Self-authenticating peer to peer transaction
A system and method of transaction processing is provided. The system includes a central server, which, after receiving transaction and recipient information from an initiator, sends a verification code to the initiator. The server also sends instructions for the initiator to send the code to a recipient via an outside communication channel. The server receives the verification code from the recipient, and verifies the transaction. In this manner, security may be maintained.
1. A computer-implemented method for a peer to peer transaction between an initiator and a recipient, comprising:
receiving, at a server device from an initiator mobile device, a first message having transaction information and recipient information, wherein the recipient information identifies the recipient;
identifying, from caller identification information associated with the initiator mobile device, an initiator account, wherein an account number of the initiator account corresponds to a mobile telephone number of the initiator mobile device;
sending, by the server device to the initiator mobile device, a first validation code and instructions for sending the first validation code to the recipient;
before the step of sending the first validation code:
sending, from the server device, a second message to the initiator mobile device, wherein the second message includes a prompt for verification information, and wherein the first and second messages are separate and distinct communications;
receiving, at the server device from the initiator mobile device, the verification information; and
confirming accuracy of the verification information;
receiving, at the server device from the recipient via a recipient device and a private communication channel, the first validation code;
validating, by the server device, the first validation code; and
after the validating step, processing, by the server device, the transaction between the initiator and the recipient.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the step of sending the prompt for the verification information, comprises one of sending a text message, sending a data message or generating a phone call.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the verification information comprises a personal identification number.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the verification information comprises a photograph of the initiator or a photograph of identifying documents belonging to the initiator.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising, after the step of confirming the accuracy of the verification information, creating a recipient account.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising, before the step of validating the first validation code:
sending, by the server device to the recipient via the private communication channel, a second validation code;
receiving, at the server device from the recipient via the private communication channel, the second validation code; and
before the step of processing the transaction, validating, by the server device, the second validation code.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the second validation code comprises one of a pseudorandom code or the transaction amount.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising, before the step of processing the transaction, delaying the transaction processing for a period of time.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the period of time is between 30 seconds and 5 minutes.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first validation code comprises a pseudorandom code.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction information includes an initiating transaction code identifying the transaction as a peer-to-peer transfer.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction information and the recipient information is in the form of a text message or a data message.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the private communication channel comprises a recipient mobile phone, and wherein the recipient information comprises a recipient mobile phone number, and wherein the recipient mobile phone number corresponds to a recipient account number.
14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the recipient information comprises an account number and a routing number.
15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction information includes the transaction amount.
16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising, after the step of processing the transaction,
sending, by the server device to the initiator device and the recipient, confirmation that the transaction has occurred.
17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein only the server device, the initiator mobile device, or the recipient are required to perform a verification or validation function.
18. A non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions executable by the machine for performing a peer-to-peer transaction between an initiator and a recipient, the instructions causing the machine to:
accept receipt, from an initiator mobile device, of a first message having transaction information and recipient information, wherein the recipient information identifies the recipient;
identify, from caller identification information associated with the initiator mobile device, an initiator account, wherein an account number of the initiator account corresponds to a mobile telephone number of the initiator mobile device;
send to the initiator mobile device a first validation code and instructions for sending the first validation code to the recipient;
before sending to the initiator mobile device the first validation code:
send to the initiator mobile device a second message having a prompt for verification information, wherein the second message includes a prompt for verification information, and wherein the first and second messages are separate and distinct communications;
accept receipt from the initiator mobile device of the verification information; and
confirm accuracy of the verification information;
accept receipt, from the recipient via a recipient device and a private communication channel, the first validation code;
validate the first validation code; and
after the validate step, process the transaction between the initiator and the recipient.
19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 18 further comprising instructions causing the machine, before validating the first validation code, to:
send to the recipient via the private communication channel a second validation code;
accept receipt from the recipient via the private communication channel the second validation code; and
before processing the transaction, validate the second validation code.
20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 18 , further comprising instructions causing the machine, after processing the transaction, to send to the initiator mobile device and the recipient confirmation that the transaction has occurred.