Wireless communication device account payment notification systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for notifying a wireless communication device user regarding an account payment. One method comprises dialing a phone number of a wireless communication device, preferably a cell phone. A communication relating to an account payment that includes a balance due is then transmitted or delivered to a wireless communication device user. Optionally, at the same time or a later time, input from the wireless communication device user may be received regarding payment of the balance due. Such notification methods may be carried out by a host computer system which has a record of when the account payment is due and dials and transmits within a predetermined time frame. Generally, such methods will further comprise pre-registering or enrolling the wireless communication device user.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for notifying a wireless communication device user regarding an account payment, the method comprising: 
 dialing a phone number of a wireless communication device;    transmitting a communication relating to an account payment that includes a balance due; and    receiving input from a wireless communication device user regarding payment of the balance due.    
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving an answer from the wireless communication device prior to transmitting the communication.  
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the answer comprises a live verbal response from the wireless communication device user or a voice mail of the wireless communication device user.  
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the communication comprises a verbal communication or text message.  
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein transmitting further comprises requesting whether no, partial, or full payment of the balance due is to be made.  
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein transmitting further comprises requesting a new credit card, debit card, or ACH transfer authorization or a pre-registered payment option approval from the wireless communication device user for a partial or full payment of the balance due.  
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein transmitting further comprises identifying a provider location where payment is made in-person by currency, check, credit card, debit card, or ACH transfer from a bank account.  
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the provider is a third party payment service provider affiliated with a plurality of offices.  
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the provider is a wireless communication device provider.  
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the provider is a billing party.  
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving input further comprises receiving a new credit card, debit card, or ACH transfer authorization or a pre-registered payment option approval from the wireless communication device user for a partial or full payment of the balance due.  
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein receiving input further comprises receiving a return phone call to a customer service representative or an IVR system, a return text message, an internet response, an e-mail response, an in-person visit from the wireless device user, or a mail response.  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a payment of at least a portion of the balance due in response to the received input from the wireless device user.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in claim  15 , further comprising transferring the payment of at least a portion of the balance due to a billing party.  
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 13  or  14 , further comprising transmitting a payment receipt to the wireless communication device user.  
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the payment receipt is transmitted to a wireless communication device user's mailing address, e-mail address, text message number, or voice mail number.  
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 13  or  14 , further comprising updating account payment records.  
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein in the wireless communication device comprises a cell phone, a personal digital assistant device, or a wireless communication device that receives verbal communication or text messaging.  
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising pre-registering the wireless communication device user.  
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein pre-registering comprises receiving and storing information from the wireless communication device user or a billing party regarding at least one bill payment account.  
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 21 , further comprising creating a name identifier associated with each bill payment account.  
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein pre-registering comprises receiving and storing information from the wireless communication device user regarding a payment option.  
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 23 , wherein the payment option is selected from a group consisting of checks, credit cards, debit cards, or ACH transfer from a bank account.  
     
     
         25 . A method as in  claim 20 , further comprising creating a user identifier associated with the wireless communication device user.  
     
     
         26 . A method as in  claim 25 , wherein the user identifier is the wireless communication device phone number.  
     
     
         27 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the dialing and transmitting is carried out by a host computer system which has a record of when the account payment is due and dials and transmits within a predetermined time frame.  
     
     
         28 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the account balance is not past due.  
     
     
         29 . A method for receiving account payment notification on a wireless communication device, the method comprising: 
 answering a phone call on a wireless communication device;    receiving by a provider a communication relating to an account payment that includes a balance due; and    transmitting payment information in accordance with the balance due to the provider.    
     
     
         30 . A method as in  claim 29 , wherein answering comprises a live verbal response from the wireless communication device user or a voice mail of the wireless communication device user.  
     
     
         31 . A computer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program embodied therein for directing operation of a computer system for a provider, the computer system including a communications system, a processor, and a storage device, wherein the computer-readable program includes instructions for operating the computer system to notify a wireless communication device user regarding an account payment in accordance with the following: 
 dialing a phone number of a wireless communication device; and    transmitting a communication relating to an account payment that includes a balance due.    
     
     
         32 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 31 , wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for operating the computer system for receiving input from a wireless communication device user regarding payment of the balance due.  
     
     
         33 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 32 , wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for operating the computer system for receiving a payment of at least a portion of the balance due in response to the received input from the wireless device user.  
     
     
         34 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 33 , wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for operating the computer system for transferring the payment of at least a portion of the balance to a billing party.  
     
     
         35 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 33  or  34 , wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for operating the computer system for transmitting a payment receipt to the wireless device user.  
     
     
         36 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 33  or  34 , wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for operating the computer system for updating account payment records.  
     
     
         37 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 31 , wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for operating the computer system for receiving and storing pre-registered information on a wireless device communication user.  
     
     
         38 . An account payment notification system, the system comprising: 
 a host computer; and    a database associated with the host computer, the database having a record of pre-registered information on a wireless communication device user including a user identifier, an account payment, and when the account payment is due;    wherein the host computer is configured to dial a phone number of a wireless communication device and transmit a communication relating to the account payment that includes a balance due within a predetermined time period.