The invention aids an entity to selectively request additional data about
a user to serve the needs of the entity without causing the user to have
an adverse reaction. The invention helps an entity to determine the
condition under which to request additional data so as to reduce the
likelihood of causing the user to have an adverse reaction, e.g.,
terminate the interaction. One embodiment of the invention concerns
customers requesting transactions with on-line merchants. More
specifically, this embodiment aids merchants by detecting Internet credit
card transactions that are likely to be fraudulent, and providing the
merchants with mechanisms for managing a suspected transaction as it
occurs to obtain additional information that can be useful to reducing
the likelihood of fraud.