Reply to: Pre Paid Debit Cards

[ryebank]

how about using one of these just for online transactions to avoid fraud???

and watch CSI they give great tips on how to remove claret from the boot carpet!

Because you don't have Consumer Credit protection like you do on a private credit card - buy something duff (or not delivered or vendor goes bust etc) on a personal CC and the CC company will refund you - debit cards don't have that protection ... and neither in law do company CC's though some offer protection in their T&C's

[poser]

how about using one of these just for online transactions to avoid fraud???

and watch CSI they give great tips on how to remove claret from the boot carpet!

[Bluebird]

That doesn't mean she won't find out.

as long as I don't leave DNA in the boot I should be ok...

[TheFaQQer]

pre-pay debit cards have no audit trail....

That doesn't mean she won't find out.

[DaveB]

pre-pay debit cards have no audit trail....

*Everything* has an audit trail, with the possible exception of used cash and / or hard drugs.

When you use the card the transaction is recorded by the retailers payment system and transmitted to their bank, which records it. Their bank then requests the funds from the related card account and the systems there record that transaction. When you "top up" the account, by phone or otherwise, the transaction is recorded including details of the when, where and how.

Even if you only ever top it up with a PAYG phone and sim that you paid cash for the system will still record the transaction details.
Given sufficient reason and a cooperative judge to issue the warrants it is perfectly possible to at least identify the general location of the phone used to do it. With the cooperation of the phone companies to keep tabs on that number they can do even better.

The only way that you might be able to remain anonymous is to buy a PAYG phone and SIM for cash, top up the card and throw the phone away immediately afterwards. Even then you'd have to be certain that the card issuer has no accurate information on who it is who holds the card.


Of course if the reason you want it is not going to involve law enforcement and / or security services it's probably a moot point but still, everything has an audit trail if you know where to look.

[Bluebird]

Your missus will find out eventually, so why pay extra for it?

pre-pay debit cards have no audit trail....

[TheFaQQer]

Your missus will find out eventually, so why pay extra for it?

[Waldorf]

One current account, one savings account, one credit card - nice and easy!

[kirk]

I have got 3 bank accounts, 3 savings account and numerous credit cards -but I still want a pre-paid debit card, not beacuse it's cheap...

Ah, I see - for those "secret" purchases

[Bluebird]

I have got 3 bank accounts, 3 savings account and numerous credit cards -but I still want a pre-paid debit card, not beacuse it's cheap...

[kirk]

Card Fee £5.00
Annual Account Maintenance Fee £4.95 (Payable at first top up)
Transaction Fee 2.5%
ATM Withdrawal Fee £1.50 (+ 2% for withdrawals over £50
Top Up Fee (Post Office® or PayPoint) 30p per £10.00
Top Up Fee (Credit/Debit cards) 2.5% (Min £1.50 fee)

All looks v. expensive to me, why not just have a debit card on your bank account?!?!?

[Bluebird]

yes, but there's no up front fee, monthly charge or minimum use period - they have to make their money somehow.

If you only want it for the odd £10 transaction now and again it's fine...

[kirk]

2.5% per transaction???!?!?!??!

[Bluebird]

just sorted it out now...

http://www.splashplastic.com/

These seem the best deal around.

You can apply on-line, and get top-ups via a mobile phone.

[Swiss Tony]

My only worry is that they are regulated by the Isle of Mann not the FSA, why not just put credit on your existing credit cards?