Web-based account management for hold and release of funds

摘要

A system and method for qualifying a bidder over a global network for an auction helps to significantly reduce or eliminate commerce fraud. An auction site, for example, enlists the system to maintain bidder funding accounts for prospective bidders. When a bid is placed, the funds are reserved in the bidder's bidder funding account including funds for a deposit if required. In the event that a bidder is not the high bidder, the reserved funds are released. At completion of the auction, the funds may be transferred from the winning bidder's bidder funding account to the seller, and the bid holds are released. A balance in the bidder funding account can be established according to funds deposited in the account in an interest-bearing account or via a line of credit issued from a bank card issuing company or the like.