Method of preventing fraud

Abstract

An identification verification system designed to prevent identity theft and financial fraud. Individuals are given or select identification codes which replace the commonly used social security numbers (SSNs). In order to access an individual's credit report or other financial records or open a credit account, the individual's identification code must be provided. Individuals, therefore, no longer have to provide their SSN in order to verify their identity. An individual's identity is verified only if the identification code submitted by the individual matches their identification code as found in a database. Individuals may choose to have their identification codes automatically changed periodically, or may choose to change their identification codes themselves as often as they wish. Identification codes are preferably changed upon each access to the individual's credit report or credit account opening.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 460,002 filed on Jul. 26, 2006, and priority is hereby claimed thereto.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to information security and fraud-prevention. Specifically, the present invention concerns credit and identity theft prevention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Identity theft and fraud are substantial menaces to informational security in today's electronic age. Having one's identity stolen, or credit destroyed, can be life-destabilizing and can lead to literally years of agonizing phone calls, paperwork and attempts at reestablishing one's credibility. Moreover, victims of identity theft or financial fraud may suffer a permanent loss of peace of mind regarding financial matters, as well as in other areas of their life.[0004]Identity theft and fraud are such life-shattering disasters because of the degree to which we depend on our credit. For example, when trying to secure a home or autom...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]The present invention prevents an identity thief from using a victim's SSN to access the victim's private financial information through the victim's credit report. Further, the present invention prevents and identity thief from using a victim's SSN to open accounts in the victim's name. Instead of simply providing the victim's SSN to view the victim's credit report or open a new account, an identity thief will have to provide the victim's ITPIC. Because the ITPIC is continuously alterable by it's rightful possessor, an identity thief may be thwarted if they obtain an old and expired ITPIC. For example, if the ITPIC is changed (automatically or by the user) after each transaction in which it is provided, even a thief with access to all of the documentation for those transactions will be unable to steal or misuse that individual's identity. Moreover, identity theft and financial fraud may be effectively investigated by looking into the usage of old and expired ITPICs. To prevent a potential identity thief from requesting a new ITPIC to be issued to them, in the victim's name, the process by which ITPICs shall be issued should be particularly scrutinizing.

Problems solved by technology

Because the ITPIC is continuously alterable by it's rightful possessor, an identity thief may be thwarted if they obtain an old and expired ITPIC.