METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTHORIZING A PAYMENT VIA A REMOTE DEVICE

1 . A system for authorizing a transaction comprising:

a memory storing at least an identification number uniquely associated with a user account with a service provider; and

one or more processors in communication with the memory and configured to:

receive, via a mobile device of a user, a request for purchase of a product displayed on the mobile device of the user;

transmit an authorization code to the mobile device of the user;

receive, from the user device, the authorization code entered into an authorization field displayed on the mobile device;

verify the authorization code;

offer the user an incentive;

select, from a plurality of funding sources, a funding source for an account associated with the user to charge the purchase; and

charge a price for the purchase to the account associated with the user.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to:

send the mobile device, prior to transmitting the authorization code, a request authorization field inviting the user to enter an identification number;

receive, from the user, the identification number entered into the request authorization field; and

verify the identification number prior to transmitting the authorization code.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the funding source selected is based on preferences specified by the user.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the funding source is selected is based, in part, on the price for the purchase.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to offer an incentive to the user in exchange for the user linking one or more funding sources other than a cellular phone carrier of the user, when the user makes a purchase, or when the user refers a new customer.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the incentive comprises incentive points that can be used to make a purchase.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the incentive comprises virtual currency for use in on-line virtual games.

8 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the identification number comprises a cellular phone number of the user.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the authorization code comprises a personal identification number.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to transmit the authorization code over a cellular phone network.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of funding sources comprises a cellular phone carrier account, a credit card, a debit card, a checking account, a savings account, a brokerage account, an insurance account, an e-commerce money transfer account, an incentive points account, a virtual points account, and a virtual currency account.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to provide a notice of transaction completion.

13 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by one or more processors of a server are adapted to cause the server to perform a method comprising:

receiving, via a mobile device of a user, a request for purchase of a product displayed on the mobile device of the user;

transmitting an authorization code to the mobile device of the user;

receiving, from the user device, the authorization code entered into an authorization field displayed on the mobile device;

verifying the authorization code;

offering the user an incentive;

selecting, from a plurality of funding sources, a funding source for an account associated with the user to charge the purchase; and

charging a price for the purchase to the account associated with the user.

14 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises:

sending the mobile device, prior to transmitting the authorization code, a request authorization field inviting the customer to enter an identification number;

receiving, from the user, the identification number entered into the request authorization field; and

verifying the identification number prior to transmitting the authorization code.

15 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the funding source selected is based on preferences specified by the user.

16 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the funding source is selected based, in part, on the price for the purchase.

17 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises offering an incentive to the user in exchange for the user linking one or more funding sources other than a cellular phone carrier of the user, when the user makes a purchase, or when the user refers a new customer.

18 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the incentive comprises incentive points that can be used to make a purchase.

19 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the incentive comprises virtual currency for use in on-line virtual games.

20 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the identification number comprises a cellular phone number of the user.

21 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the authorization code comprises a personal identification number.

22 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises transmitting the authorization code over a cellular phone network.

23 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of funding sources comprises a cellular phone carrier account, a credit card, a debit card, a checking account, a savings account, a brokerage account, an insurance account, an e-commerce money transfer account, an incentive points account, a virtual points account, and a virtual currency account.

24 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises providing a notice of transaction completion.