Lock-and-key consumer billing data protection for electronic marketing

A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in an electronic marketing system, comprising the steps of:

• storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and partial billing information;
• enabling a marketer, utilizing the electronic marketing system, to access said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;
• enabling said marketer, utilizing the electronic marketing system, to send an electronic communication offer to a consumer corresponding to said consumer identification information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records;
• receiving a return electronic communication containing a key from said consumer, said return electronic communication indicative that said consumer desires to purchase a product or service offered by said marketer in said electronic communication offer;
• and
• processing an order reflective of said product or service and billing for said order using said key.

A method for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in an electronic marketing system, comprising the steps of:

• storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information and partial billing information;
• enabling a marketer, utilizing the electronic marketing system, to access said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;
• receiving a key from a consumer, indicative that said consumer, who corresponds to said consumer identification information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records, desires to purchase a product or service offered by said marketer;
• and
• processing an order reflective of said product or service and billing for said order using said key.

A system for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in an electronic marketing system that stores a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information, comprising:

• means for sending an electronic communication offer to a consumer corresponding to the consumer identification information stored in one of the plurality of consumer records;
• means for receiving a return electronic communication containing a key from said consumer, said return electronic communication indicative that said consumer desires to purchase a product or service offered in said electronic communication offer;
• and
• means for processing an order for said product or service and billing for said order using the consumer identification information stored in said one of the plurality of consumer records, and said key.

A system for providing a consumer billing data protection capability in an electronic marketing system, comprising:

• storage means for storing a plurality of consumer records, each of which includes consumer identification information;
• means for enabling a marketer, utilizing the electronic marketing system, to access said consumer identification information stored in one of said plurality of consumer records;
• means for enabling said marketer, utilizing the electronic marketing system, to send an electronic communication offer to a consumer corresponding to said consumer identification information stored in said one of said plurality of consumer records;
• means for receiving a return electronic communication containing a key from said consumer, said return electronic communication indicative that said consumer desires to purchase a product or service offered by said marketer in said electronic communication offer;
• and
• means for processing an order reflective of said product or service and billing for said order using said key.