Money transfer transactions via pre-paid wireless communication devices

US8510223B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Western Union Company · US

Inventors

• Paul Blair · Sunrise, US
• Rex Lieurance · Denver, US
• Diane Scott · Lone Tree, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 3, 2006
• Grant date: Aug 13, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 17, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q40/00
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention generally provides systems and methods for performing money transfer transactions via a wireless communication device, such as a cellular phone. In accordance with the invention, the wireless communication device is associated with, or automatically linked to, at least one payment source account (i.e., the wireless communication device is associated with a payment source account that may be automatically charged for payment of account balances, authorized charges, and/or money transfers). In a preferred embodiment, the wireless communication device is associated with at least one pre-paid payment source account. In one example, the wireless communication device is a pre-paid cellular phone and/or is associated with a pre-paid money transfer account. In certain aspects, the wireless communication device may access a pre-directed phone number, e.g., *55, to access a money transfer service provider. Once connected to a money transfer service provider, a user may initiate a money transfer via the wireless device, which is optionally paid to a payee in-person at a money transfer service provider location.