:

detect an incoming communication at the communications device, the incoming communication being unsolicited;

identify an incoming communication type based at least on the incoming communication;

detect a response request from the incoming communication, the response request comprising a request that a user of the communications device respond to the incoming communication;

analyze the response request to determine whether the response request is suspicious;

detect the user responding to the response request; and

block the user responding to the response request based at least in part on a determination that the response request is suspicious.

11. The communications device of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to determine whether the incoming communication is sent from an unknown source.

12. The communications device of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to generate an informational alert that indicates the incoming communication is a scam.

13. The communications device of claim 10 , wherein the incoming communication type comprises a telephone call.

14. The communications device of claim 10 , wherein the incoming communication type comprises a short messaging service (SMS) message.

15. The communications device of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to detect a bait flag linked to the incoming communication.

16. The communications device of claim 15 , wherein the bait flag comprises a missed call indicator.

17. The communications device of claim 15 , wherein the bait flag comprises an alert indicating receipt of an incoming SMS message.

18. The communications device of claim 10 , wherein a suspicious request response comprises a request to establish communications with a premium telephone number.

19. A computer-program product for detecting a scam, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions thereon, the instructions comprising:

code programmed to detect an incoming communication at the communications device, the incoming communication being unsolicited;

code programmed to identify an incoming communication type based at least on the incoming communication;

code programmed to detect a response request from the incoming communication, the response request comprising a request that a user of the communications device respond to the incoming communication;

code programmed to analyze the response request to determine whether the response request is suspicious;

code programmed to detect the user responding to the response request; and

code programmed to block the user responding to the response request based at least in part on a determination that the response request is suspicious.

20. The computer-program product of claim 19 , wherein the instructions further comprise code programmed to determine whether the incoming communication is sent from an unknown source.

Assignments (5)
NOTICE OF SUCCESSION OF AGENCY (REEL 050926 / FRAME 0560) Recorded Sep 13, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061422/0371 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 13, 2022
From: NORTONLIFELOCK INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 062220/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 30, 2020
From: SYMANTEC CORPORATION
To: NORTONLIFELOCK INC.
Reel/Frame 051759/0845 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 4, 2019
From: SYMANTEC CORPORATION; BLUE COAT LLC; LIFELOCK, INC,; SYMANTEC OPERATING CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN, N.A.
Reel/Frame 050926/0560 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2011
From: OLIVER, IAN
To: SYMANTEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027077/0307 →