Browser-Provisioned Virtual Payment Cards with Risk-Based Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing payment systems lack efficient methods for securely adding authorized users to a payment account, particularly in online transactions, without issuing physical cards, and do not adequately assess the risk of potential fraud or misuse by these users.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates a virtual payment card linked to a primary cardholder's account, assesses the risk of potential authorized users through browser profile data, and provisions the virtual card to a web browser for secure online purchases, with risk mitigation measures if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical cards are issued to authorized users, then they can utilize the payment account for purchases, but the process is inefficient and lacks security controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the payment card functionality through a virtual payment card number that can be provisioned to multiple authorized users without issuing physical cards. This virtual card copy enables online purchases while maintaining centralized control and security monitoring by the primary cardholder.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a virtual card provisioning system as an intermediary between the primary cardholder and authorized users. This intermediary automatically manages card issuance, sets spending limits, and monitors transactions, eliminating the need for manual physical card distribution while enhancing security controls.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual payment cards are generated for authorized users, then online purchase capability is enabled, but risk assessment and fraud prevention become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary risk assessment and establishes spending limits before the virtual card is activated and used. The primary cardholder pre-configures authorization levels, spending caps, and restricted merchants, which simplifies ongoing transaction monitoring and reduces the complexity of real-time risk evaluation.
3Reliability
If purchase restrictions are applied to virtual payment cards, then fraud risk is reduced, but the ease of use for legitimate purchases may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The payment card system is segmented into multiple virtual card instances, each with specific restriction profiles tailored to different authorized users and purchase scenarios. This segmentation allows the primary cardholder to create specialized cards for different purposes (e.g., online-only, specific merchants, spending caps) without affecting the usability of other cards.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments pertain to provisioning a virtual payment card for an authorized user in a browser. A primary cardholder can request the addition of an individual as an authorized user on the primary cardholder's account. Further information regarding the individual can be solicited and utilized to compute a risk score associated with adding the individual as an authorized user. Further processing of the request, including whether to terminate or continue, can be based on comparing the risk score to a predetermined threshold. If processing is continued, a virtual payment card linked to the primary cardholder account is generated. Next, the virtual card can be added as a payment method to a browser profile of the individual on a network-accessible computing resource. Subsequently, the authorized user can access the virtual card to make online shopping payments with a web browser personalized with the browser profile.