Concepts and technologies for handling and screening incoming calls are provided. A processor executing instructions associated with a call handling service can detect that a call from a calling party is being routed, via a communication interface, to a called party device associated with a customer. The processor can obtain caller identification data that specifies an identity that is generated by the calling party and intended to be representative of the calling party when presented to the customer by the called party device. The processor can determine an interface identifier associated with the communication interface, and retrieve a call authentication scenario based on the interface identifier. The call authentication scenario can specify a storage location of data. The processor can obtain the data from the storage location, determine a call handling action, prepare a call handling command, and provide the call handling command to a network.

A telephone call processor for processing telephone calls comprising voice signals and data signals, the call processor comprising a first telephone interface and a second telephone interface, the call processor being operable in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, the call processor is adapted to receive voice signals and data signals at the first telephone interface and to transmit voice signals and data signals via the second telephone interface. In the second mode, the call processor is adapted to receive voice signals and data signals at the first telephone interface, to block data signals from being transmitted via the second telephone interface and optionally to transmit voice signals via the second telephone interface.

A telephone call processor for processing telephone calls comprising voice signals and data signals, the call processor comprising a first telephone interface and a second telephone interface, the call processor being operable in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, the call processor is adapted to receive voice signals and data signals at the first telephone interface and to transmit voice signals and data signals via the second telephone interface. In the second mode, the call processor is adapted to receive voice signals and data signals at the first telephone interface, to block data signals from being transmitted via the second telephone interface and optionally to transmit voice signals via the second telephone interface.

A telephone call processor for processing telephone calls comprising voice signals and data signals, the call processor comprising a first telephone interface and a second telephone interface, the call processor being operable in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, the call processor is adapted to receive voice signals and data signals at the first telephone interface and to transmit voice signals and data signals via the second telephone interface. In the second mode, the call processor is adapted to receive voice signals and data signals at the first telephone interface, to block data signals from being transmitted via the second telephone interface and optionally to transmit voice signals via the second telephone interface.

A telephone call processor for processing telephone calls comprising voice signals and data signals, the call processor comprising a first telephone interface and a second telephone interface, the call processor being operable in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, the call processor is adapted to receive voice signals and data signals at the first telephone interface and to transmit voice signals and data signals via the second telephone interface. In the second mode, the call processor is adapted to receive voice signals and data signals at the first telephone interface, to block data signals from being transmitted via the second telephone interface and optionally to transmit voice signals via the second telephone interface.

The system and method of the present invention may allow a calling party to make a called party to be aware of its intention to establish a call session with it in one or more ways. According to the present invention a calling party may be automatically offered alternatives to voice session or may be allowed to change the silent mode of the called party to a non-silent mode or may be allowed to address a query to a third party via the called party or may be automatically offered to re-establish a connection with a called party if it was disconnected by the called party in error.

The system and method of the present invention may allow a calling party to make a called party to be aware of its intention to establish a call session with it in one or more ways. According to the present invention a calling party may be automatically offered alternatives to voice session or may be allowed to change the silent mode of the called party to a non-silent mode or may be allowed to address a query to a third party via the called party or may be automatically offered to re-establish a connection with a called party if it was disconnected by the called party in error.

A process is proposed that collects minimal personal data of an individual who is conducting a transaction online, either directly or from a third party. The data collected is then matched to a known and validated public profile stored in public and private databases, and a set of Knowledge Based Authentication (KBA) questions are generated from the identified databases and presented to (e.g., displayed or read to via computer generated voice) the consumer for validation of the consumer's identity. Once the individual's identity has been validated, the online transaction by the person can then be authorized.

In an approach to caller ID verification by digital signature, a computing device receives authenticating information associated with a caller. The computing device creates a call record based on the authenticating information. The computing device retrieves additional information associated with the caller. The computing device updates the call record based on the additional information. The computing device retrieves a digital signature associated with the caller. The computing device retrieves public key information associated with the caller. The computing device performs a digital signature assessment based on the public key information. The computing device updates the call record based on the digital signature assessment. The computing device adds timestamp information to the call record. The computing device receives a request from a call recipient device. The computing device communicates information based on the call record to the call recipient device. The computing device marks the call record as expired.

In an approach to caller ID verification by digital signature, a computing device receives authenticating information associated with a caller. The computing device creates a call record based on the authenticating information. The computing device retrieves additional information associated with the caller. The computing device updates the call record based on the additional information. The computing device retrieves a digital signature associated with the caller. The computing device retrieves public key information associated with the caller. The computing device performs a digital signature assessment based on the public key information. The computing device updates the call record based on the digital signature assessment. The computing device adds timestamp information to the call record. The computing device receives a request from a call recipient device. The computing device communicates information based on the call record to the call recipient device. The computing device marks the call record as expired.