Method and Apparatus for Preventing Fraudulent Transactions Online

A method and apparatus for providing fraud protection in purchase transactions made by a customer. The method including the steps of: receiving a purchase request for one or more items having a first price; generating a second price 5 and/or an applied identifier that is unknown to the customer; applying a charge of the second price and/or the applied identifier using payment details provided; receiving data indicative of a third price and/or a recorded identifier; and comparing the data with the second price and/or the applied identifier; wherein if data is equal to the second price and/or applied identifier then finalise the 10 purchase request. Receive purchase request Calculate a customer- 220 unknown price and/or identifier Apply a price and/or identifier Request authentication Receive detail of the 240 price and/or identifier for authentication If authentication 250 completed, finalise purchase request - -- - - ,255 Update database details