Authentication of a remote customer using probabilistic locations of WiFi signals

US11983695B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• United Services Automobile Association (USAA) · US

Inventors

• Ryan Thomas Russell · San Antonio, US
• Gregory Brian Meyer · San Antonio, US
• Steven Michael Bernstein · San Antonio, US
• David Ira Waters, Jr. · San Antonio, US
• Patrick Michael Luberus · San Antonio, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 28, 2021
• Grant date: May 14, 2024
• Expiry date: Jul 21, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L2463/082
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The embodiments disclosed herein use WiFi signals detected from nearby WiFi networks to confirm the identity of a bank's customer logging in to his or her account at the bank. Specifically, the customer's computing device may detect signals from neighboring WiFi networks. The bank may then verify that the customer's accounts are being accessed from the customer's home or office by comparing the list of neighboring WiFi networks to a previously stored list of the neighboring networks. If the lists match, it is probable that the customer's accounts are being accessed from the customer's home or office, thus reducing the possibility that a fraudulent actor is trying to access the customer's accounts.