System and method for facilitating account-based transactions
View Patent ↗Systems, methods and apparatus are presented for facilitating account-based transactions. In an embodiment, the method includes associating a first person with an account, associating a second person with the account, receiving a request from a third party to authorize a transaction between the second person and the third party, determining a first communication address of the first party, and contacting the first party. The process also includes determining that the first person desires to communicate with the second person, determining a second communication address of the second person, initiating a communication between the first person and the second person, and receiving a signal from the first person that authorizes the transaction or declines the transaction.
1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a server in communication via a telecommunication network with at least one merchant, a request to authorize a transaction between a second person and a third party;
determining, by the server, a first communication address of a first person associated with the second party and with an account;
facilitating, via the server, contact with the first person via the first communication address;
determining, by the server, a second communication address of the second person;
initiating, by the server, a communication between the first person and the second person; and
receiving, by the server, a signal indicating that the first person authorizes the transaction.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the signal to the third party.
3. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein the account comprises a credit card account; and
further comprising:
transmitting the signal to a card authorization terminal.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first person is a controlling individual associated with the account.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a monetary amount based on the communication; and
charging the monetary amount to the account.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein initiating the communication between the first person and the second person comprises:
enabling communication between the first person and the second person via a device, the device comprising at least one of a telephone, a cell phone, a radio device, a personal digital assistant, and a computer.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein initiating the communication between the first person and the second person comprises:
enabling text-based communication between the first person and the second person.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein initiating the communication between the first person and the second person comprises:
enabling audio communication between the first person and the second person.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein initiating the communication between the first person and the second person comprises:
enabling video communication between the first person and the second person.
10. An apparatus, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing instructions configured to direct the processor to:
receive a request to authorize a transaction between a second person and a third party;
determine a first communication address of a first person associated with the second party and with an account;
facilitate communication with the first person via the first communication address;
determine a second communication address of the second person;
initiate a communication between the first person and the second person; and
receive a signal indicating that the first person authorizes the transaction or declines the transaction.