A method for verifying a purported location of a wide area network user is disclosed.
The method comprises the steps of receiving information from a user via a wide
area network, including a purported geographical location of the network user.
A first network address from which the information is received is recorded, and
an access code is generated and recorded. The access code is broadcast in a defined
region that includes the purported geographical location of the user. A user access
code is then received via the wide area network from the user. The user access
code is compared with the access code broadcast in a defined region, and the first
network address is compared to a second network address from which the user access
code is received. If the codes and addresses match, the geographical location of
the user is considered verified and the user may be validated. Various methods
for broadcasting the access code and various systems for implementing the method
are disclosed.
