Any way to verify ownership of character?

[Wisteso]

I've been working on a web based LFG tool to supplement the craptastic usability of the old classic LFG system (much like ahungry.com/eqauctions supplements the EC market). Users could play a different character while LFG, set zones they are/aren't LFG in, etc.

The only real issue left is that... the only way to establish ownership of the character is currently doing it by hand. i.e.: user that wants to use the tool messages me, i create the entry for them in the DB, and message the pin/pass back to them.

Potentially, I could log a "bot" character in to do this in an automated way, but thats really kludgey and I dont know if Rogean/Nilbog would be okay with it...

Is there any way to do this in a better way? I could just say "screw it" like Magelo plugin does on the wiki (you can make an entry for anyone, and lock others out, including the actual owner of the character)... but thats a last resort.

[Exmo]

1) Have them Create an Account
2) Have them Add a Character
3) When Adding a Character, Create the provisional record in the DB
4) Provide them with a short Hash (since copy/paste doesn't work)
5) Build a Log Parser on your machine, leave your character logged in 24/7.
6) Have them send a tell, with the hash, to your character from the character they want to verify.
7) Update the DB to indicate ownership.

[Wisteso]

Yep, thats what I'm thinking, but requiring a character logged in means the server can never be run properly (on a headless server in a hosting center).