Method and apparatus for automatically reloading a stored value card

Abstract

To facilitate the sale of merchandise using a stored value card (SVC), a method and system are provided to automatically reload an SVC in accordance with automatic reload preferences associated with the SVC account. The preferences include the pre-authorized reload amount, payment method, and the circumstances under which to automatically reload the SVC with the pre-authorized reload amount. The preferences are previously specified by a party associated with the SVC when setting up the automatic reload option. The party is notified when the automatic reload occurs.

1 . A computer-implemented method for automatically reloading a stored value card (SVC), the computer-implemented method comprising:
 as implemented by one or more computing devices configured with specific executable instructions,
 determining that a balance of an account associated with a stored value (SVC) has reached or fallen below a minimum amount specified by a holder of the SVC, wherein the minimum amount has been specified by the holder via a mobile device utilized by the holder; 
 accessing the holder's account preferences for the SVC, the account preferences comprising a reload amount pre-authorized by the holder; 
 incrementing a balance of the account associated with the SVC by the reload amount pre-authorized by the holder of the SVC; and 
 notifying the holder via the mobile device utilized by the holder that the balance of the account has been incremented by the pre-authorized amount. 
   
     
     
         2 - 81 . (canceled)