METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXECUTING AUTOMATED TRANSACTIONS

A method of and apparatus for controlling a user's private verification information uses a a secure controlled server. When making a purchase, rathe r than the user transmitting their private verification information to a merchant, the merchant contacts the controlled server. During the contact from the merchan t to the controlled server, the merchant identifies the user and any non-private information the merchant has regarding the user as well as the nature of the transaction. If the purchase is valid, the controlled server will authorize the transaction to the merchant. In this way, the user never need transmit its private verification information to the merchant. The merchant only learns whether t he transaction is authorized, and no further information is exchanged. To ascertain whether the transaction is authorized, the controlled server can either make the determination based upon certain predetermined criteria, or contact the user , such as via e-mail. Additionally, the controlled server can provide other service s to the user. The user can establish criteria for receipt of advertisements. Also, t he user can request information regarding a particular item for purchase. The controlled server can also be used to control the timing of the receipt of bills, by electronic means rather than through the mail.