Eric Lee Hopper

US Patent:

6516056, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Jan 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/479768

Inventors:

Scott C. Justice - Portland OR
Eric L. Hopper - Portland OR
Ken C. Obrist - Portland OR

Assignee:

Vesta Corporation - Portland OR

International Classification:

H04M 1500

US Classification:

379145, 37911401, 37911414, 37911415, 37911416, 37914401

Abstract:

A system and method for preventing fraud. The method typically includes identifying one or more fraud indicators and examining past transactions and/or a pending transaction associated with the account for the presence of the fraud indicators. The method also includes, by said examining, detecting at least one of the fraud indicators. The method also includes calculating a cumulative fraud risk level associated with the pending transaction based on the detected fraud indicators. The method may also include determining whether the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, verifying the request for the transaction with an owner of the account. The method may further include assigning a weighted value to each of the fraud indicators. The account is typically a telephone calling account, such as a calling card account.

US Patent:

H002252, Jan 4, 2011

Filed:

Sep 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/527920

Inventors:

Yvette Bohanan - Beaverton OR, US
Eric Hopper - Happy Valley OR, US
Sanjay Khare - Portland OR, US
Jianning Le - Lake Oswego OR, US

Assignee:

Vesta Corporation - Portland OR

International Classification:

G06Q 40/00

US Classification:

705 40

Abstract:

A pre-collections system identifies debtors when they contact a company for a new purchase. A customer service representative (or other automated process) takes payment for the prior debt in real time. The pre-collections system is tightly integrated with an order processing system. Order processing system channels (web site, IVR, CSR, etc. ) are enabled to redirect the customer debtor into a corresponding pre-collections system channel. Customers are routed back seamlessly in real time to the point in the order processing system where they left off. The customer is re-instated immediately when their payment is cleared. The system keeps track of blacklisted customers. Logic determines whether to resubmit an item, reclaim a product or service or to immediately collect upon the debt.

US Patent:

20030048888, Mar 13, 2003

Filed:

Jun 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/167235

Inventors:

Eric Hopper - Portland OR, US
Keith Steele - West Linn OR, US
Douglas Fieldhouse - Lake Oswego OR, US

International Classification:

H04M015/00

US Classification:

379/114200

Abstract:

A telephone calling account system, method, and card. The method typically includes determining a preexisting account designator of a preexisting account, creating a telephone calling account on a calling platform, and assigning to the telephone calling account the preexisting account designator of the preexisting account.

US Patent:

20030174823, Sep 18, 2003

Filed:

Jan 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/355376

Inventors:

Scott Justice - Portland OR, US
Eric Hopper - Portland OR, US
Ken Obrist - Portland OR, US

International Classification:

H04M017/00

US Classification:

379/145000

Abstract:

A system and method for preventing fraud. The method typically includes identifying one or more fraud indicators and examining past transactions and/or a pending transaction associated with the account for the presence of the fraud indicators. The method also includes, by said examining, detecting at least one of the fraud indicators. The method also includes calculating a cumulative fraud risk level associated with the pending transaction based on the detected fraud indicators. The method may also include determining whether the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the cumulative fraud risk level meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, verifying the request for the transaction with an owner of the account. The method may further include assigning a weighted value to each of the fraud indicators. The account is typically a telephone calling account, such as a calling card account.

US Patent:

6404866, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Nov 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/436977

Inventors:

Eric L. Hopper - Portland OR
Keith E. Steele - West Linn OR
Douglas M. Fieldhouse - Lake Oswego OR

Assignee:

Vesta Corporation - Portland OR

International Classification:

H04M 1500

US Classification:

37911415, 379111, 37911419, 37914401, 705 18

Abstract:

A telephone calling account system, method, and card. The method typically includes determining a preexisting account designator of a preexisting account, creating a telephone calling account on a calling platform, and assigning to the telephone calling account the preexisting account designator of the preexisting account.