Method and system for managing account information
A method and system for authenticating the identity of a consumer is disclosed. After the consumer is authenticated by a trusted third party, the consumer designates accounts that the consumer wishes to “lock.” When a party requests access to that account, the consumer is notified through the consumer's phone and asked to input a PIN. If the consumer provides the PIN, the requestor is granted access to the consumer's account without requiring further input from the consumer. If the party authorizing the transaction in this “two-factor” authentication does not possess both the phone and the consumer's PIN, or that party elects not to provide the PIN, the request will not be authenticated.
1. A method for establishing a credit account comprising:
receiving initial information from a consumer sufficient to permit a trusted third party to establish said consumer as a subscriber of said trusted third party's services;
establishing said consumer as a subscriber of said trusted third party, wherein the number for accessing a communication device of said subscriber is retained on one or more hardware devices by said trusted third party;
said subscriber requesting a credit account from an account provider;
said account provider contacting a credit bureau and requesting said subscriber's credit file;
said credit bureau providing said account provider with said subscriber's credit file containing contact information for said trusted third party and identifying information for said subscriber;
said account provider requesting authorization from said trusted third party to open said subscriber's account;
said trusted third party contacting said subscriber on said subscriber's communication device;
said subscriber providing said trusted third party with confirmation that said subscriber desires said account provider to be provided access to said credit file; and
said trusted third party authorizing said account provider to proceed in opening said account on behalf of said subscriber.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said account provider is a provider of telephony services.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said communication device is a cellular telephone.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subscriber must be located in said subscriber's home calling area.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said initial information provided by said subscriber to said trusted third party is provided from a device separate from said subscriber's communication device.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subscriber providing said trusted third party with confirmation is accomplished through the entry of a personal identification number on said subscriber's communication device.