BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Disclosed embodiments relate generally to computer-driven risk prediction and response, and in some non-limiting embodiments, to a system, method, and computer program product for evaluating location-based risk associated with a remote transaction request.

Technical Considerations

There are many service providers who regularly accept remote transaction requests for the performance of services and/or the delivery of goods at locations other than a regular place of business, locations where they have not or have only sporadically performed services in the past, and/or other locations where they are not in control of the environment in which the service is to be performed. Examples of such service providers include operators of vehicles for hire (e.g., taxi cab drivers or ride-share drivers), delivery personnel (e.g., those who deliver food from restaurants or other items for which a customer may pay upon arrival), home repairpersons (e.g., personnel who fix home appliances on site), and professionals who make “house calls” (e.g., social workers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, etc., who perform services for patients/clients in their homes). Such service providers may be exposed to unforeseen personal and/or economic risks at certain service locations. For example, certain locations may be associated with high rates of crime, unsafe conditions, frequent instances of fraudulent service requests, and/or the like.

Existing systems for addressing this issue generally involve the use of customer review programs which may allow a service provider, upon receiving a service request from a potential customer, to examine reviews and/or ratings of that potential customer from other similarly situated service providers (e.g., service providers from the same company or who may be otherwise participating in the same review program) before deciding whether to accept the service request. However, such systems have several technical limitations. For example, such systems rely on the availability of reviews and/or ratings for the potential customer, and, accordingly, are of no use for evaluating the risk associated with providing services for new customers or customers who have not previously been rated/reviewed in a review program to which the service provider has access. Further, such systems are reactive, rather than predictive, being unable to account for new risk-affecting conditions that have arisen after a potential customer or service location was last reviewed or served.

There is a need in the art for an improved system, method, and computer program product for evaluating location-based risk associated with a remote transaction request, which provides a predictive risk evaluation system rather than a reactive risk evaluation system, which reduces or eliminates reliance on outside data such as voluntarily provided customer reviews and/or reliance on historical data that is specific to the customer requesting service, and which may provide effective risk evaluation even in the absence of such data. There is a need in the art for predictive risk evaluation systems which may augment the efficiency and accuracy of computer-driven risk evaluation systems, and which may be continuously and automatically updated in real time to predict the presence of recently emerging hazardous conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, and generally, provided is an improved system, method, and computer program product for generating location-based risk assessments of service provider transaction requests. Preferably, in non-limiting embodiments, provided is an improved system, method, and computer program product for receiving a transaction identifying a location for a requested service. Preferably, in non-limiting embodiments, provided is an improved system, method, and computer program product for generating a risk score for the transaction. Preferably, in non-limiting embodiments, provided is an improved system, method, and computer program product for communicating the risk score to the service provider system, which causes the service provider system to take at least one action based at least partially on the risk score for the transaction.

According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computer-implemented method for generating location-based risk assessments of service provider transaction requests. The method includes receiving, with at least one processor and from a service provider system, at least one transaction request for at least one transaction between at least one user and the service provider system for at least one requested service. The at least one transaction request identifies at least one location for the at least one requested service. The method also includes generating, with at least one processor, at least one risk score for the at least one transaction based at least partially on the at least one transaction request, the at least one location, and historical transaction data. The method further includes communicating, with at least one processor, the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system. Communicating the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system causes the service provider system to take at least one of the following actions based at least partially on the at least one risk score for the transaction: (i) display at least one indication including information corresponding to the at least one risk score on at least one mobile device of at least one service provider personnel, (ii) prioritize or de-prioritize the at least one transaction in a resolution queue of the service provider system, (iii) automatically accept or decline the at least one transaction in a transaction handler of the service provider system, or (iv) any combination thereof.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, generating the at least one risk score may include determining, with at least one processor, at least one range of standard transaction times for the at least one location based on the historical transaction data. Generating the at least one risk score may also include determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the range of standard transaction times. Generating the at least one risk score may further include, in response to determining that the at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the at least one range of standard transaction times, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, generating the at least one risk score may include determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction or at least one requested time for the at least one requested service is within at least one predetermined time range of at least one previous transaction. Generating the at least one risk score may also include, in response to determining that the at least one requested time is within the at least one predetermined time range, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one requested service may include transportation from the at least one location to at least one destination. Generating the at least one risk score may include determining, with at least one processor, at least one distance between the at least one location and the at least one destination. Generating the at least one risk score may also include determining, with at least one processor, that the at least one distance satisfies at least one distance threshold. Generating the at least one risk score may further include, in response to determining that the at least one distance satisfies the at least one distance threshold, increasing the at least one risk score or increasing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one transaction request may include at least one transaction value, at least one transaction time, the at least one location, and historical service request data for the at least one user. The at least one transaction request may include at least one transaction authorization request message in an electronic payment processing system, and the at least one risk score may be communicated to the service provider system in at least one transaction authorization response message. The at least one transaction request may be a plurality of transaction requests for a plurality of transactions. The at least one risk score may be a plurality of risk scores. Communicating the plurality of risk scores to the service provider system may cause the service provider system to, based at least partially on the plurality of risk scores for the plurality of transactions, prioritize or de-prioritize the plurality of transactions in the resolution queue of the service provider system, which may further cause the service provider system to communicatively connect users and service provider personnel in priority order of transactions in the resolution queue.

According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a system for generating location-based risk assessments of service provider transaction requests. The system includes at least one processor configured or programmed to receive, from a service provider system, at least one transaction request for at least one transaction between at least one user and the service provider system for at least one requested service. The at least one transaction request identifies at least one location for the requested service. The at least one processor is also configured or programmed to generate at least one risk score for the at least one transaction based at least partially on the at least one transaction request, the at least one location, and historical transaction data. The at least one processor is further configured or programmed to communicate the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system. Communicating the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system causes the service provider system to take at least one of the following actions based at least partially on the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction: (i) display at least one indication including information corresponding to the at least one risk score on at least one mobile device of at least one service provider personnel, (ii) prioritize or de-prioritize the at least one transaction in a resolution queue of the service provider system, (iii) automatically accept or decline the at least one transaction in a transaction handler of the service provider system, or (iv) any combination thereof.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, generating the at least one risk score may include determining, with at least one processor, at least one range of standard transaction times for the at least one location based on the historical transaction data. Generating the at least one risk score may also include determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the range of standard transaction times. Generating the at least one risk score may further include, in response to determining that the at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the at least one range of standard transaction times, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, generating the at least one risk score may include determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction or at least one requested time for the at least one requested service is within at least one predetermined time range of at least one previous transaction. Generating the at least one risk score may also include, in response to determining that the at least one requested time is within the at least one predetermined time range, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one requested service may include transportation from the at least one location to at least one destination. Generating the at least one risk score may include determining, with at least one processor, at least one distance between the at least one location and the at least one destination. Generating the at least one risk score may also include determining, with at least one processor, that the at least one distance satisfies at least one distance threshold. Generating the at least one risk score may further include, in response to determining that the at least one distance satisfies the at least one distance threshold, increasing the at least one risk score or increasing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one transaction request may include at least one transaction value, at least one transaction time, the at least one location, and historical service request data for the at least one user. The at least one transaction request may include at least one transaction authorization request message in an electronic payment processing system, and the at least one processor may be further configured or programmed to communicate the at least one risk score to the service provider system in at least one transaction authorization response message. The at least one transaction request may be a plurality of transaction requests for a plurality of transactions. The at least one risk score may be a plurality of risk scores. Communicating the plurality of risk scores to the service provider system may cause the service provider system to, based at least partially on the plurality of risk scores for the plurality of transactions, prioritize or de-prioritize the plurality of transactions in the resolution queue of the service provider system, which may further cause the service provider system to communicatively connect users and service provider personnel in priority order of transactions in the resolution queue.

According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computer program product for generating location-based risk assessments of service provider transaction requests. The computer program product includes at least one non-transitory machine-readable medium having instructions, which, when executed by at least one processer, cause the at least one processor to receive, from a service provider system, at least one transaction request for at least one transaction between at least one user and the service provider system for at least one requested service. The at least one transaction request identifies at least one location for the at least one requested service. The instructions also cause the at least one processor to generate at least one risk score for the at least one transaction based at least partially on the at least one transaction request, the at least one location, and historical transaction data. The instructions further cause the at least one processor to communicate the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system. Communicating the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system causes the service provider system to take at least one of the following actions based at least partially on the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction: (i) display at least one indication including information corresponding to the at least one risk score on at least one mobile device of at least one service provider personnel, (ii) prioritize or de-prioritize the at least one transaction in a resolution queue of the service provider system, (iii) automatically accept or decline the at least one transaction in a transaction handler of the service provider system, or (iv) any combination thereof.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, generating the at least one risk score may include determining, with at least one processor, at least one range of standard transaction times for the at least one location based on the historical transaction data. Generating the at least one risk score may also include determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the range of standard transaction times. Generating the at least one risk score may further include, in response to determining that the at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the at least one range of standard transaction times, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, generating the at least one risk score may include determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction or at least one requested time for the at least one requested service is within at least one predetermined time range of at least one previous transaction. Generating the at least one risk score may also include, in response to determining that the at least one requested time is within the at least one predetermined time range, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one requested service may include transportation from the at least one location to at least one destination. Generating the at least one risk score may include determining, with at least one processor, at least one distance between the at least one location and the at least one destination. Generating the at least one risk score may also include determining, with at least one processor, that the at least one distance satisfies at least one distance threshold. Generating the at least one risk score may further include, in response to determining that the at least one distance satisfies the at least one distance threshold, increasing the at least one risk score or increasing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one transaction request may include at least one transaction value, at least one transaction time, the at least one location, and historical service request data for the at least one user. The at least one transaction request may include at least one transaction authorization request message in an electronic payment processing system, and the instructions may further cause the at least one processor to communicate the at least one risk score to the service provider system in at least one transaction authorization response message.

In further non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one transaction request may be a plurality of transaction requests for a plurality of transactions. The at least one risk score may be a plurality of risk scores. Communicating the plurality of risk scores to the service provider system may cause the service provider system to, based at least partially on the plurality of risk scores for the plurality of transactions, prioritize or de-prioritize the plurality of transactions in the resolution queue of the service provider system, which may further cause the service provider system to communicatively connect users and service provider personnel in priority order of transactions in the resolution queue.

Other preferred and non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present invention will be set forth in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1: A computer-implemented method for generating location-based risk assessments of service provider transaction requests, the method comprising: receiving, with at least one processor and from a service provider system, at least one transaction request for at least one transaction between at least one user and the service provider system for at least one requested service, the at least one transaction request identifying at least one location for the at least one requested service; generating, with at least one processor, at least one risk score for the at least one transaction based at least partially on the at least one transaction request, the at least one location, and historical transaction data; and communicating, with at least one processor, the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system, wherein communicating the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system causes the service provider system to take at least one of the following actions based at least partially on the at least one risk score for the transaction: (i) display at least one indication including information corresponding to the at least one risk score on at least one mobile device of at least one service provider personnel, (ii) prioritize or de-prioritize the at least one transaction in a resolution queue of the service provider system, (iii) automatically accept or decline the at least one transaction in a transaction handler of the service provider system, or (iv) any combination thereof.

Clause 2: The computer-implemented method of clause 1, wherein generating the at least one risk score comprises: determining, with at least one processor, at least one range of standard transaction times for the at least one location based on the historical transaction data; determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the range of standard transaction times; and, in response to determining that the at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the at least one range of standard transaction times, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

Clause 3: The computer-implemented method of clause 1 or 2, wherein generating the at least one risk score comprises: determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction or at least one requested time for the at least one requested service is within at least one predetermined time range of at least one previous transaction; and, in response to determining that the at least one requested time is within the at least one predetermined time range, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

Clause 4: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the at least one requested service comprises transportation from the at least one location to at least one destination, and wherein generating the at least one risk score comprises: determining, with at least one processor, at least one distance between the at least one location and the at least one destination; determining, with at least one processor, that the at least one distance satisfies at least one distance threshold; and, in response to determining that the at least one distance satisfies the at least one distance threshold, increasing the at least one risk score or increasing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

Clause 5: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the at least one transaction request comprises at least one transaction value, at least one transaction time, the at least one location, and historical service request data for the at least one user.

Clause 6: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the at least one transaction request comprises at least one transaction authorization request message in an electronic payment processing system, and wherein the at least one risk score is communicated to the service provider system in at least one transaction authorization response message.

Clause 7: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the at least one transaction request is a plurality of transaction requests for a plurality of transactions, wherein the at least one risk score is a plurality of risk scores, and wherein communicating the plurality of risk scores to the service provider system causes the service provider system to, based at least partially on the plurality of risk scores for the plurality of transactions, prioritize or de-prioritize the plurality of transactions in the resolution queue of the service provider system, which further causes the service provider system to communicatively connect users and service provider personnel in priority order of transactions in the resolution queue.

Clause 8: A system for generating location-based risk assessments of service provider transaction requests, the system comprising at least one processor configured or programmed to: receive, from a service provider system, at least one transaction request for at least one transaction between at least one user and the service provider system for at least one requested service, the at least one transaction request identifying at least one location for the requested service; generate at least one risk score for the at least one transaction based at least partially on the at least one transaction request, the at least one location, and historical transaction data; and communicate the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system, wherein communicating the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system causes the service provider system to take at least one of the following actions based at least partially on the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction: (i) display at least one indication including information corresponding to the at least one risk score on at least one mobile device of at least one service provider personnel, (ii) prioritize or de-prioritize the at least one transaction in a resolution queue of the service provider system, (iii) automatically accept or decline the at least one transaction in a transaction handler of the service provider system, or (iv) any combination thereof.

Clause 9: The system of clause 8, wherein generating the at least one risk score comprises: determining, with at least one processor, at least one range of standard transaction times for the at least one location based on the historical transaction data; determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the at least one range of standard transaction times; and, in response to determining that the at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the at least one range, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

Clause 10: The system of clause 8 or 9, wherein generating the at least one risk score comprises: determining that at least one time of the at least one transaction or at least one requested time for the at least one requested service is within at least one predetermined time range of at least one previous transaction; and, in response to determining that the at least one requested time is within the at least one predetermined time range, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

Clause 11: The system of any of clauses 8-10, wherein the at least one requested service comprises transportation from the at least one location to at least one destination, and wherein generating the at least one risk score comprises: determining at least one distance between the at least one location and the at least one destination; determining that the at least one distance satisfies at least one distance threshold; and, in response to determining that the at least one distance satisfies the at least one distance threshold, increasing the at least one risk score or increasing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

Clause 12: The system of any of clauses 8-11, wherein the at least one transaction request comprises at least one transaction value, at least one transaction time, the at least one location, and historical service request data for the at least one user.

Clause 13: The system of any of clauses 8-12, wherein the at least one transaction request comprises at least one transaction authorization request message in an electronic payment processing system, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured or programmed to communicate the at least one risk score to the service provider system in at least one transaction authorization response message.

Clause 14: The system of any of clauses 8-13, wherein the at least one transaction request is a plurality of transaction requests for a plurality of transactions, wherein the at least one risk score is a plurality of risk scores, and wherein communicating the plurality of risk scores to the service provider system causes the service provider system to, based at least partially on the plurality of risk scores for the plurality of transactions, prioritize or de-prioritize the plurality of transactions in the resolution queue of the service provider system, which further causes the service provider system to communicatively connect users and service provider personnel in priority order of transactions in the resolution queue.

Clause 15: A computer program product for generating location-based risk assessments of service provider transaction requests, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by at least one processer, cause the at least one processor to: receive, from a service provider system, at least one transaction request for at least one transaction between at least one user and the service provider system for at least one requested service, the at least one transaction request identifying at least one location for the at least one requested service; generate at least one risk score for the at least one transaction based at least partially on the at least one transaction request, the at least one location, and historical transaction data; and communicate the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system, wherein communicating the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction to the service provider system causes the service provider system to take at least one of the following actions based at least partially on the at least one risk score for the at least one transaction: (i) display at least one indication including information corresponding to the at least one risk score on at least one mobile device of at least one service provider personnel, (ii) prioritize or de-prioritize the at least one transaction in a resolution queue of the service provider system, (iii) automatically accept or decline the at least one transaction in a transaction handler of the service provider system, or (iv) any combination thereof.

Clause 16: The computer program product of clause 15, wherein generating the at least one risk score comprises: determining, with at least one processor, at least one range of standard transaction times for the at least one location based on the historical transaction data; determining, with at least one processor, that at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the at least one range of standard transaction times; and, in response to determining that the at least one time of the at least one transaction falls within the at least one range, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the risk score.

Clause 17: The computer program product of clause 15 or 16, wherein generating the at least one risk score comprises: determining that at least one time of the at least one transaction or at least one requested time for the at least one requested service is within at least one predetermined time range of at least one previous transaction; and, in response to determining that the at least one requested time is within the at least one predetermined time range, reducing the at least one risk score or reducing at least one weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

Clause 18: The computer program product of any of clauses 15-17, wherein the at least one requested service comprises transportation from the at least one location to at least one destination, and wherein generating the at least one risk score comprises: determining at least one distance between the at least one location and the at least one destination; determining that the at least one distance satisfies at least one distance threshold; and, in response to determining that the at least one distance satisfies the at least one distance threshold, increasing the at least one risk score or increasing a weighted parameter used to generate the at least one risk score.

Clause 19: The computer program product of any of clauses 15-18, wherein the at least one transaction request comprises at least one transaction value, at least one transaction time, the at least one location, and historical service request data for the at least one user.

Clause 20: The computer program product of any of clauses 15-19, wherein the at least one transaction request comprises at least one transaction authorization request message in an electronic payment processing system, and wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor communicate the at least one risk score to the service provider system in at least one transaction authorization response message.

Clause 21; The computer program product of any of clauses 15-20, wherein the at least one transaction request is a plurality of transaction requests for a plurality of transactions, wherein the at least one risk score is a plurality of risk scores, and wherein communicating the plurality of risk scores to the service provider system causes the service provider system to, based at least partially on the plurality of risk scores for the plurality of transactions, prioritize or de-prioritize the plurality of transactions in the resolution queue of the service provider system, which further causes the service provider system to communicatively connect users and service provider personnel in priority order of transactions in the resolution queue.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description, and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

