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PayPal Launches Virtual Debit Card

IpSo_ writes "You can now use PayPal via a Virtual Debit Card when making online purchases anywhere MasterCard is accepted. Basically it generates a virtual card number each time you make a transaction online so you don't have to use your personal debit or credit card number. Will people be more comfortable making online purchases with this, or will it flop because its too much of an inconvenience?"

212 comments

  1. Citibank has had this for years by TooMuchToDo · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Citibank says, "Been there, done that."

    1. Re:Citibank has had this for years by prof_peabody · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I don't trust paypal one bit and would be more inclined to get a citibank account to do this. Every person I know who has had a bad transaction has had their account frozen... Terrible customer support also.

    2. Re:Citibank has had this for years by chimpo13 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Google Pay is way nicer than Pay Pal, only eBay recognizes that, and won't let you use Google Pay on eBay. They're not charging a fee until Jan 2008.

      Just don't try to use Google to register a domain name. They haven't worked out the details with GoDaddy and the domain I bought as an Xmas present for a friend of mine is in limbo. GoDaddy says it's a Google problem and there's no way me or any of the supervisors at GoDaddy can get in touch with anyone at Google. Argh.

    3. Re:Citibank has had this for years by KermodeBear · · Score: 1

      I *always* use this when making online purchases. I never use my 'real' credit card number. Yes, it is a little inconvenient to log into another web site, navigate to a few pages, generate a number, and type it into the fields (it is not selectable for copy/paste, being a flash app), but I go through it because, to me, the extra steps are worth the trouble. It doesn't cost me any extra money and it helps reduce fraud, which is good for everyone involved.

      Too bad CitiBank was bought out by Bank of America. When that happened, for a while the website didn't work at all - which meant I wasn't able to pay my bills online (and customer service wouldn't do squat to help me out, since my information somehow disappeared during the migration); now they have resorted to some lame iframing around the original site so they can brand it with BoA's logo.

      At least it works again. I'm considering leaving BoA after this mess, but as an IT guy myself, I know that feces happens so I'm rather forgiving. For now. We'll see what happens later down the road.

      --
      Love sees no species.
    4. Re:Citibank has had this for years by Nanidin · · Score: 1

      Yep - you can do it all online or download an app that does the same thing. It just generates card numbers with your name, address, etc. And it's free. For Visa or Mastercard or whatever else Citi issues.

    5. Re:Citibank has had this for years by AKAImBatman · · Score: 2, Informative
      Too bad CitiBank was bought out by Bank of America. When that happened, for a while the website didn't work at all - which meant I wasn't able to pay my bills online (and customer service wouldn't do squat to help me out, since my information somehow disappeared during the migration); now they have resorted to some lame iframing around the original site so they can brand it with BoA's logo.

      I think you're confusing Citibank with MBNA. I agree that the MBNA/BoA merger was less than stellar. But that's par for the course with BoA as they've always been the first to drop the ball. (IMHO) Citibank will be bought out by Bank of America shortly after the reanimated corpse of Hitler resumes a successful Blitzkrieg against Europe. (i.e. Not gonna happen)
    6. Re:Citibank has had this for years by markov_chain · · Score: 1

      Citibank.com? I don't see any mention of BoA there.

      --
      Tsunami -- You can't bring a good wave down!
    7. Re:Citibank has had this for years by no-body · · Score: 3, Interesting
      Citibank says, "Been there, done that."

      And Paypal said after using up 16 virtual Citi numbers:
      YOUR ACCOUNT HAS BEEN LIMITED


      - the reference number given in the reason did not reveal a case
      - emails to support did not solve the issue
      - talking to support (yes, it is possible at times) did not solve the issue

      Another account needed to be created to use PayPal for business purpose


      After filling out a ridiculouly long survey-like questionaire for this case and mentioning that they would have heard from my attorney would there be any funds on the account, it came to their attention that there may be something wrong and - yes you can now use an unlimited number of credit card numbers...

      No, thank you very much, Pay Pal!

    8. Re:Citibank has had this for years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nice...more ways to max out your credit cards


      Denis The SQL Menace
      http://sqlservercode.blogspot.com/

    9. Re:Citibank has had this for years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "I don't trust paypal one bit and would be more inclined to get a citibank account to do this."

      I don't trust either of them. Banks are in bed with companies like paypal.

    10. Re:Citibank has had this for years by HeroreV · · Score: 1

      PayPal can say the same thing, because they've been doing this for years! I read the linked FAQ to see what the deal with that was, and the last question says the "Virtual Debit Bar" has been discontinued due to the new "Virtual Debit Card". I don't know what all they're changing, but basically similar service has been around for quite a while.

    11. Re:Citibank has had this for years by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      I really don't know anybody that this has happened to. I've had several hundred transactions, I think 300+ unique buyers and never had a problem.

    12. Re:Citibank has had this for years by KermodeBear · · Score: 1

      You're 100% correct, it was MBNA. My bad. My brain has been off on vacation today. )o:

      --
      Love sees no species.
    13. Re:Citibank has had this for years by StikyPad · · Score: 1

      Google Pay is way nicer than Pay Pal, only eBay recognizes that, and won't let you use Google Pay on eBay.

      The fact that eBay owns PayPal could also have something to do with it...

    14. Re:Citibank has had this for years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How does Citibank impliment virtual credit cards? Having used RSA keyfobs for years now, I'm having a hard time understanding why credit card companies don't provide credit cards with dynamic/changing numbers on an LCD screen. (Are these available already and I just haven't seen them??)

      If you go online, to a real store, resturant, whatever and bust out this card, if it has to make a real-time connection to the bank server to authorize anyway, why not have the numbers change every minute? The merchant would be none the wiser, and you'd have far better security. No?

    15. Re:Citibank has had this for years by prizrak · · Score: 1

      It's most likely GoDaddy's problem, I got fed up with them recently and moved my domains to another registrar who accepted google checkout, and it worked without any issues.

    16. Re:Citibank has had this for years by chimpo13 · · Score: 1

      I was on the phone using up my minutes, for 75 minutes the first call, and a couple supervisors. GoDaddy said it was on google's side and they couldn't talk to anyone there. Any idea on how to cancel a registration with google? If I can do that, I can re-register it.

      It'll just point to my friend's blogspot which is owned by google. Once google decides to turn evil, we're all screwed.

  2. Discover have been generating numbers for years... by mdaitc · · Score: 5, Informative
    Discover Card have been generating numbers for years...

    there's the stanadlone App, or the web-based version - the numbers are one-time use, and can be used anywhere - on or off the net.

    why is the rest of the world not keeping up?

  3. Re:So has MBNA by jbtule · · Score: 1

    And thus it's been added to Bank of America credit cards

  4. This is a GREAT idea. by Twixter · · Score: 5, Insightful
    A lot of people will use it for two reasons:

    2.) Online Buying Clarity: You'll be able to view all charges you make on the internet individually and not have it mixed in with your regular credit card bill.

    1.) Privacy: You can use a Credit Card online with it it showing up on your Credit Card Bill. It will be BIG in the online porn world.

    --

    -Todd

    Put down the sig, and step away from the computer.

    1. Re:This is a GREAT idea. by frostyboy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well, it'll still show up on some bill (whatever account you have your paypal linked to), just as a "paypal" transaction and not as a "ccbill" or "paycom" or whatever porn-site cc processor the site uses. If you want real privacy, you would have to go to the mall and buy one of those visa gift-cards with cash. Totally untraceable and you can "assign" any address/name info to them for online merchant use. (Note: Of course I've never actually done this, but hear about it all the time from others.)

      --
      Who is General Failure? And why is he reading my disk????
    2. Re:This is a GREAT idea. by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 1
      It will be BIG in the online porn world.
      Didn't Paypal have some sort of rule against funding pr0n? I seem to remember that being the reason the Jennicam girl gave for shutting her site down way back whenever.
    3. Re:This is a GREAT idea. by ShaunC · · Score: 3, Informative

      You can't use your PayPal account directly to subscribe to (or receive funds for) adult websites, but your PayPal debit card is just a regular Mastercard, as far as purchases go.

      --
      Thanks to the War on Drugs, it's easier to buy meth than it is to buy cold medicine!
    4. Re:This is a GREAT idea. by altek · · Score: 1

      First of all, not sure why this was modded as funny.

      Second of all, it would only show up as a PayPal transaction on your "real" bank account IF you didn't have a paypal balance. If you have a paypal account with an actual balance, it would just come out of there. So YES, it would show up still as a transaction, but only on your PayPal account, so the wife doesn't see your pr0n amazon purchases.

      --
      THE MAGIC WORDS ARE SQUEAMISH OSSIFRAGE
    5. Re:This is a GREAT idea. by muzthe42nd · · Score: 1, Informative

      3) Live in another country and want to be able to purchase stuff online without getting a credit card.

      I live in the UK, and being a student, don't want a credit card because I'm an idiot when it comes to spending money I don't have (When GTA:San Andreas came out, I had £135 in the bank, and went and spent £150 on a PS2 and the game just to play it). When I want to buy stuff online from the states, my only option is paypal. For sites that don't take paypal, I could use this to generate an American card. Tah dah!

      --
      Pfft - Sorry, what?
    6. Re:This is a GREAT idea. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Was this post really worth wasting a mod point to mod down? I personally found it useful and interesting. Mods, go lick an old womans diseased hairy cunt scab, kthx.

    7. Re:This is a GREAT idea. by n0g · · Score: 2, Interesting

      RE: Prepaid debit cards. From an anonymity standpoint, these seem almost ideal. Assuming you fund them with cash, they should be untraceable. I'm surprised there hasn't been a great hue and cry from US Homeland Security because there's no verifiable name attached to them, no SSAN, no driver's license number.

      Are they usable on internet gambling sites? If not, is there a prepaid card that *is* usable?

      Even conventional Visa/Mastercard business cards must have a person's name on them, not just the business name. These seem to get around that requirement too.

    8. Re:This is a GREAT idea. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      RE: Prepaid debit cards. From an anonymity standpoint, these seem almost ideal. Assuming you fund them with cash, they should be untraceable. I'm surprised there hasn't been a great hue and cry from US Homeland Security because there's no verifiable name attached to them, no SSAN, no driver's license number.

      I'd guess the feds don't like them, but the key words in federal law are "ongoing banking relationship". So as long as they just sell the card and don't allow reloads, they technically don't have an ongoing banking relationship with the customer and therefore don't have to check IDs and all the other stuff the normally applies to bank accounts.

    9. Re:This is a GREAT idea. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      About these prepaid Visa and Mastercards.... you can get them at stores like Walmart, Kroger, gas stations etc. Ok fine.

      But the card doesn't have your name on it. Or ANY name on it. So how can you use it in a store or restaurant where they compare the name on the card to your ID?

      I don't understand how you get around that.

  5. This is a new idea? by frostyboy · · Score: 1

    Doesn't every other major credit card bank do this already? I know my AMEX, Discover and Citibank cards already let you go online and generate a one-time-use number. It's handy not only for security purposes, but in case I don't have my wallet with me and need to buy something online. I just have to log into the website and can immediately get a usable number for the purchase.

    --
    Who is General Failure? And why is he reading my disk????
    1. Re:This is a new idea? by CPE1704TKS · · Score: 1

      Not AMEX. They stopped doing this a few years ago. I know because I was a heavy user of this and actually loved it, but I guess it wasn't very popular.

    2. Re:This is a new idea? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How do you not have your CC numbers memorized? After about 5 purchases, I find that the number and the CV code are pretty much engrained for good.

    3. Re:This is a new idea? by szembek · · Score: 1

      No they don't. My credit union doesn't do this, so this is a good thing for me. And your post is redundant. Several other people said that exact same unoriginal thing.

      --
      nothing
  6. American Express as well by sodre · · Score: 1

    It stopped doing it because it flopped.

  7. "Article" is a pop-up window by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    The editors really don't look at this stuff, do they?

    The link goes to the contents of a pop-up window displaying a FAQ that's intended for the BETA USERS of this service.

    "Launched" isn't the word that should be used for the current state.

    1. Re:"Article" is a pop-up window by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      I don't understand what is new about this program, I used a PayPal virtual card very early this year. At least it was something like a one-use number for merchants that don't directly accept PayPal.

  8. It's been around for years by Colin+Smith · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Smile did/do it.

    --
    Deleted
  9. Credit Card companies have had this for years. by ninja_assault_kitten · · Score: 1

    Just call your CC company and ask for a set of disposable CC #s. They're single use for online purchases.

  10. Paypal: We Suck Harder by Tackhead · · Score: 4, Insightful
    > The Card Is Virtual - The Security Is Very Real

    Any time someone claims "the security is very real", the bogometer enters the red.

    > I missed the demo when I downloaded the PayPal Virtual Debit Card. How can I see it again?

    "Downloaded"? You mean this is an application? Bogometer pegged. Spyware sensor into the red.

    > How do I use PayPal Virtual Debit Card?
    >
    > When you are ready to make a purchase on a website that accepts MasterCard, a notifier appears asking if you'd like to pay with PayPal Virtual Debit Card. You can click on the notifier to use PayPal Virtual Debit Card, and you can also always access PayPal Virtual Debit Card from the icons located on your browser's toolbar and system task tray.

    Ah, it's not just a separate application, it's an (IE-only, presumably) Browser Helper Object and/or background service. Not only is the bogometer needle is bent, but the spyware sensor is on fire, and I'm reaching for my wallet, where my small fistful of weathered Federal Reserve Notes is looking mighty comfortable right about now.

    Even by PayPal's standards, this is looking like a galactic-central-black-hole-through-buckytubes pile of suck.

    1. Re:Paypal: We Suck Harder by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 1
      a galactic-central-black-hole-through-buckytubes pile of suck.
      Best. Description. Ever.
    2. Re:Paypal: We Suck Harder by Myself · · Score: 1

      Heh. I was thinking "It might not suck if they bundle a bugmenot-plugin-like browser extension that automatically generates and fills in the number for you when you tell it to", but that would obviously only be a good idea if it were optional.

      You've hit the nail on the head here. The more I learn about PayPal, the less I like them, but the alternatives aren't compelling either. Damn.

    3. Re:Paypal: We Suck Harder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How about the 'beta' release of a program that uses very real(tm) money?

  11. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by garcia · · Score: 4, Interesting

    why is the rest of the world not keeping up?

    Because I have very little use for one of these? My credit card already protects me from fraudulent charges and I'm not worried in the least if someone uses it two states away for gas. If Chase makes me call them when I'm going outside of my "home area" so they don't shut me off, then I'm not concerned if someone steals the card number after I make a purchase online at Newegg.

    If someone uses the card locally, big deal. I call Chase and tell them that the card was stolen and the charge wasn't mine. Not many questions asked.

    For *most* people, they just aren't paranoid enough to use a one time number for their purchases.

  12. Pay-Pal already did this... by eriklou · · Score: 0

    This is not new, they have done it for a long time. Granted this is four+ years ago, they might have pulled it then just now reinstated it. Who knows, I don't like Pay-Pal enough to care.

    1. Re:Pay-Pal already did this... by eriklou · · Score: 0

      Ok, so back when I used it all they did was pop up a window with a temporary Master Card #/Exp date. Nothing like the install stuff on your computer like it appears to be now. Reading the FAQ's is scary. We all know how awesome IE is security wise, then on top of that add the credit card info from Pay-Pal... Can this flop fast enough to actually be good?

  13. It'll flop, but for different reasons by slughead · · Score: 2, Insightful

    will it flop because its too much of an inconvenience?

    It'll flop because paypal is the worst 'bank' to have to deal with. They have poor customer service, the fees are outrageous, phishing is out of control, and the Bank of America already has something like this.

    Ever get accused of not delivering something on E-Bay? It works out pretty well because paypal will just automatically steal the money out of your account, or send debt collection on your ass if you don't have the balance.

    This all happens before they even talk to you. This is why I use neither E-bay nor paypal.

    1. Re:It'll flop, but for different reasons by martok · · Score: 1

      I'm not a big fan of this one myself. Mainly because the funds are withdrawn from Paypal balance or chequing account. Paypal gets their 2%-3.5% from the merchant and I don't see any of that. With a regular credit card, I can get 1% cashback on the transaction as well as 30 days interest free before I actually have to pay. These vurtual cards unless offered directly by the card issuer (I believe Amex does this) don't offer the same consumer benefits.

      Besides, if by chance an evil website logs my cc number and distributes it through all the underground channels, I'm not liable in any case so where's the advantage?

    2. Re:It'll flop, but for different reasons by MykeBNY · · Score: 1

      Besides, if by chance an evil website logs my cc number and distributes it through all the underground channels, I'm not liable in any case so where's the advantage?

      As someone who just recently had his credit card number stolen, I can see one advantage: You won't be cc-less for a week or two as your credit company invalidates your existing card and mails you a new one.

      I agree, though, I'd much rather this be a feature of my credit card directly, rather than PayPal, which I use only out of its necessity and ubiquitousness. (Yes, I could mail a money order, but that's too inconvenient for me.)

    3. Re:It'll flop, but for different reasons by jrockway · · Score: 1

      > You won't be cc-less for a week or two as your credit company invalidates your existing card and mails you a new one.

      Amex is a little different here. They send new cards via overnight UPS or FedEx, so you don't have to wait very long. Among other things, it's surprising how non-shitty of a credit card company they are.

      --
      My other car is first.
  14. accountability by Speare · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How about asking, "Will it finally force PayPal to follow US Federal Law regarding financial institutions, or will it continue to act as with capricious disregard for facts and evidence when there's a payment dispute?"

    --
    [ .sig file not found ]
    1. Re:accountability by loraksus · · Score: 1

      No, they will claim since a number was generated, it had to be you ("only you know the password")and you're responsible for the charges. And since the thieving motherfuckers took the funds from your checking account, you have no recourse with your bank.

      --
      1q2w3e4r5t6y7u8i9o0pqawsedrftgthyjukilo;p'azsxdcfv gbhnjmk,l.;/
    2. Re:accountability by giminy · · Score: 2, Informative

      Hear hear.

      I just filed a paypal dispute (seller "shipped" but I never received anything). The seller never responded to the dispute in the 30 days they had, and paypal ruled thusly:

      "We have decided in your favor, however, we were unable to recover any funds
      from the seller's account. As stated in the PayPal User Agreement, recovery
      of funds associated with a Buyer Complaint cannot be guaranteed."

      That sure is some great buyer protection they have. Thank goodness my credit card company is actually a bank, and I can do a chargeback against Paypal :).

      --
      The Right Reverend K. Reid Wightman,
    3. Re:accountability by sweede · · Score: 1

      A couple months ago my paypal (and ebay) account got keylogged and was used too buy ~$800 worth of products. I called paypal when i found this and they stopped my account transactions, called my bank and informed them of what happened, my bank called me to verify and sign a stop payment too paypal form and fax back.

      However it was too late, $800 hit my bank account (which happen to be the same time 2 credit card bills and my rent check all hit) and I ended up after overdraft fee's, something like, $1400 in the red.

      They also used about $500 of additional funds from a credit card i have attached too that account.

      I didnt have access too my bank acount for two weeks while the charges were sorted out, but long story short, paypal reclaimed every dollar that was spent. The bank and my credit card (WaMu.. go figure) reversed all of my overdraft charges and all has been well since..

      Ebay on the other hand.. is a crooked motherf... I called them and told them that there was several auctions that were fraudently placed while i was away. Their "fraud" support staff said that the tools they use shown no evidence of my account being used without my authorization and no suspicious charges were places. So I managed too rack up 2 non-paying bidder strikes on my account because the sellers are dicks.

      But then, everyone has their own Good / Bad / Ugly story. Hopefully i dont have a bad and/or ugly paypal story anytime soon.

      --
      I follow the SDK and GDN principles.. Spelling Dont Kount, Grammer Dont Neither
    4. Re:accountability by ShaunC · · Score: 1
      Thank goodness my credit card company is actually a bank, and I can do a chargeback against Paypal :).
      Be prepared: the moment that chargeback hits, your PayPal account will be locked until you transfer funds from another source to cover the amount of the chargeback. It's a good way to close your PayPal account, but if you use it regularly, your best option is (unfortunately) to suck it up and cut your losses.
      --
      Thanks to the War on Drugs, it's easier to buy meth than it is to buy cold medicine!
  15. Does it work with Allofmp3.com? by jaymzter · · Score: 1

    If not, why are they being subservient to the RIAA?

    --
    If thou see a fair woman pay court to her, for thus thou wilt obtain love
  16. Old news by jesboat · · Score: 1

    As others have pointed out, many companies have been offering this for a while.

    That list includes PayPal: back before eBay bought PayPal (at least four years ago), PayPal had a directory of shops. They had a feature where, if you added a credit card to your account, it'd let you browse the web with a frame at the top of the window (IIRC) with a virtual Visa/MasterCard number which you could use to buy things.

    1. Re:Old news by 241comp · · Score: 1

      And you could still do this (they never disabled this feature) as long as you knew what URL to go to. I've been using it for years.

    2. Re:Old news by MykeBNY · · Score: 1

      I was looking for a comment that pointed that out. I used this feature once and forgot about it, but went looking for it later and couldn't find it.

  17. So has Paypal by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    They took it away for a time, but apparently now it's back. The only difference I can see between the old Virtual Debit Card and the new one is the random account number generator.

    --
    SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
  18. Obligitory Futurama quote by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Fry: "Do you take Visa?"
    Clerk: "Visa hasn't existed for five hundred years."
    Fry: "American Express?"
    Clerk: "Six hundred years."
    Fry: "Discover Card?"
    Clerk: "Hmm... sorry, we don't take Discover."

    1. Re:Obligitory Futurama quote by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ya know, that cheeses me off. That means somehow Fry got an AmEx.

      *I* can't even get a freakin AmEx (any type) and I'm much better off than Fry...

    2. Re:Obligitory Futurama quote by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Ya know, that cheeses me off. That means somehow Fry got an AmEx. *I* can't even get a freakin AmEx (any type) and I'm much better off than Fry...
      Even Ford Prefect managed to get an American Express account...
  19. new paying systems by dheera · · Score: 1

    i don't understand the point of these systems. on a related note, does anyone understand BillMeLater? doesn't it just sound like a credit card on top of a credit card and another way to lose your money if someone ID-thefts you?

    what's wrong with the bank's debit card (if you want it) and a credit card of your choice?

  20. Well... this sucks. by mark-t · · Score: 4, Insightful

    From their QA about the virtual debit card:

    Q: What are the system requirements for PayPal Virtual Debit Card?

    A: PayPal Virtual Debit Card is compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later. Other system requirements include:

    Operating System: Windows 98, ME, 2000, NT, or XP
    CPU: 133 MHz or higher
    Memory: 128 MB RAM
    Hard Disk: 2 MB space available
    Internet Connection: 56K modem (Broadband recommended for optimal performance)
    Web Browser: IE 5.01 or later

    Need I say more?

  21. stop beeing so US centric by perler · · Score: 1

    for people outside the US this will be a good thing (TM). here in europe, credit cards aren't so popular as in the US and shop's who only offer payement by credit card (nytimes.com comes to my mind) are just not usable for me (not haveing a CC) so, when paypal finally launches their product, i can stop doing these buys with my mother's CC.

    1. Re:stop beeing so US centric by giorgiofr · · Score: 1

      WTF are you saying? I don't know anyone who doesn't have one or more.

      --
      Global warming is a cube.
    2. Re:stop beeing so US centric by Cederic · · Score: 1


      Depends which part of Europe.

      In the UK credit cards are prevalent. In France they have a whole other scheme, other European countries have mixed levels of take-up.

      So most of the people I know have a card, but I live in the UK. I can easily believe that a random person in Italy wouldn't have one.

      Which does raise an interesting question - how do Europeans pay for goods and services online?

    3. Re:stop beeing so US centric by perler · · Score: 1
      see subject for god's sake..

      PAT

    4. Re:stop beeing so US centric by pafrusurewa · · Score: 1
      Which does raise an interesting question - how do Europeans pay for goods and services online?
      I do have a credit card but to answer your question: bank transfers (initiated either by the sender or the vendor) are fast, easy and cheap within the EU if you use automatic routing information (BIC/IBAN) and most online vendors will give you that option -- even in the UK, same system, but many Brits don't know that and won't accept or use bank transfers from other EU countries.

      If both parties are within the Eurozone it's even free (that means cheaper than credit cards for businesses), recipients in the UK will typically pay a pound or two to recieve Euro transfers.
    5. Re:stop beeing so US centric by giorgiofr · · Score: 1

      That's funny, considering I *am* a random person in Italy and pretty much everyone else I know is a random person in Italy too... and we *all* have credit cards.
      As for paying stuff online: we pay it by *credit card* of course, or maybe PayPal.

      --
      Global warming is a cube.
    6. Re:stop beeing so US centric by Cederic · · Score: 1


      Bah. Knew I should have picked a country that wasn't Italy.

  22. Liability? by rhainman · · Score: 2, Informative

    What happens if you are a victim of a fraudulent purchase and you need to do a chargeback? Is it even possible? I assume it's harder to do because the money has already been paid in full from your own personal account and not from the card issuer's account.

    1. Re:Liability? by loraksus · · Score: 1

      Good luck trying to contact paypal in the first place to actually file the chargeback.
      Once you've spent 5 hours on the phone with them getting to the right department, you'll find out that it will be quite some time before you get your money back.

      And if you think you can file a chargeback against paypal - sure, you can, if you don't mind them freezing your account and taking the money out of your bank account...

      --
      1q2w3e4r5t6y7u8i9o0pqawsedrftgthyjukilo;p'azsxdcfv gbhnjmk,l.;/
    2. Re:Liability? by raind · · Score: 1

      I don' have a link but not to long ago someone exploded a bomb outside their headquarters.

      --
      Get up!
  23. If only Paypal would allow the same by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Really strange for Paypal to offer their own virtual card number and call it a feature, when they themselves don't support the use of virtual credit card numbers themselves.

    Make "too many" credit card changes to your Paypal account and you'll see it locked. You become a special member when each future credit card has to be approved before use. By the way, they also charge for this feature. Sure they chargeback the fee when you make a purchase, but why do this to begin with ?

  24. Hasn't Paypal done this for years? by CliffSpradlin · · Score: 1

    I am sure I've used this several years ago, it would make a frame in the top of the browser with the temporary number, and then you could browse any site you wanted to shop underneath and use it there.

    I seem to also remember there being issues with lots of places not taking these cards due to extreme fraud.

    -Cliff

    1. Re:Hasn't Paypal done this for years? by tgtanman · · Score: 1

      Apparently, the difference between this and the old Virtual Debit Card is that the new one provides a CVV2 number (the security code on the back). I've been using the old system online for a while and I've never had a problem with websites needing a security code (I think entering 000 makes it work?)

    2. Re:Hasn't Paypal done this for years? by CliffSpradlin · · Score: 1

      Isn't that kind of irrelevent? I thought that CVV was designed so that you'd need physical access to the card, and not just an impression of it (which is why it's printed and not pressed into the card). If so, this card is not physical in any way and such a value would make no difference in its security.

    3. Re:Hasn't Paypal done this for years? by wmshub · · Score: 1

      CVV is the same each time you use it. A compromised site could be modified to store the CVV and the number of the card, then the thief can take these and use your card all they want.

      With the paypal system, it is supposed to be safe because the number is only usable *once* before you have to get a new one.

      Of course, if somebody can get your paypal password, then all bets are off...but that's just a small problem, right?

  25. If you ever contacted PayPal you know the answer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Here's how PayPal responded (after 3 business days) to my question about one of my transactions. It took me three (3) tries to get a real answer out of them, which was basically: "You'll have to contact the seller".

    I will never use PayPal for anything other than cheap crap (less than $100) I buy occasionally on ebay.

    Dear A.C.,

    Due to an increase in seasonal email volumes, we may not have been able to
    answer your email.

    If your inquiry has not been resolved or you have further questions
    regarding your PayPal account please call 1-402-938-3531.

    Thank you for choosing PayPal!

  26. Stay away from paypal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If only because of their "customer service". I also got the impression they are not in control of their own system. Like the time I had to change something on my account, and I filled in the form, and wanted to click the Submit button -- there was no submit button.

  27. Similar to a OTP by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This is like PAM-OTP, which I like very much. One-Time-Passwords would be an awesome way to manage credit card purchases; like say, you need to be certified to handle a credit card, but you can withdraw X dollars max no matter who you are via a OTP. If this was implemented I could tell, say, Mastercard, "Generate 15 passwords for me: 5 $5, 5 $50, and 5 $100," and then use those to OTP out purchases. If I use a $100 password to buy a $75 item, $75 is charged and that password is invalid; if I try to use it to buy a $110 item, $100 is charged and I owe $10 to the seller.

    1. Re:Similar to a OTP by jroysdon · · Score: 1

      Yup, at least that's what MBNA (now BankAmerica) has had for a long time. You can lock in the amount and when the card number expires (minimum is 2 months). I love it, and don't worry about shopping online or even via the phone (since I only have a cell phone), since the number is basically useless since I set the limit to the rounded up dollar amount of my purchase.

      I also found it useful for sites that wouldn't tell me the tax and shipping costs until AFTER I entered in my creditcard. I'd limit it to the purchase plus what I thought the tax and max shipping cost would be, and this kept the website from charging some stupid extra fees. With MBNA/BofA you can also increase the amount. I don't recall if you can change/extend the expiration date.

      I've used the Citibank feature once as well, but that was only because MBNA was merging into BofA and they had the account access down and/or their "ShopSafe" feature wasn't online yet. I don't recall much about the CitiBank one, but I believe there were a few features lacking.

      One thing I also like with the MBNA one is you can see the minute a hold (or whatever it is called) is put on funds, as the available amount of money left on the card number goes down, so you know once they've run the transactions.

      I just wish there was a way to do this in person, so there wouldn't be fears of the Dollar Store employees ripping you off. Somehow I think stores would freak if you were told them, "Hold on while I generate a temporary virtual credit card number for you."

  28. Has it's uses by redcaboodle · · Score: 1

    If this works here in Germany I'll be mighty happy. I do not have a credit card, since a debit card works better here.

    There are some things I might occasionally need a credit card for (mostly Pearson exams). My Dad won't let me uses his so a one-time card would be just the thing.

    --
    -- Put crudely, the world is an extremely large problem instance. (Russel/Norvig Artificial Intelligence)
  29. Paypal itself is virtual by tsstahl · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Paypal is not a bank.

    Paypal is not a savings and loan.

    Paypal is not a retail store.

    Paypal is not an insurance company.

    Paypal is not a manufacturing company

    Paypal is not an exchange of any kind.

    Paypal is not a foundation committed to a cause.

    What argument could then persuade me to trust them with money that is most certainly NOT virtual?

    I'm not someone with a cross to bear. Paypal has never screwed me over, and the idea of paypal is very appealing. However, the practices of Paypal have been and are egregious for very little benefit to the average consumer. Even as a small business owner, the appeal of Paypal as it currently operates is scant.

    Just mod me as flamebait, I guess. In the immortal words of Tom Hanks in Big, I don't get it!

    1. Re:Paypal itself is virtual by redcaboodle · · Score: 1

      PayPal is a way to easily pay for things around the world for those who do not have credit cards.

      If I want to pay for something in the States or UK, I have to go to my bank's branch office, get a foreign money order and send that per registered mail. Takes time and costs a helluva lot of extra cash. Been there, done that, bought the doublet

      If I pay by Paypal, the money is credited to the recipient immediatly (even though it is deducted from my account a few days later). Obviously the old banks have slept through a trend here or are too greedy to offer such a reliatively cheap service. Bad luck.

      --
      -- Put crudely, the world is an extremely large problem instance. (Russel/Norvig Artificial Intelligence)
    2. Re:Paypal itself is virtual by LunaticTippy · · Score: 1

      My friend bought a custom musical instrument from overseas recently. The payment choices were a)2 bank wire transfer with unspecified charges at the 2nd bank and US$50 for the 1st bank. Estimated time was 5-10 days. b)paypal - instant, free (for buyer, 3% or so for seller so $30 on a $1000 purchase)

      In this instance, paypal was the sanest option.

      --
      Man, you really need that seminar!
    3. Re:Paypal itself is virtual by tsstahl · · Score: 2, Informative

      I see. So, not only is Paypal immune to US banking law, they are free of international monetary regulation.

      I would agree that in the example you cited, Paypal was the best choice.

      The determination of quality in any operation is not delivering the product when everything goes as planned. Quality is demonstrated when transactions fall outside of normal parameters. Paypal has failed by most reasonable standards when it comes to handling...reverse transactions for lack of a better term.

      I suppose you could argue that Paypal does so well at settling international transactions because of their capricious use of their control over your funds.

      I'll freely stipulate that Paypal is useful when everything proceeds normally. The threat/chilling effect/risk of Paypal doing Bad Things to me still outweighs their usefulness in my mind. I am sincerely glad that a lot of people find Paypal useful because, as I said in the parent post, the idea of a Paypal service is intriguing, useful, and downright needed for the net to continue growing.

    4. Re:Paypal itself is virtual by LunaticTippy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I agree that paypal should be subject to laws. It is somewhat unsettling to think that there is little recourse should things go against my best interests. I have made hundreds of paypal transactions without problem, though. I continue to use it. The handful of boundary cases (not receiving an item, falsely accused of not sending an item) were all resolved in my favor, but I made sure to do everything properly. If you miss a deadline you are screwed. If you don't have proof of delivery you are screwed. From what I hear, sometimes for no discernable reason at all, you are screwed. It just hasn't happened to me yet.

      It is a transition period in "internet banking." I predict that within 10 years there will be international regulation of this type of bank, and there will be various entities that provide this type of service. Normal banks will have to evolve or perish. So will paypal. I'd like there to be more options, but it is very difficult to reach critical mass at this point. It speaks volumes that Google will be lucky to get it's payment service off the ground.

      --
      Man, you really need that seminar!
    5. Re:Paypal itself is virtual by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 2, Interesting

      True. But everything else on the Internet is virtual too. But the money I made using PayPal when selling my products is real. I've had maybe 500 transactions via Paypal and they have not lost or stolen my money, ever. When I was starting out, PayPal allowed me to accept payments by credit card without having to spend $20+ a month on a merchant account. The PayPal fees were a little higher than CC merchant fees, but not having a monthly fee, and having built-in shipping services paid for itself. That way, I could print USPS First Class or UPS labels within PayPal without having to pay $16/mo to Pitney Bowes, Stamps.com or Endicia to do the same thing.

      Frankly, I think the reports of PayPal ripping people off are blown out of proportion. I don't personally know of anyone that's had any problems with their account and I'm fairly happy with their system.

    6. Re:Paypal itself is virtual by Cederic · · Score: 2, Insightful


      You've described the "everything works as expected" use case.

      It's the other routes through the paypal value chain that scare me senseless.

    7. Re:Paypal itself is virtual by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've had maybe 500 transactions via Paypal and they have not lost or stolen my money, ever. Yet.
    8. Re:Paypal itself is virtual by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      But the track record is very good. Much better than through any CC merchant account, I believe, and I've seen some horror stories with those, I know some merchants that were seriously ripped through their merchant accounts. In contrast, I'm not convinced that the anti-PayPal stuff is anything but FUD.

  30. Oh it'll flop alright. by drdanny_orig · · Score: 0, Redundant
    or will it flop because its too much of an inconvenience?
    No, it'll flop because it's PayPal. Does anyone trust those people?
    --
    .nosig
  31. You could always do that with PayPal by ahecht · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Paypal has had that feature working with any browser, without installing any BHOs (or whatever the IE only software is they require now), and without having to be invited to the beta. Just go to https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/shop/v debit/

    This feature has been around for years and years.

    1. Re:You could always do that with PayPal by assassinator42 · · Score: 1

      Is that linked to anywhere from the PayPal site? I know I've used it before, a while ago. The question is: Is PayPal calling this a new service, or did the submitter find an old pop-up and mistake it for new?

    2. Re:You could always do that with PayPal by The+Cisco+Kid · · Score: 1

      It is no longer linked anywhere from paypal. Theyve ceased supporting it or offering it to anyone that wasnt already using it. They 'new' virtual card isnt a popup, its a windows-only application.

    3. Re:You could always do that with PayPal by dwayrynen · · Score: 1

      Yes, for over 5 years. ;-)

      Paypal Debit Bar.

      http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/91 4441

      What I want to know is if I get the cash back bonus using their virtual credit card like I would with the real one. ;-)

  32. Old news? by LouisZepher · · Score: 1

    I could've sworn Pay Pal did this sort of thing years ago. I certainly remember using it long before I got the Pay Pal card or could use my normal bank cards for debit.

    1. Re:Old news? by docbrazen · · Score: 1

      This is old news to me. I have been using PayPal's virtual debt card for at least a year or two to pay for many of my online services that require a credit card. The system was pretty simple: you went to PayPal's website and typed in the URL of the store or service you wanted and then you would be redirected to the site along with a pop-up window of your virtual debt card information to use. I used it a number of times and then it disappeared off PayPal's website, but the card number generated for my account kept working and so I kept using it. What was strange was I never received a CCV code and I would just enter anything like 000 or something random when it was required.

  33. Are you my mother? by Overzeetop · · Score: 1

    That's what popped into my ming reading your post.

    Still, you're correct. Paypal is about the last corporation I would trust with my money. I have an account which I use for ebay purposes, and it's liked to a small, lightly used checking account separate from my "real" account. I never pay with instant transfer, always using a CC as an intermediary.

    As for OTU numbers - I loved them when I had them. Amex canned their program years ago. Visa/MC don't have a system wide program, and my card of choice - Chase - doesn't offer it. I have a discover card for the business, but that's pretty much only because I hate carrying cash at Sams, and I value my money too much to play Debit-roulette with my bank account (if someone scams my CC#, I want it to be somebody else's money they take, not mine).

    I'd use OTU numbers exclusively online if I could - the extra "inconvenience" is trivial, imho. Hell, I'd use OTU numbers for physical transactions if I could.

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
    1. Re:Are you my mother? by jroysdon · · Score: 1

      Tell Chase you want to see this feature and that you're considering switching to MBNA/BankAmerica and/or CitiBank which both offer it. When enough people complain, they'll jump on it.

  34. Online Gambling by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    what about online gambling, if this one-time CC number works like real ones does that mean i should be able to gamble with my money *from* paypal ?

  35. Boo! Citibank has been doing this for years! by marcgvky · · Score: 1

    Shame on PayPal for making this look like they have enabled PIN debit transactions over the Net. PayPal worded this VERY intentionally to make people in the transaction processing world pay attention; by calling it a virtual debit card the implication is PIN debit transactions.

    This is just a copy cat of Citibanks long-standing program of temporary numbers.... and that systems works well.

    YAWN.

    1. Re:Boo! Citibank has been doing this for years! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, they're calling it a "debit" card because it pulls from a standing balance instead of a line of credit - so it's not a "credit" card. (So what else would you call it?)

    2. Re:Boo! Citibank has been doing this for years! by The+Cisco+Kid · · Score: 1

      "Debit/Credit" is and always has been a misnomer, and the wrong thing for the cashier to ask.
      The correct thing for the cashier to ask is " 'ATM/PIN', or 'Visa/MC/Discover'? "

      ATM/PIN (usually labeled 'debit' on POS terminals) is pretty much always 'debit' (it takes it out of funds already deposited on account).

      Visa/MC (usually labeled 'credit' on POS terminals) can be either 'debit or credit (and the cashier does NOT need to know which it is to process it, even though shes pressing a 'credit' button on her terminal - the problem is the buttons are labeled wrong)

      "Debit" and "Credit" refer to wether you are paying with borrowed money, or with money you already have on deposit.

      A "Visa/Master/Discover" card (which can be used online, or at a register with a signature providing authorization" can be either credit (you are borrwing) OR debit (its coming right out of your checking account (or paypal account)

      An ATM card can be used at a brick and morter register, or at an ATM. I'm not aware of the use of ATM card with PIN authorization anywhere online.

      And for the record, Paypals 'debit' cards (virtual or physical) really are 'debit' cards - they take the funds directly out of your paypal account. (Paypal does offer 'credit' cards as well, although the usual 'application and credit score check' procesdure applies there, which is not the case with the debit cards.

    3. Re:Boo! Citibank has been doing this for years! by marcgvky · · Score: 1

      Precisely! The buyer either barrows money or pays cash. When it really matters... the person who really knows the difference is the merchant. And VisaNet doesn't want to allow PIN debit over the Internet because they are already hermoraging at the Point of Sale :-)

    4. Re:Boo! Citibank has been doing this for years! by The+Cisco+Kid · · Score: 1

      The merchant does NOT need to know wether my Visa card is a 'Debit' or a 'Credit' - they process it the same either way. Only the card *issuer* needs to know. Online merchants dont ask, becuase they only take Visa (and/or MC/Discover/Amex/etc), and dont/cant accept ATM/PIN.

      B&M merchants ask 'Debit or Credit', but they are asking the wrong question (mainly becuase their POS terminal is also labeled that way, wrongly)

      The 'credit' key should be labeled 'Visa/MC/Discover/etc w/signature' (regardless of wether it is a 'credit card' or a 'debit' card), and the 'debit' key should really be labeled 'ATM w/PIN'.

      The point is that Paypals card (virtual or otherwise) really is a debit card, in that it withdraws from your funds-on-deposit with them. 'debit' does NOT mean 'ATM/PIN'.

    5. Re:Boo! Citibank has been doing this for years! by marcgvky · · Score: 1

      OK, the merchant cares because of the discount rate on credit vs. lower fees for PIN debit. And actually, the issuer couldn't care less, they just return an advice to the network. Enough on this point. Actually, not enough. You are wrong, the what is technically happening is Credit, Debit, or PIN Debit. And wrong again, the issuer returns advice is based on an industry term called room-to-buy (on credit) and cash-on-account (for Debit and PIN Debit). UGH, I give up ;-)

    6. Re:Boo! Citibank has been doing this for years! by The+Cisco+Kid · · Score: 1

      Yes but 'Credit' on their terminal, really means 'Visa (MC/Discover/etc), and it doesnt matter wether that Visa (etc) is a "Credit" or a "Debit".

      There are two methods a merchant can 'charge' card:

      1. "Visa(MC/etc)". This is usually mislabeled as "Credit" on their POS terminal.
      2. "ATM w/PIN". This is usually mislabeled as "Debit" on their POS terminal.

      There is no technical reason a financial institution couldnt issue a card that worked as an ATM card with PIN, but which, instead of withdrawing from a deposit account, drew against a line of credit. There might be political, legal, and/or economic reasons.

      The confusion stems from conflating the mechanisms a merchant can use to authorize and accept a payment from a card issuer (on behalf of a card holder) via the merchants financial institution, with the mechanisms a card issuer uses to collect that payment from the card holder. The former does NOT require knowledge of the latter.

      The merchant either uses 'Visa(MC/etc)' or 'ATM w/pin'.

      Card issuers can extend credit ("credit"), or they can deduct from funds already on deposit ("debit").

      Curently (in the US, at least) there are three flavors of cards (some cards may be multi-flavor).

      1. A "Visa(MC/etc)" card which is a 'Credit Card'. You do not deposit funds in advance, but instead charges count against a (possible) credit limit, and you pay interest.

      2. A "Visa(MC/etc)" card which is a 'Debit Card'. Funds are deposited in advance. Sometimes the deposits are to a checking account, sometimes not (Paypal, and 'gift' cards offered by many card issuers)

      (For both 1. and 2., a clerk will be hitting 'Credit' on a POS terminal to process the charge, and DOES NOT need to know which of the types above is being used - the cardholder will have to provide a signature to authorize the transaction, although this seems to be waived in some instances)

      3. ATM cards associated with a checking account.

      The 'Debit' button on POS terminals will process a charge to this type of account. The cardholder will need to enter their PIN to authorize the transaction.

      The real confusion is that there are two types of 'debit' cards. If you have a card as described by 2. above, and the clerk asks 'credit or debit?', if you say debit, the clerk will try to process it as type 3, becuase 'debit' doesnt differentiate between the two. This is because the clerk is asking the wrong question. The right question is "Visa(MC/etc - or they can look at the logo on the card) or ATM/PIN?".

      I have a card which is both 2. and 3. above (with a Visa logo) It is 'debit' regardless of wether it is processed as 'Visa' or as 'ATM'. Since the ATM networks charge me a dollar per transaction, I prefer it processed as a Visa. That it is debit is irrelevant, and when I get the wrong 'debit or credit?' question I just ignore it and answer the correct question with 'Visa', and sometimes I point out the mislabeling of their terminal (and no, they usually neither understand or care, and I don't ever really expect them to)

  36. Real or Virtual by themindfantastic · · Score: 0

    I was thinking when I saw this that there would be a card directly from ones paypal account to the real world through mastercard's access channels. Now THAT would be sweet, at least for me.

    1. Re:Real or Virtual by ahecht · · Score: 1

      Umm, you've been able to order a real plastic Mastercard debit card that deducts from your paypal account for some time now. You even get 1% cash back on all purchases. https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/c ps/general/PayPalDebitCardLP&channel=1&promo=761

    2. Re:Real or Virtual by loraksus · · Score: 1

      Even a shitty $500 limit card given to college students has better than 1% cashback. I can't fathom why people would use paypal's debit card when a real credit card offers actual buyer protection...

      --
      1q2w3e4r5t6y7u8i9o0pqawsedrftgthyjukilo;p'azsxdcfv gbhnjmk,l.;/
  37. Old Fart Alert by somepunk · · Score: 1

    Back in the day, before any banks had gotten clueful, we used First Virtual. Each transaction required an email confirmation, which was nice for security, but probably too big a pain in the posterior. It didn't last very long.

    --
    Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do. (Isaac Asimov)
  38. Good idea....but by doobie · · Score: 1

    Only supports IE. It has no Firefox support, ATM

  39. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Lord+Kano · · Score: 1

    There's a huge difference between a credit card and a debit card. A debit card transaction affects the balance of your bank (or paypal) account. If there's a fraudulent charge, that money is gone while it's investigated. Eventually you'll get it back, but what if the fraud causes your rent or mortgage check to bounce?

    This happened to me once, it unleashed a cascade of bounced check fees. I got it all straightened out eventually, but I would much rather had taken 5 minutes to get a one time card number instead of the several hours it took to fix the mess that was made of my accounts.

    LK

    --
    "Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
  40. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by garcia · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There's a huge difference between a credit card and a debit card. A debit card transaction affects the balance of your bank (or paypal) account.

    You should *never* use a debit card *anywhere*. Why you might ask? "But they are so popular! Everyone is doing it!"

    Just wait until a drunken bartender, rushed register clerk, or malicious waitress adds an extra digit to your transaction and you're suddenly bouncing checks or being charged fees for your overdraft protection.

  41. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by pushf+popf · · Score: 2, Informative

    why is the rest of the world not keeping up? Because I have very little use for one of these? My credit card already protects me from fraudulent charges and I'm not worried in the least if someone uses it two states away for gas. If Chase makes me call them when I'm going outside of my "home area" so they don't shut me off, then I'm not concerned if someone steals the card number after I make a purchase online at Newegg. If someone uses the card locally, big deal. I call Chase and tell them that the card was stolen and the charge wasn't mine. Not many questions asked. For *most* people, they just aren't paranoid enough to use a one time number for their purchases.

    I wouldn't leave home wihout it (through B of A) When I pay for something online with a virtual CC, I can turn it off at any time. So when it comes time to cancel a service that's been billing me for a while, I first turn off the credit card number, then cancel the service.

    They can go pound salt if they want any "early termination fees", or plan on charging me for another six months due to "billing problems"

    You can't do that with a real CC number.

  42. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Lost+Engineer · · Score: 1

    Your points are right on, and that scares me as someone who uses one every day. What I like about my debit card is that all my transactions appear immediately online. Seriously, I can refresh the page immediately after making an online transaction and it's there. Also, I don't have to worry about paying the bill.

    Does anyone know of a credit card with smart and fast online access and excellent fraud protection? Automatic bill pay would be nice too, but then it might be similar to a debit card.

  43. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by garcia · · Score: 1

    What I like about my debit card is that all my transactions appear immediately online.

    Except for gas purchases made at the pump -- $1 anyone? But yes, that is a convenient thing about them but even if they appear there as "pending" it could have already hit your account and overdrawn it even if it hasn't hit the actual account (we have experienced that and now have overdraft protection to stop that from happening again for the reasons I listed above).

  44. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by gallwapa · · Score: 1

    As someone who loves debit for the same reason of being able to see the results immediately...I was extremely pissed when rentacoder tried authorizing a $200 payment 4 times instead of once and my rent check bounced, among other $1-2 transactions causing in excess $200 in overdraft charges.

  45. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Lost+Engineer · · Score: 1

    Oh yeah. I believe my debit card is maxed at $400 a day. I know I was turned down when I tried to buy an Xbox 360 on it. So, as long as I check my balance often, I shouldn't be bouncing rent checks. How about yours?

  46. Old Tech by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Will people be more comfortable making online purchases with this, or will it flop because its too much of an inconvenience?

    I don't expect this to last very long. You used to be able to buy "Internet" cards at local convenience stores that operated like a gift card (or phone card), you put a specific amount of money on it and used it online like a credit card. It was a great idea and gave excellent peace of mind to people who wanted to buy stuff online.

    To make a long story short, the major credit card companies ran these "upstarts" out of business.

    Maybe in today's world of online identity theft and fraud, these cards can make a return. But I think that the established credit card empire will crush this attempt at competition as swiftly as they did the first time.

  47. No kidding. by Valdrax · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Yeah, I can see myself signing up to give Paypal access to my credit cards or bank accounts just for the privilege of keeping my credit card number away from untrustworthy, unscrupulous merchants who are out to steal my mon....

    Wait a minute. Oh-ho-ho! Nice try, Paypal! You almost got me there. Whew!

    --
    If it's for-profit but free, you're not the customer -- you're the product (e.g., the Slashdot Beta's "audience").
    1. Re:No kidding. by gmack · · Score: 2, Informative

      I have an easy fix for that. I have a bank account reserved for paypal and paypal NEVER sees my main account. When I want to spend money I transfer it in. When I get money I transfer it out. This way paypal can only touch the money if I want them to.

    2. Re:No kidding. by h4rm0ny · · Score: 1


      That sums it up for me. The one advantage of a one-time or disposable credit card number would be anonymity. This doesn't have that. I want something I can buy in a shop for cash, load up with a pre-paid amount and use online, throwing away when I'm done with it.

      --

      Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
    3. Re:No kidding. by TClevenger · · Score: 1

      Exactly. A nice no-monthly-fee account at WaMu or a credit union is just the ticket for PayPal users.

    4. Re:No kidding. by StikyPad · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I just use credit cards. It's not exactly difficult to get a fraudulent charge reversed by the credit card issuer in most cases, and then they can sort out the mess on their own. In any event, your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card. Maybe $50 is a lot to you, but it's certainly better than getting your bank account cleaned out (assuming the balance is over $50) and/or having PayPal as your only recourse, since a bank won't usually (and isn't required to AFAIK) do anything about an electronic transfer. Obviously since you go through the trouble of using a second account, that wouldn't be a problem for you, but for others...

    5. Re:No kidding. by um...+Lucas · · Score: 1

      Anonymity's dead.

      I wish it wasn't the case, but honestly... it's over and done with.

      I wanted that too, even bought a prepaid charge card for that purpose, but wouldn't you know it, they wanted my SSN to activate the card for me, and of course they needed a mailing address to ship the card to me...

      But let's see, even if i'd gotten the digits over the phone, I could then order something online through an online store that doubtlessly logs the IP address. If i ordered something for delivery, they have my home address as well, unless I have it delivered to a mailbox service, which in turn has asked for my photo ID and a utility bill, which again, ties back to my home address.

      Even if i'm just funding the account to get access to a website, the card provider has my IP on account, the camera's at the store got my snapshot, and whichever site i use the card at also has my IP, which of course my ISP will happily provide upon request...

      So yes.. I know what you're asking for, but quite simply, with all the stuff packed into the PATRIOT act and all the related junk that's gone through in the last couple of years, you're simply not going to get it...

    6. Re:No kidding. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The problem with exposing your credit card number is not getting a fraudulent charge reversed with the intended merchant. The problem is the shoddy security of back-end credit card processors, from whom hundreds of millions of credit card numbers have been stolen by cybercriminals.

      I've used the virtual number service from MBNA (now B of A) ever since it was first introduced to avoid this problem. Now, I'll use PayPal's service -- hooray for little (relatively) companies!

  48. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by garcia · · Score: 1

    Daily max for my debit card is $3000.

  49. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Sancho · · Score: 1

    That /must/ be a bank thing. My debit transactions can still take a day to show online. I'll see the total amount I have available drop, but it may be 24 hours before I see where the transaction was made.

    I imagine there are some banks out there which can do the same for a credit card.

  50. Re: But it doesn't always work well by AnaemicVampire · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Citibank and HSBC both have had this system for a while.

    I've stopped using it though after a rather unpleasant incident where the online vendor (ETS) did not perform the transaction immediately, but instead waited for 2 working days to debit the amount. The one time card is not meant to last for that period of time (quite obviously, otherwise there would be little safety). The transaction was denied and I was charged an additional 20$. The nice folks at ETS refused to allow another GRE registration till I paid up the extra fee.

    I'll stick to the normal credit card , particularly when the purchases are valuable.

  51. Re:My real experience in England by Sqwubbsy · · Score: 2, Funny

    this little venture will take off like a Saturn V rocket with a barrage of strapon scramjets.

    I personally support any paradigm that warrants an analogy with 'strapons'.

  52. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by ArsonSmith · · Score: 1

    I had this happen with my old Mortgage company. Double charged my debit card on the first month after a refinance.

    I called them and they said it would be a 1-3 month investigation and they'd return the money. I said screw that, called my bank and had the money back in my account in less than an hour. Explained to the teller on the phone what happened she saw the two identical charages and reversed one. I never heard anything back from that. That was about 3 years ago and I got out of that mortgage company.

    --
    Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
  53. The throw away credit card number by dissy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    In fairness, the throw-away credit card number part should be fairly decent as far as online shopping goes.

    I used to have an actual credit card that had this feature (MBNA bank if anyone is interested, highly recomended.)

    They had it where you could use the app on the webpage, or download what appeared to be a flash standalone app that did the same thing.

    It would generate a credit card #, exp date (of your choosing, min 1 month in advance rounded to the end of that month) and the 3 digit code. You could also set a limit on that card.
    Once it was charged to by someone, the number was locked to that vendor, and only they could make future charges to it.
    You can also go in and shut it off at any time prior to the expiration.

    The idea is, in the automated way a charge is made to the card, and even if it is stored, stolen, or sniffed along the way, anyone ELSE trying to use that number after the automated charge would get denied.
    Also the store itself would get denied if it tried to charge over the limit, or past the expiration or when you disabled the number.

    It was a feature I used quite alot.

    The only downside here is the fact its PayPal and not a real bank. So kudos for them adding a good feature, but booo for them still being paypal and all the downsides that entails.

  54. MOD PARENT UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    haha, parent said 'strapon'

  55. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by sideswipe76 · · Score: 1

    Not the point. Sure, you're protected from fraud, but then if fraud is discovered they have to close the account which is a pain in the ass if you have recurring payments or pending payments. One-shot numbers prevent the hassle of having to essential switch to a whole new account.

  56. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by marcello_dl · · Score: 1

    I agree: better not to leave credit card numbers around, checking your bills becomes easier and you save lots of time and hassles. Using virtual cards is longer, but it's well spent for increased safety.

    I always boot from live cd before doing any banking online btw.

    --
    ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
  57. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Threni · · Score: 1

    > Just wait until a drunken bartender, rushed register clerk, or malicious waitress adds an extra
    > digit to your transaction and you're suddenly bouncing checks or being charged fees for your
    > overdraft protection.

    In the UK you have to sign the receipt, or enter your pin on a display with the amount clearly showing.

  58. e-cards has been around for a couple of years. by Futil3 · · Score: 1

    My bank has had this kind of service (called e-card) for a few years already. I can access it directly via the browser (java, works well in all OSes) or as a standalone client (windows only). It allows me to create "e-cards" for one-off charges, as well as for subscription fees. It's quite excellent; very useful and -able.

  59. PayPal has done this before by kmkz · · Score: 1

    This is definitely not new. I have been using a PayPal virtual debit card to pay for my server costs for about 3 years. Recently it seems they took it off-line (so I went out and got a real debit card from them) possibly to create hype for something they have always offered...

  60. Virtual debts too? by noidentity · · Score: 1

    Just a question, if I use one of these, do I merely incur virtual debts? If so, this is great, as I don't play any online games, so the virtual bill collector will never be able to find me!

  61. GCBHTBTPOS by bagofbeans · · Score: 1

    Firefly-san, you may be right...

  62. Old service in France... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This "electronic credit card" has been existing in France for many years : my bank provided me with this service a few years ago : you log on on the web or you install a app on your desktop, and when you want to pay you ask for a new number.

    You can event limit the amount paid for, and also pay with the same number a number of time (for monthly payments for instance).

    Why on earth the US (and Canada, and a few others) are so retarded when it comes to banking ?

    1. Re:Old service in France... by junk · · Score: 1

      Well all hail France then. I mean, they're years ahead of the rest of us, I guess. Oh wait... my Discover card did this years ago too. Maybe it isn't a regional thing then... maybe more companies haven't adopted it becauase it's not the useful and you end up burning a lot of numbers that can no longer be used...

      But hey, that's probably not it. It's probably the France thing...

  63. Paypal? by Cervantes · · Score: 1

    That's right folks... Paypal. The people who brought you trustworthy and hassle-free online banking, now want to install something on your computer. Nothing could possibl-ii go wrong.

    Oh my. That's the first thing that's ever gone wrong. Hm, how about that?

    (end hackneys Simpsons reference)

    I'd love to yell and scream about this more, but unfortunately (and unfathomably), Paypal has wide market acceptance. Sure, BidPay is making inroads, but the sad point is that Paypal has become commonplace... so this will take off, and another round of unwitting saps will be rudely reminded that Paypal isn't really a bank, and they can do whatever the fudge they want.

    Why hasn't there been a class-action suit yet?

    --
    If I knew the wedgies I gave you back in 6th grade would have resulted in this . . . I might have taken a moments pause.
  64. Re:If you ever contacted PayPal you know the answe by rob1980 · · Score: 1, Troll

    It took me three (3) tries to get a real answer out of them, which was basically: "You'll have to contact the seller".

    I don't email large companies specifically because of shit like that. In the unlikely event that you do get an answer, there's a good chance you won't get much further than where you started. One phone call later, issue resolved. Plus Paypal has a big call center 15 minutes from where I live so there's a somewhat decent chance I'm not going to get some doofus in Bangalore.

  65. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Mister+Whirly · · Score: 1

    Debit card + overdraft protection at bank = problem solved without need for one-time number generator.

    --
    "But this one goes to 11!"
  66. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    What are you? A freaking idiot who has never used a debit card?

    Guess what: You have to enter a PIN to authorize the purchase if you use it as a DEBIT card. If you use it as a CREDIT card, you still have to authorize it by signing.

    If you are moronic enough to drunkenly sign your credit slip or enter your PIN, you deserve to flush your money down the drain.

  67. Re: But it doesn't always work well by quantum+bit · · Score: 1

    Which one were you using? The citibank one (at least the flash-based version I use because I'm not running windows) allows you to specify the expiration date, and I think it defaults to the end of the month.

  68. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by szembek · · Score: 1

    You don't have overdraft protection on your checking account? Get with the times. If I overdraw my checking it just pulls $100 from my visa. No problems. I buy everything with my check card. No bounced checks. No fees.

    --
    nothing
  69. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by garcia · · Score: 1

    In my example above, a disgruntled waitress who didn't appreciate your tip could add a larger sum to your actual tip value than you intended.

    In the US, if your charges are under $25 you don't have to sign the receipt (it's becoming more and more common as people are not carrying cash and fast food is allowing charging). They could have made a mistake, not paid attention to it being $205 and you could go over.

    Ad nauseum.

  70. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by An+anonymous+Frank · · Score: 1

    Well, here in Canada, the process of using a Debit card involves the mandatory use of an Interac-certified P.O.S. device, which prompts for you to confirm the total before you move onto choosing the account to draw from, etc. --In some cases, I've even seen the things programmed to prompt you for a tip amount, which you could then specify yourself directly.

  71. pointless by xdxfp · · Score: 1

    If they steal your Paypal password, then what difference does it make. Obtaining a password via a keylogger/trojan is one of the most common types of credit card fraud. Seems to be a lot of a hassle with not much benefit, plus you can't use it at real stores.

    --
    HRESULT WinAPIGetSystemProcessThreadMetricsMenu...
    LibraryVolumeModuleHandlePtrEx(PHSPTMMLVM PHndl);
  72. PrivaCash by Valdrax · · Score: 2, Informative

    I want something I can buy in a shop for cash, load up with a pre-paid amount and use online, throwing away when I'm done with it.

    This may be what you want. Look for their non-personalized cards and never reload them as you have to give personal info to do so. I heard about this on a privacy-oriented site, but I've never tried them myself, so I don't know how hard it is to avoid giving personal info.

    --
    If it's for-profit but free, you're not the customer -- you're the product (e.g., the Slashdot Beta's "audience").
  73. eBay and PayPal by szembek · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So eBay refuses to accept payments from Google Payments because they own PayPal. How long will their "it's not proven to be secure" argument hold up before they are slammed with a lawsuit. I'm no lawyer but it sounds an awful lot like the stuff Microsoft got in trouble for in the past, except worse. At least with Windows you *could* download and install a third-party browser. With eBay they are choking off a specific form of payment, and you know it's because it would clearly damage PayPal.

    --
    nothing
    1. Re:eBay and PayPal by SeaFox · · Score: 1
      At least with Windows you *could* download and install a third-party browser. With eBay they are choking off a specific form of payment, and you know it's because it would clearly damage PayPal.

      EBay isn't doing anything but hurting themselves. Ebay is just an enabler, they have no actual control over what form of payment you use. They neither hold the money in escrow or hold the merchandise. They can't stop you from using Google Payments to pay for an auction won, and they can't tell the seller he can't ship the item to you because you paid with an "unauthorized method of payment". All their stupid restriction means is, at worst, a seller cannot mention Google Payments as a payment method on the auction listing. But he could list a few forms of payment (like money order or personal check) and then note that you can email him to inquire about "other ways of paying" if either of those doesn't work well for you". (wink, wink)
  74. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by loraksus · · Score: 1

    My credit card already protects me from fraudulent charges

    Yeah, but this is paypal we're talking about...

    --
    1q2w3e4r5t6y7u8i9o0pqawsedrftgthyjukilo;p'azsxdcfv gbhnjmk,l.;/
  75. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by garcia · · Score: 1

    You don't have overdraft protection on your checking account? Get with the times. If I overdraw my checking it just pulls $100 from my visa. No problems. I buy everything with my check card. No bounced checks. No fees.

    My bank has a "loan" system for overdraft protection (and yes I do have it) but you are charged some minimal interest if it goes over.

  76. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by szembek · · Score: 1

    True the interest can be a factor. That's my motivation for trying to keep on track with my checking. It is a bad idea to use the over draft protection on a regular basis.

    --
    nothing
  77. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    My max is a little more than the cash I have in the bank. Which varies from $5-9k across the month.

    Posted anonymously; some things I keep private.

  78. Works perfectly with Swedbank by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I use this technology every time I must use a credit
    card number online. The Swedish bank Swedbank offer
    this and it works perfectly. Never fails. You set a
    limit of funds and you have 1 month until it expires
    and you can remove the card whenever you want to.

  79. Yes, new....very new. by man_ls · · Score: 1

    I've used PayPal Virtual Debit Card numbers since like 2002, it's been an option for YEARS.

    My credit card company, Citibank, also offers the same thing.

    How is this new? Or interesting?

    1. Re:Yes, new....very new. by httpamphibio.us · · Score: 1

      It's not new... they just reintroduced this feature. It's been gone for a couple months now. It's like when mapquest discontinued their road trip planner and then brought it back and marketed it as being something AMAZING!#!!

      --
      sig.
    2. Re:Yes, new....very new. by The+Cisco+Kid · · Score: 1

      Whats new is that in order to add the CVV number, theyve removed other functionality.

      It used to be a java/javascript 'web bar' that showed a fixed virtual number that you could use. It worked in any standards compliant browser.

      Now its a window-only application, and supposedly in addition to the CVV it generates a new number for each transaction. Neat, but useless for anyone that recognzes that private financial information and MS make a bad mix.

  80. Re:If you ever contacted PayPal you know the answe by loraksus · · Score: 1

    If spending 3 hours in fucking queue is your idea of an effective use of time, sure, calling paypal is a great idea.

    --
    1q2w3e4r5t6y7u8i9o0pqawsedrftgthyjukilo;p'azsxdcfv gbhnjmk,l.;/
  81. Re:If you ever contacted PayPal you know the answe by rob1980 · · Score: 1

    If waiting three business days for an automated response is more desirable to you, then go for it.

  82. Paypal makes Russian Mafia look legit by haggie · · Score: 1

    My credit card and money would more secure if I left it sitting on a Moscow park bench...

  83. Auto-subscription scams are one good reason by fv · · Score: 1
    If someone uses the card locally, big deal. I call Chase and tell them that the card was stolen and the charge wasn't mine. Not many questions asked.

    It certainly can be a big deal if you don't notice the fraudulent charge quickly, if Chase decides to investigate extensively, if you have to file police reports, dealing with card reissuance when you're travelling, if the episode makes its way onto your credit history, if the criminals continue to steal your identity in other ways, etc. Plus, the costs of credit card fraud end up being passed back to consumers as a group anyway. So you might not want to be quite so blasé about it.

    But honestly, my main reason for using these systems is that I don't trust the vendor. Not 3rd party fraud. For example, many online media sites put in the fine print that they will retain your credit card number and try to charge you their then-current rates every year unless you remember in time to jump through all their AOL-style cancellation hoops. This isn't just porn sites -- the Wall Street Journal Online, Morningstar.Com, and various other sites try to do this to me. So I just make a temporary number for $120 or whatever the annual charge is. Then the "auto renewal" will fail in a year and they will have to actually ask me whether I wish to renew at their then-current prices.

    I've been using MBNA's system, but I'm not so happy with them for other reasons. I'd be interested in hearing what other banks offer this feature in a convenient manner with a standard web-based UI. I'm certainly not going to run IE to use PayPal's system!

    Also, it is probably true that I'm more paranoid than your average user.

    -Fyodor
    Insecure.Org

  84. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Amen to that. I also live in Canada and was going to post the exact same you did. Whenever a debit purchase is done, the amount shows up on the terminal. Not once have I ever seen an incorrect amount entered maliciously by anyone selling me anything, not even at a bar! It does help that they usually enter the amount right in front of you.

  85. Re: But it doesn't always work well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    he one time card is not meant to last for that period of time (quite obviously, otherwise there would be little safety) you're a fucking moron. At a minimum, the Citibank cards are good for one month, or you can specify them to be good for up to 12 months if you want to use them for recurring charges. As for safety, once the virtual card has been used with a vendor, -only- that vendor can use that number. Again, in sum, you're a fucking moron.

  86. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by cwiegand · · Score: 2, Informative

    Talk to your bank - USBank protects debit cards to the same standard that VISA does for credit cards (which, since USBank debit cards usually double as VISA-network cards, works out well). In fact, a lot of banks these days are stepping up to the plate and saying that they will not hold you accountable for fraudulent charges.

    --
    Define sqrt(x) as something really evil like (x / rand()), and bury it deep in a shared include somewhere.
  87. MBnet - Portugal by GothicX · · Score: 0

    At Portugal there is MBnet - www.mbnet.pt, that creates a virtual credit card that has a short validity and maximum of money when create the Virtual CC. This works here for years.. it's a good service and all banks here use the same service.

    --
    Music is the sedative for mind...
  88. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by StikyPad · · Score: 1

    Usually if you explain what happened to the bank, they will waive the fees. Ninety percent of the time they will waive them just by you explaining. Worst case, you'll have to do a lot of arguing, but it's still very likely you'll succeed. It depends on your bank, however my fiancee is a banker, and every bank she's worked at has instructed the reps to simply reverse the fees if there's even a hint of justification.

  89. Not a bank! by Duncan3 · · Score: 1

    The difference is, PayPal is not a bank, and goes to GREAT lengths to avoid being under any of the banking laws that protect you and me from companies, well... like PayPal.

    They do a great deal of business catering to criminals, er customers that cannot get a credit card or a merchant account. Considering the criteria for both are trivial, that's saying a lot.

    --
    - Adam L. Beberg - The Cosm Project - http://www.mithral.com/
    1. Re:Not a bank! by The+Cisco+Kid · · Score: 1

      Qualifying for a real credit card is *NOT* trivial unless you want to pay $50 to apply for a $300 limit card that they immediately bill $295 in processing, monthly *and* annual fees, leaving you $295 in debt instantly.

      I have no bankruptcies, no signifigant unpaid debts, one fully paid used car loan from about 10 years ago, and I cant seem to even get a department store card, let alone a major card. The answer is always 'insufficient credit history'. So they wont give me credit, becuase I didnt already have credit - chicken and egg. And no, I'm not interested in the $295 rip-off card.

  90. Re:My real experience in England by Lehk228 · · Score: 1

    and since paypal is involved, like with a strapon, someone is getting F&#ked in the ass

    --
    Snowden and Manning are heroes.
  91. Nah by Nazmun · · Score: 1

    They've always had it. They just made the link too difficult to find.

    The real news is that they are beta'ing a new version with the random number generator for the CV2 code that many websites ask for. This way even if they have your CC number and your old CV2 card the transaction won't go through since it changes after a purchase. Preventing duplicate purchases or thieves using your number.

    --
    Hmmm... Pie...
  92. Re:My real experience in England by TrisexualPuppy · · Score: 0, Troll
    and since paypal is involved, like with a strapon, someone is getting F&#ked in the ass
    Listen, I am an active lesbian, and believe me, we like to keep it clean. I don't use strapons much, but when I do, it does *not* involve the bum. Please be respectful about my post.
  93. This isn't new by whoda · · Score: 1

    I shopped with a Paypal Virtual card a few times a few years ago. Then it kind of disappeared fromi the Paypal site without any notice.
    I'm not sure what's different now.

  94. Years old news by metamatic · · Score: 1

    Yup, I was using PayPal virtual credit card numbers well over 2 years ago. Has something changed about the feature?

    --
    GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
  95. It's worse than that by metamatic · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It used to work in any browser. The change they've made is to make it so it only works in IE on Windows. Major downgrade.

    Not that I can find any kind of feedback address...

    --
    GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
  96. Re:My real experience in England by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'd mod you off-topic, if I weren't laughing so hard.

  97. WaMu -- Shudders by SRA8 · · Score: 1

    Hearing WaMu gives me shivvers. I know its off-topic but a word of advice -- WaMu, in my experience, is an absolutely wreckless company. They purchased my local bank in their buy-out binge. During the post merger integration, they converted my beneficiaries into account joint owners. The statement didnt reval this, but the beneficiaries all got tax notices for the interest. Worst, my brother lost his financial aid for having "too high a balance." Despite showing the records to WaMu, they refused to fix the issue or even write an explanatory letter on his behalf. We know someone who lost her social security benefits because her son (and thus her according to WaMu's filings) also had "too much" in the bank. Same bank's takeover. To add insult to injury, WaMu also took over our mortgage company and lost the escrow account after the final payment. They kept saying "if you have an issue with a Fleet Mortgage account, call fleet." Dumb f*cks -- they purchased Fleet, I cant call fleet. It took 1.5yrs and a letter to the OCC to get the escrow payment. Luckily we had the liquidity to float that amount...or we'd fall behind on prop taxes! In any case, dont take my word for it, look at Attorney General filings and BBB. I closed my WaMu accounts. I give the same advice to all my friends.

    1. Re:WaMu -- Shudders by TClevenger · · Score: 1

      Thanks for the advice. I use WaMu strictly for my Paypal stuff; money gets deposited, and I withdraw the next day. Guess I won't be applying for that credit card from them. :-)

    2. Re:WaMu -- Shudders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "wreckless"

      Why is this a bad thing?

      I'd rather do business with a company that isn't wrecked.

  98. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by sweede · · Score: 1

    All the gas stations i go to have $50 pending instead of $1.

    One station ( i forget what company) has both :|

    --
    I follow the SDK and GDN principles.. Spelling Dont Kount, Grammer Dont Neither
  99. btdt by juenger1701 · · Score: 1

    paypal had this service several years ago then droped it apperantly just to bring it back

  100. good job paypal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    1. It doesn't support proxy. When failing to connect to their server it doesn't show adequate error message
    2. It creates a foolish toolbar in the IE which occasionally blinks without any need for that, it can't be turned off.
    3. It kills IE without asking when installation is running. Bizarre !

    Somebody doesn't know much about proper UI. Shame on your Paypal, you can do better than that.

    Uninstall.

  101. in Portugal for more than 4 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's funny. Here in Portugal we have a service like that running for more than 4 years now, and you only need a Portuguese debit card (Multibanco). This service has 2 major differences :
    1. It generates VISA virtual cards (including the 3 digit security code) with a given limit amount. I think VISA if by far the most used online payment card.
    2. The entity that runs the service is a central company that happens to run the visa network in Portugal so much more reliable than paypal.

    I've been using this service for 2 major reasons:
    1. No need to ask the bank for a credit card.
    2. Security, the virtual card is only valid for a short period of time and you say the maximum amount you want it to authorize.

  102. Why Would Anyone CHOOSE To Use Them?! by __aaclvs9674 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I am an avid ebayer - and lets face it, without Paypal, you're not going to get very far trading on ebay. So I use Paypal out of necessity (yeah, I know i'm sad) and yes, I feel sick just thinking about it!

    Putting ridiculous fees, poor customer service, and numerous loop holes aside - I just don't trust them! From my experience, you are never actually 'covered' as they keep telling us, and when you do get bitten by a scammer - you may as well just bang your head against a brick wall instead of trying to get your money back from them!

    I for one, would never CHOOSE to use them. They are another one of these big corporations who just don't care about the little people, but expect everyone to log on and happily give over all their credit card details.... and then charge them for the privilege.

    http://www.paypalsucks.com/ anyone?

    Without ebay, Paypal would come tumbling down in seconds. No wonder ebay are making excuses to block google payments and alike!

    morehawes

  103. Old news in Portugal by carvalhao · · Score: 1

    In Portugal we've had for the last six years a similar system. And most people here make ALL their payments over 10 using a debit card, since all banks use a common system.

  104. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by morpheus800e · · Score: 1

    The thing is, if there's a fraudulent charge on your credit card, you just don't pay for it while it's being disputed, and you aren't out any actual money. With a fraudulent charge on your debit card, YOUR money from your checking account is gone until you dispute the charge and get the bank to put it back. So while in the end you still get your money back, what happens in the meantime can be a major PITA - like the comment about "bouncing checks" in the GP.

  105. Different Solution by MultiMarine · · Score: 1

    I'm working for a company called ViA, and they have a different solution for this problem. They have an idea where they encrypt a transaction string in different layers so only the people that needs the information gets access to it. So if you use your card at some site they won't get your credit card number since they don't need it. That part of the transaction will be encrypted. They also have solutions to other problems that has been brought up here on slashdot like the problem with VISA shutting down all transactions to AllofMp3.com. Since it's a new company the website might not be all what you would like it to be, but things are changing fast so if anyone is interested in the idea you can visit http://www.via.ae/via.ae and check it out.

  106. Re:My real experience in England by iank · · Score: 1
    I believe that with PayPal being so deeply-rooted in the online finance business (read, PayPal is NOT a bank), this little venture will take off like a Saturn V rocket with a barrage of strapon scramjets.

    Wins award for best simile of 2006!
  107. Be careful with that! by Slashdot+Parent · · Score: 1
    They can go pound salt if they want any "early termination fees", or plan on charging me for another six months due to "billing problems"
    What you say is definitely true about "billing problems", but it is not true about early termination fees.

    If you sign a contract that obligates you to pay a fee for early termination, and you terminate early, then you still owe that fee whether your credit card approves or declines the transaction. So, for instance, if you sign up for a 2 year mobile phone plan (seems like they are the most notorious for these early termination fees) with a $175.00 early termination fee, and you terminate after 1 year, you owe the company $175.

    If the company cannot collect via the credit card that you provided, they are certainly within their rights to collect that fee via the legal system. You will be in the unenviable position of trying to explain to a small claims court judge why you are willfully violating a crystal-clear term of a contract that you agreed to. At they very least, the company will turn your account over to a collection agency.

    In fact, even in the "billing problems" situation, the company will probably still turn you over to collections since according to their (buggy) computer, you owe them money. It's gonna be a hassle for you either way.
    --
    They don't grade fathers, but if your daughter's a stripper, you fucked up. --Chris Rock
    1. Re:Be careful with that! by pushf+popf · · Score: 1

      n fact, even in the "billing problems" situation, the company will probably still turn you over to collections since according to their (buggy) computer, you owe them money. It's gonna be a hassle for you either way.

      The difference is that it will be a "hassle" on my terms. I get to determine who gets to suck how much money out of my credit card.

      Without a virtual credit card #, they can do pretty much anything they want, then it's up to me to sue them. As long as I retain control of the money, I retain control of the entire transaction.

      Right now, I've got a long distance company trying to bill a Virtual CC# for calls I made with another service. Guess how much I care that they're upset.

    2. Re:Be careful with that! by Slashdot+Parent · · Score: 1

      With a credit card, you need not sue over false billings. Your first stop is to dispute the charge with your credit card company, which usually takes care of the issue. Only after that fails, do you need to worry about your "other options".

      But that wasn't really my point. My point is that if you owe a company money (or in your case, if a company thinks (incorrectly) that you owe them money), they are going to attempt to collect it. Your virtual credit card numbers are not going to provide the barrier that you think they provide, that's all I'm saying.

      --
      They don't grade fathers, but if your daughter's a stripper, you fucked up. --Chris Rock
    3. Re:Be careful with that! by pushf+popf · · Score: 1

      With a credit card, you need not sue over false billings. Your first stop is to dispute the charge with your credit card company, which usually takes care of the issue. Only after that fails, do you need to worry about your "other options". But that wasn't really my point. My point is that if you owe a company money (or in your case, if a company thinks (incorrectly) that you owe them money), they are going to attempt to collect it. Your virtual credit card numbers are not going to provide the barrier that you think they provide, that's all I'm saying.

      Not to pick fight, but in the case of the long distance company, if they had a real CC, I'd be in the position of trying to sue them for $40. Because it was virtual, they have to sue me to collect, which means that they have to prove I made the calls on their service, which they can't do. It just changes the balance of power in my favor.

  108. They don't allow gun purchases by mrmeval · · Score: 1

    I wonder if this will be a work around for that.

    --
    I'd go on a Vegan diet but the delivery time from Vega is too long. --brownkitty
  109. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by Slashdot+Parent · · Score: 1

    But the landlord is still going to charge a bounced check fee and late payment fee and insist on certified funds in the future (so you get to pay for a money order or cashier's check)

    --
    They don't grade fathers, but if your daughter's a stripper, you fucked up. --Chris Rock
  110. Weird by Slashdot+Parent · · Score: 1

    Have you pulled your credit recently? Are you sure there isn't a problem on your report?

    I'd suggest that you look at your credit report and have a look-see. (that site is the official place to get your free report... based on the federal law that says they have to give you a free report every 12 months... in other words, you won't have to pay for it or get spyware or anything).

    If there are any negative entries, get 'em cleared up if they're false. If they're true, then you get to wait 7 years and they fall off automatically.

    Assuming no serious negatives, I'd suggest you get a bank account with a debit card. That will normally show up on your credit report and start establishing your credit. At the very least, it will get you a free Visa card. :)

    Good luck!

    --
    They don't grade fathers, but if your daughter's a stripper, you fucked up. --Chris Rock
    1. Re:Weird by The+Cisco+Kid · · Score: 1

      Yes, I've seen my credit report. There are a very few, quite small negative entries, and a few positive entries (The largest one was a $500 debt that has since been paid and is properly noted as such). And I have had checking/debit cards for several years, and they have no positive affect on, nor do they even show up on, my credit report.

      Note that I do not get 'too much bad history' as the reason for not getting issued a card, I get 'insufficient history'. Apparently no one is willing to be the credit issuer that someone establishes a history with. I suppose they make exceptions for younger people (Im mid-30's)

  111. Finally by PhotoGuy · · Score: 1

    Finally, a prepaid-ish card you can use as a credit card. Having my credit destroyed by a divorce, I was looking for a prepaid credit card; unfortunately, the only options seemed to be offshore banks, and upon a bit of research, they all turned out to clearly be ripoffs (taking your $100 deposit and leaving you in the lurch). (Being without a credit card was liberating in some ways, always living within your means; but for online purchases, restauraunts, etc., a credit card can be very handy.)

    I love the idea of putting money on a debit card, that can be used as a credit card. Hopefully this paypal offering will offer Mastercard-like (and not paypal-like) handling of problems and concerns, and also be available in Canada.

    --
    Love many, trust a few, do harm to none.
  112. Re:Different Solution (Virtual PIN Pad) by mandelbr0t · · Score: 1

    Not bad, I've seen some of these before. The idea is to create a virtual version of the Encrypting PIN Pad (EPP) that most (well, should be all soon) ATMs use. The PIN pad runs as a Java applet on the client computer, and sends only an encrypted PIN block to the processor. The processor forwards this encrypted PIN block upstream to a financial institution as a normal ATM would. However, this solution is not as good as a real EPP for a couple of reasons

    1. There's absolutely no guarantee that a Java applet that looks like a Virtual PIN pad actually does any encryption. This site would then have a copy of your unencrypted PIN and do the PIN encryption itself before sending upstream for authorization. This is the show-stopper, IMO. An open-source VEPP would be cool, but there'd have to be some way to verify that the applet received from a site claiming to be using it was actually using it. I see big problems for certifying a VEPP for secure use.
    2. A physical EPP is sealed at the manufacturing plant before being shipped, and any attempt to break the seal renders it useless. A VEPP doesn't have this tamper-resistance. Thus, a virus on the client computer could gain access to the keystrokes prior to them being encrypted.

    Despite the problems, however, I'd like to see more development in this area.

    mandelbr0t

    --
    "Please describe the scientific nature of the 'whammy'" - Agent Scully
  113. Re:Different Solution (Virtual PIN Pad) by MultiMarine · · Score: 1

    Well, It's not a virtual Pin Pad. You have a real https://www.via.ae/index.php?id=shop/Key Pad that generates a secure string that's enctrypted in several layers so only people that needs the information has access to it. This has not been done before since they have a patent for it.

  114. Re:Different Solution (Virtual PIN Pad) by mandelbr0t · · Score: 1

    So I actually need to buy a PIN pad for home use now?!

    Seriously, we're talking about a solution for a home user. While there are obvious benefits to EPP-based security, I hardly think it's worth the expense for online shopping when the free solutions compromise very little in the way of security. By the way, is the pad Visa/PLUS certified? What about gateway services: who supports your pad? The link you provided didn't work.

    mandelbr0t

    --
    "Please describe the scientific nature of the 'whammy'" - Agent Scully
  115. Re:Discover have been generating numbers for years by StikyPad · · Score: 1

    Right, I didn't say everything would be honky dory, I was just pointing out a way to lessen his pain, especially when he got rocked with $200 in fees.

  116. Re:Different Solution (Virtual PIN Pad) by MultiMarine · · Score: 1

    You get the Pad for free of course.