New online age verification service launched

[September 3rd 2001]

Online merchants that provide age-sensitive products to the public can now verify their customers' ages almost instantaneously, thanks to AgeTrust, a new product introduced today by the Internet Clearninghouse, a fraud investigation and protection company.

AgeTrust is designed to identify the age range of individual consumers involved in an online transaction. In so doing, AgeTrust helps e-commerce companies ensure that their products and services are accessed only by those legally old enough to enjoy them.

Specifically, AgeTrust returns one of five responses regarding the e-customer's age:

• Over 21
• Over 18
• Under 18
• Cannot verify the identity of the consumer
• Uncertain of age

"Industries intended to provide products and services to an adult audience, such as tobacco, alcohol and online gaming, have a true vested interest in making sure that members of their online audience are who they claim to be," said Paul Fichtman, president and CEO of Internet Clearinghouse. "AgeTrust provides businesses selling online with the tools to identify those customers who fall within the legal age limits for their products or services -- as well as those who do not."

Internet Clearinghouse clients will submit the name, address and phone number of a consumer as transactions occur, and the databases will be sourced and, instantaneously, one of the five responses will be returned confirming the customer's age. Clients can easily connect to AgeTrust through Internet Clearinghouse's XML data gateway.

Enhancements to the initial release of AgeTrust are already in development and Internet Clearinghouse is expected to be announcing updates over the next three to six months.

Links
Internet Clearinghouse		http://www.ichonline.com