Apparatus and method for providing transaction security and/or account security

An apparatus, comprising:

• a receiver, wherein the receiver receives a first message containing information regarding a transaction, wherein the transaction involves an account of or associated with an account holder and information regarding a counterparty involved in the transaction, wherein the first message contains information regarding the first account, the counterparty, and a transaction amount of the transaction, and further wherein the first message is transmitted from a first communication device to the receiver on, over, or via, a communication network, and further wherein the first communication device is associated with the account holder;
• a processing device or a computer, wherein the processing device or the computer processes the information contained in the first message, wherein the processing device or the computer processes information for identifying or ascertaining contact information for or regarding a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is associated with the counterparty, wherein the processing device or the computer determines whether the transaction is authorized or allowed or not authorized or not allowed, and further wherein the processing device or the computer generates a second message containing information regarding whether the transaction is authorized or allowed or not authorized or not allowed, wherein the second message does not contain information regarding the first account;
• and
• a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the second message to the second communication device.