SECURE REDEMPTION CODE GENERATION FOR GIFT CARDS AND PROMOTIONS

摘要

A stored value card management system and method secures against the fraudulent use of stored value cards. A secure redemption code is generated comprising multiple component parts including a look-up identifier and a secure code. The secure redemption code is printed on a face of a stored value card without any visible demarcation of the component parts. The look-up identifier allows access to stored value card records and a determination of the stored value card's activation status. A hash of the secure code is stored in a separate secure index and validation of the secure hash is required to complete redemption of the stored value card. Access privileges to the card index and secure hash index are distinct and possession of one component of the secure redemption code is not sufficient to redeem the stored value card.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for redeeming value from an activated stored value card using a secure redemption code, comprising:
receiving, at a computer, a request to redeem value from a stored value card, the request comprising a secure redemption code encoded on the stored value card, the secure redemption code comprising a look-up identifier component and a secure code component concatenated together as a single string, the look-up identifier having a matching look-up identifier in a corresponding card record in a card record index, the corresponding card record indicating a status of the stored value card as active or inactive; parsing, by the computer, the secure redemption code into at least the look-up identifier component and the secure code component; verifying, by the computer, that the stored value card is activated by checking an activation status in the stored value card record in the card record index using the look-up identifier; generating, by the computer, a secure storage version of the secure code component by generating a hash of the secure code component; validating, by the computer, the secure code by searching a secure code index comprising a matching secure storage version of the secure code component previously generated and stored in the secure code index when the secure code component was initially generated, the secure code index being separate and distinct from the card record index; and authorizing, by the computer, the redemption request based on identification of a matching secure storage version of the secure code in the validating step.