Communication network and method for processing pre-chargeback disputes

Abstract

A pre-chargeback computer network for processing pre-chargeback dispute messages includes a dispute analyzer (DA) computing device. The DA computing device is configured to receive a dispute message identifying a disputed transaction from an issuer portal over a first communication link, the dispute message including transaction data associated with the disputed transaction and dispute data. The DA computing device is further configured to analyze the transaction data and the dispute data, and route the dispute message over the pre-chargeback network or a separate chargeback network based on the analysis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pre-chargeback computer network for processing pre-chargeback dispute messages, said network comprising:
 a dispute analyzer (DA) computing device in communication with a memory;   an issuer portal; and   a first communication link connecting the issuer portal to the DA computing device,   wherein the DA computing device is configured to:
 receive a dispute message identifying a disputed transaction from the issuer portal over the first communication link, the dispute message including transaction data associated with the disputed transaction and dispute data; 
 analyze the transaction data and the dispute data; and 
 route the dispute message over the pre-chargeback computer network or a separate chargeback network based on the analysis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pre-chargeback computer network of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a merchant portal; and 
 a second communication link connecting the merchant portal to the DA computing device, 
 wherein the DA computing device is further configured to:
 determine that the disputed transaction qualifies as a pre-chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and 
 route the dispute message as a pre-chargeback dispute message to the merchant portal over the second communication link. 
 
 
     
     
         3 . The pre-chargeback computer network of  claim 2 , wherein the DA computing device is further configured to:
 analyze the dispute data to determine a merchant involved in the disputed transaction to receive the pre-chargeback dispute message; and   route the pre-chargeback dispute message to the merchant portal associated with the merchant.   
     
     
         4 . The pre-chargeback computer network of  claim 2 , wherein the merchant portal is configured to display one or more pre-chargeback dispute messages associated with pre-chargeback disputes and accept text entered by the merchant in response to the one or more pre-chargeback dispute messages. 
     
     
         5 . The pre-chargeback computer network of  claim 2 , wherein the DA computing device is further configured to:
 receive a pre-chargeback response message over the second communication link from the merchant portal, wherein the pre-chargeback response message was prepared by the merchant; and   route the pre-chargeback response message over the first communication link to the issuer portal, wherein the pre-chargeback response message is accessible by a cardholder.   
     
     
         6 . The pre-chargeback computer network of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a payment processor; and 
 a third communication link connecting the DA computing device to the payment processor, 
 wherein the DA computing device is further configured to:
 determine that the disputed transaction qualifies as a chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and 
 route the dispute message as a chargeback dispute message to the payment processor over the third communication link. 
 
 
     
     
         7 . The pre-chargeback computer network of  claim 1 , wherein the dispute data includes at least one of (i) a narrative prepared by a cardholder relating to the disputed transaction or (ii) one or more multiple choice options selected by the cardholder relating to the disputed transaction. 
     
     
         8 . The pre-chargeback computer network of  claim 1 , wherein the DA computing device is further configured to determine whether the disputed transaction is a chargeback or a pre-chargeback using at least one of natural language processing, statistical analysis, and machine learning analysis. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method for processing pre-chargeback dispute messages over a pre-chargeback network, said method implemented using a dispute analyzer (DA) computing device, said method comprising:
 receiving, by the DA computing device, a dispute message identifying a disputed transaction from an issuer portal over a first communication link, the dispute message including transaction data associated with the disputed transaction and dispute data;   analyzing, by the DA computing device, the transaction data and the dispute data; and   routing, by the DA computing device, the dispute message over the pre-chargeback network or a separate chargeback network based on the analysis.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 determining, by the DA computing device, that the disputed transaction qualifies as a pre-chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and 
 routing, by the DA computing device, the dispute message as a pre-chargeback dispute message to a merchant portal over a second communication link. 
 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 analyzing, by the DA computing device, the dispute data to determine a merchant involved in the disputed transaction to receive the pre-chargeback dispute message; and 
 routing, by the DA computing device, the pre-chargeback dispute message to the merchant portal associated with the merchant. 
 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 receiving, by the DA computing device, a pre-chargeback response message over the second communication link, wherein the pre-chargeback response message was prepared by a merchant involved in the disputed transaction; and 
 routing, by the DA computing device, the pre-chargeback response message over the first communication link to the issuer portal, wherein the pre-chargeback response message is accessible by a cardholder. 
 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 determining, by the DA computing device, that the disputed transaction qualifies as a chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and 
 routing, by the DA computing device, the dispute message as a chargeback dispute message to a payment processor over a third communication link. 
 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9  further comprising designating, by the DA computing device, the disputed transaction as a chargeback or a pre-chargeback using at least one of natural language processing, statistical methods, and machine learning analysis methods. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes computer-executable instructions for processing pre-chargeback dispute messages over a pre-chargeback network, wherein when executed by a dispute analyzer (DA) computing device comprising at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device, the computer-executable instructions cause the DA computing device to:
 receive a dispute message identifying a disputed transaction from an issuer portal over a first communication link, the dispute message including transaction data associated with the disputed transaction and dispute data;   analyze the transaction data and the dispute data; and   route the dispute message over the pre-chargeback network or a separate chargeback network based on the analysis.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to:
 determine that the disputed transaction qualifies as a pre-chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and   route the dispute message as a pre-chargeback dispute message to a merchant portal over a second communication link.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to:
 analyze the dispute data to determine a merchant involved in the disputed transaction to receive the pre-chargeback dispute message; and   route the pre-chargeback dispute message to the merchant portal associated with the merchant.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to:
 receive a pre-chargeback response message over the second communication link, wherein the pre-chargeback response message was prepared by the merchant; and   route the pre-chargeback response message over the first communication link to the issuer portal, wherein the pre-chargeback response message is accessible by a cardholder.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to:
 determine that the disputed transaction qualifies as a chargeback dispute based on the analysis; and   route the dispute message as a chargeback dispute message to a payment processor over a third communication link.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the DA computing device to determine whether the disputed transaction is a chargeback or a pre-chargeback using at least one of natural language processing, statistical analysis, and machine learning analysis.