Telephone Call Fraud Detection via Caller ID Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users are vulnerable to fraudulent scams where unsolicited telephone calls falsely represent themselves as legitimate institutions, prompting victims to provide sensitive information, which existing technologies have not effectively protected against.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that monitors telephone calls, compares characteristics of the source device with a database, and generates a warning message if the call is deemed untrusted, preventing the transmission of sensitive information to unverified sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users answer unsolicited telephone calls, then they may receive legitimate communications, but they risk providing sensitive information to fraudulent entities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to receive legitimate callsVSAvoidexposure to fraudulent scams

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by comparing the caller's telephone number against whitelist and blacklist databases before the user engages with the call. This advance checking prevents fraudulent calls from reaching the user while allowing legitimate calls to proceed normally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary verification layer between the user and the telephone call. The protection module acts as a mediator that intercepts incoming calls, performs security checks against known fraudulent numbers, and only allows legitimate calls to connect to the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system monitors and blocks all suspicious calls, then user protection increases, but legitimate calls may be missed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against fraudVSAvoidability to receive legitimate calls

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different verification strategies based on the specific characteristics of each incoming call. Calls matching known fraudulent patterns in the blacklist receive immediate blocking, while calls from unknown numbers are allowed to through without interfering with the user experience, and only calls from verified legitimate numbers in the whitelist receive enhanced verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the verification parameter from binary block/allow to a spectrum of trust levels. By maintaining both whitelist and blacklist databases, the system can adjust its response based on the trust level of the incoming call, allowing legitimate calls to pass while blocking only confirmed fraudulent numbers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the system implements comprehensive call monitoring and verification, then fraud detection improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefraud detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the fraud detection functionality into separate, independent modules: a whitelist management component, a blacklist management component, and a call verification component. Each module handles a specific aspect of fraud detection, making the overall system more manageable and easier to maintain while providing comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8503645B1Systems and methods for providing protection against a solicitation for information during a telephone call

Publication Date: 2013.08.06 GEN DIGITAL INC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method to provide protection against a solicitation for information during a telephone call is described. A telephone call connection between a target device and a source device is monitored. A determination is made when sensitive information is provided via the target device. Characteristics of the source device are compared with characteristics stored in a first database. A warning message is generated based on the results of the comparison.