System and method for consumer control over card-based transactions

Abstract

A system and method for consumer control over card-based transactions and associated accounts. An interface is provided between a merchant or the merchant's bank and the bank or banks at which the consumer has accounts for card-based transactions. The interface acts as an intermediary, accessible to the consumer so that the consumer may place a variety of controls on card-based transactions. Multiple transaction cards may be linked to a single credit account with each card having a different credit limit, such that the controls comprise restricting each transaction card to a particular merchant, linking, by the consumer, several credit and/or debit accounts to a single transaction card, and pre-selectins a criteria to be utilized for directing charges for a particular transaction to be applied the different accounts. The consumer may access the interface via a web site or telephone for making changes and receiving account information.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.