Method and apparatus for preventing wireless fraud

Abstract

Abstract The use of stolen mobile identification number (MIN) and electronic serial number (ESN) information to fraudulently place wireless calls is prevented by having the switches of multiple wireless carriers forward or direct, over a telephone connection, all calls placed from selected MINs to a central authentication platform that serves the multiple wireless carriers. The central authentication platform engages in a so-called "challenge-response" authentication with local processors that are interfaced to the wireless telephones from which non-fraudulent calls originate. The challenge-response authentication uses a shared secret key (S-Key) that is not broadcast over the air interface, thus preventing the key from being "stolen". A call from a wireless telephone that is not interfaced to a local processor capable of successfully completing the challenge-response authentication is blocked, while a call from a wireless telephone having a local processor capable of successfully completing the challenge-response authentication is completed to the number desired by the customer. Advantageously, since the central authentication platform serves multiple wireless carriers, the need for one wireless car to access the database of another is alleviated and the expense of providing additional security is reduced.\!

Inventors

• 👤 Steven Joseph Hodges
• 👤 Zev Chaim Rubenstein

Bibliographic Details