COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING PRE-CHARGEBACK DISPUTES

1 . A pre-chargeback computer network for processing pre-chargeback dispute messages, said network comprising:

a dispute analyzer (DA) computing device in communication with a memory;

an issuer portal; and

a first communication link connecting the issuer portal to the DA computing device,

wherein the DA computing device is configured to:

receive a dispute message identifying a disputed transaction from the issuer portal over the first communication link, the dispute message including transaction data associated with the disputed transaction and dispute data;

analyze the transaction data and the dispute data; and

route the dispute message over the pre-chargeback computer network or a separate chargeback network based on the analysis.

2 . The pre-chargeback computer network of claim 1 further comprising:

a merchant portal; and

a second communication link connecting the merchant portal to the DA computing device,

wherein the DA computing device is further configured to:

determine that the disputed transaction qualifies as a pre-chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and

route the dispute message as a pre-chargeback dispute message to the merchant portal over the second communication link.

3 . The pre-chargeback computer network of claim 2 , wherein the DA computing device is further configured to:

analyze the dispute data to determine a merchant involved in the disputed transaction to receive the pre-chargeback dispute message; and

route the pre-chargeback dispute message to the merchant portal associated with the merchant.

4 . The pre-chargeback computer network of claim 2 , wherein the merchant portal is configured to display one or more pre-chargeback dispute messages associated with pre-chargeback disputes and accept text entered by the merchant in response to the one or more pre-chargeback dispute messages.

5 . The pre-chargeback computer network of claim 2 , wherein the DA computing device is further configured to:

receive a pre-chargeback response message over the second communication link from the merchant portal, wherein the pre-chargeback response message was prepared by the merchant; and

route the pre-chargeback response message over the first communication link to the issuer portal, wherein the pre-chargeback response message is accessible by a cardholder.

6 . The pre-chargeback computer network of claim 1 further comprising:

a payment processor; and

a third communication link connecting the DA computing device to the payment processor,

wherein the DA computing device is further configured to:

determine that the disputed transaction qualifies as a chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and

route the dispute message as a chargeback dispute message to the payment processor over the third communication link.

7 . The pre-chargeback computer network of claim 1 , wherein the dispute data includes at least one of (i) a narrative prepared by a cardholder relating to the disputed transaction or (ii) one or more multiple choice options selected by the cardholder relating to the disputed transaction.

8 . The pre-chargeback computer network of claim 1 , wherein the DA computing device is further configured to determine whether the disputed transaction is a chargeback or a pre-chargeback using at least one of natural language processing, statistical analysis, and machine learning analysis.

9 . A computer-implemented method for processing pre-chargeback dispute messages over a pre-chargeback network, said method implemented using a dispute analyzer (DA) computing device, said method comprising:

receiving, by the DA computing device, a dispute message identifying a disputed transaction from an issuer portal over a first communication link, the dispute message including transaction data associated with the disputed transaction and dispute data;

analyzing, by the DA computing device, the transaction data and the dispute data; and

routing, by the DA computing device, the dispute message over the pre-chargeback network or a separate chargeback network based on the analysis.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 further comprising:

determining, by the DA computing device, that the disputed transaction qualifies as a pre-chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and

routing, by the DA computing device, the dispute message as a pre-chargeback dispute message to a merchant portal over a second communication link.

11 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 further comprising:

analyzing, by the DA computing device, the dispute data to determine a merchant involved in the disputed transaction to receive the pre-chargeback dispute message; and

routing, by the DA computing device, the pre-chargeback dispute message to the merchant portal associated with the merchant.

12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving, by the DA computing device, a pre-chargeback response message over the second communication link, wherein the pre-chargeback response message was prepared by a merchant involved in the disputed transaction; and

routing, by the DA computing device, the pre-chargeback response message over the first communication link to the issuer portal, wherein the pre-chargeback response message is accessible by a cardholder.

13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 further comprising:

determining, by the DA computing device, that the disputed transaction qualifies as a chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and

routing, by the DA computing device, the dispute message as a chargeback dispute message to a payment processor over a third communication link.

14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 further comprising designating, by the DA computing device, the disputed transaction as a chargeback or a pre-chargeback using at least one of natural language processing, statistical methods, and machine learning analysis methods.

15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes computer-executable instructions for processing pre-chargeback dispute messages over a pre-chargeback network, wherein when executed by a dispute analyzer (DA) computing device comprising at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device, the computer-executable instructions cause the DA computing device to:

receive a dispute message identifying a disputed transaction from an issuer portal over a first communication link, the dispute message including transaction data associated with the disputed transaction and dispute data;

analyze the transaction data and the dispute data; and

route the dispute message over the pre-chargeback network or a separate chargeback network based on the analysis.

16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to:

determine that the disputed transaction qualifies as a pre-chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and

route the dispute message as a pre-chargeback dispute message to a merchant portal over a second communication link.

17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to:

analyze the dispute data to determine a merchant involved in the disputed transaction to receive the pre-chargeback dispute message; and

route the pre-chargeback dispute message to the merchant portal associated with the merchant.

18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to:

receive a pre-chargeback response message over the second communication link, wherein the pre-chargeback response message was prepared by the merchant; and

route the pre-chargeback response message over the first communication link to the issuer portal, wherein the pre-chargeback response message is accessible by a cardholder.

19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to:

determine that the disputed transaction qualifies as a chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and

route the dispute message as a chargeback dispute message to a payment processor over a third communication link.

20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to determine whether the disputed transaction is a chargeback or a pre-chargeback using at least one of natural language processing, statistical analysis, and machine learning analysis.