One-time use credit card number?

YorkshireBoy

thenudeone wrote: »

It may not exist now but I do recall publicity about exactly this product, some years ago. Can't remember who by.

It was Cahoot (and was launched around 2001).

Heinz

pen1 wrote: »

I wanted to do similar recently and used Neteller (www.neteller.com).

You need to open/have a Neteller account, load your account via debit card, credit card, Ukash etc. , then make your online purchase using a Net+ Virtual Prepaid Mastercard:

http://public.neteller.com/content/en/cards_virtual.htm

That's a whole different concept though and not one I wish to consider.

Thanks anyway.

hunter787433

Orbiscom is the technology you're thinking of, and this was recently bought by Mastercard. I just had a quick look at their site to remind myself of the product, and they quote paypal and citi bank as clients.

I hope that helps. If not then as another posters has said, both 3V and Ukash NEO provide you with instant issue,, non-reloadable, virtual prepaid cards - which are primarily designed for this purpose.

rtho782

Did you actually read the neteller link?

One-time use card numbers
Generates a unique 16 digit MasterCard® number for each online purchase. The card numbers can only be used once and never by anyone else.

andyt8

rtho782 wrote: »

Did you actually read the neteller link?

Neteller virtual Net+ card worked fine until they pulled the system at the end of February 2012 at short notice saying sorry but not enough people used it.

Inigo_Montoya

andyt8 wrote: »

Neteller virtual Net+ card worked fine until they pulled the system at the end of February 2012 at short notice saying sorry but not enough people used it.

Just noted today that it has been re-introduced - you can now generate virtual card numbers when you log onto your account

InsideInsurance

I can certainly remember a UK credit card company offering virtual card numbers as a service with it talking about logging on to the online banking, entering some details about the transaction and it would generate a virtual card number for you to use with a very time limited lifespan.

Given the protection you already have for transactions over £100 it was probably decided not to be worth while a service to offer (I cant remember which bank it was that did it either)

Even with a virtual card I would still be careful with who I shop with. A bit of basic checking can avoid a lot of future issues rather than paying another unknown company to give you a temp credit card number

Buzby

I used this service often - it was provided by AIB via their First Trust bank in NI, as well as AIB UK branches. Cahoot also offered it - but all were withdrawn. I was told this was due to customer dissatisfaction, due to any companies attempting to Pre-auth a card number (which the Orbiscom system did not allow).

I spoke with them las year and was told the RBS was supposedly. Going to re-offer the facility, but I never heard of any launch.

The benefit to users was that it stopped merchants playing fast and loose with your money, and once the number had been debited, it was of no further use. Additionally, you could also put a limit on the maximum amount to be debited for that generated number. A superb facility.

bert&ernie

Buzby wrote: »

I used this service often - it was provided by AIB via their First Trust bank in NI, as well as AIB UK branches. Cahoot also offered it - but all were withdrawn. I was told this was due to customer dissatisfaction, due to any companies attempting to Pre-auth a card number (which the Orbiscom system did not allow).

I spoke with them las year and was told the RBS was supposedly. Going to re-offer the facility, but I never heard of any launch.

The benefit to users was that it stopped merchants playing fast and loose with your money, and once the number had been debited, it was of no further use. Additionally, you could also put a limit on the maximum amount to be debited for that generated number. A superb facility.

The Orbiscom controlled payment number system was very little use to most consumers - except perhaps those that wanted to pay potentially unscrupulous merchants (e.g. adult content). Users are mostly indemnified against the risks it seeks to control.

They remain a niche product for the reckless or paranoid. Given the cost of the technology it doesn't make much of a business case for issuers either.

Buzby

'Very little use'? Do tell me how you reach your conclusion. You are seriously mistaken in your assertion that card refunds are fully idemnifiable. These forums are full of complaints of supposedly 'reputable' firms taking payments without the knowledge OR agreement of their customers.

A bank will not refund a Debit card payment simply because the cardholder objects. Their reasoning is that the customer provided the numbers required (and CVV) so they decline to be involved and suggest the merchant be asked.

Strangely, I never used it to purchase adult content - but it sure prevented software firms from taking recurring payments (anyone remember JFAX?). Or car hire firms taking 'damage' fees without agreement, simply because they can.

The consumer is now considerably disadvantaged by the loss - and I'm neither paranoid or reckless. I've better things to do with my life than monitor my cards for unapproved usage. This stopped it dead. And sadly, it has now become an ongoing task once more.