Prepaid credit cards

[CathJ]

I want to download some free eBooks from fictionwise.com (and maybe even buy some, at some point). The problem is that they're in secure eReader format, which means that you have to provide them with a credit card number (and associated details) in order to (a) download the eBooks, and (b) unlock the eBooks on your computer. Even though they're free, and even if, for the non-free books, you use an alternative, non-credit-card method to pay for them.

I'm very wary of using my credit card details online; and I particularly hate the idea of giving them my cc number when I'm not even using it to pay for anything. Plus, they're quite happy to email you your login name and password, in the clear, so their security isn't all that good.

I know that overseas you get prepaid credit cards; but I doubt you get anything like that here. So what I'm considering is getting a Virgin Money cc purely to use for internet purchases, and authentication schemes like this one. I'd have a very low limit on it, to reduce my liability in case of fraud/theft, and would probably use it more as a top-up-able debit card than as a credit card.

Are there any disadvantages to doing something like this? There aren't any charges that I can see, on the VirginMoney site; it would affect my credit in line with the NCA, but if the card has a limit of say R1000 it shouldn't affect it too much. Is there anything that I'm not thinking of?

 

[gboy]

you need a check card, go chat to std bank, i have one, it is a master card, csv number and everything, and it works like a dream.

 

[CathJ]

you need a check card, go chat to std bank, i have one, it is a master card, csv number and everything, and it works like a dream.

Isn't a cheque card linked to your account, though? Like a debit card? Because then that doesn't quite provide the protection I'm looking for. Plus, I think there's an annual fee for the cheque card.

 

[CathJ]

Grr. I sent Virgin Money a few questions, and after waiting two days for a reply they come back to me just to say that they can only see the subject line of my email and I must phone customer services.

And if you start the application online, and then don't finish it, you have to phone them as well, to get them to clear your profile.

Pfft. I don't want their card that badly.

 

[d0b33]

You can try payoneer, its a US issued card so will work everywhere but still have your SA billing address, sites like getafreelancer offer this card and allow you to load it.

 

[BigAl-sa]

I have a 2nd credit card which I only use for Internet purchases (and sometimes tollgates). I have a fixed credit limit of R2000 on it. If I need to spend more, I just deposit the extra funds into the CC account beforehand.

 

[skoob]

Isn't a cheque card linked to your account, though? Like a debit card? Because then that doesn't quite provide the protection I'm looking for. Plus, I think there's an annual fee for the cheque card.

There's an annual fee on credit cards as well.

 

[killadoob]

Why are people scared of giving out their card details online? This is not a dodgy porn site right? even those are safe most of the time.

If anything goes wrong, your card company will pay and not you. I have bought so many things online and never had a single problem. Everyone should have a credit card as it gives you a credit rating.

 

[cyberarmy]

Grr. I sent Virgin Money a few questions, and after waiting two days for a reply they come back to me just to say that they can only see the subject line of my email and I must phone customer services.

And if you start the application online, and then don't finish it, you have to phone them as well, to get them to clear your profile.

Pfft. I don't want their card that badly.

Agreed. It took me 8-9 months last yeat before they approved my application.

 

[CathJ]

There's an annual fee on credit cards as well.

Not on the virgin money one, which is why I was considering it.

Killa, I have a credit card already, just looking for one with reduced risk.

As I said, the security on this site isn't good, and your cc number is transmitted when you want to unlock a book as well.

Yes, you can dispute transactions with the bank, but i'd rather avoid that hassle as much as possible. I don't leave my keys in the ignition and the car unlocked just because my car's insured; similarly, I try not to be irresponsible with my credit card details just because I can dispute transactions.

 

[kds]

You can try payoneer, its a US issued card so will work everywhere but still have your SA billing address, sites like getafreelancer offer this card and allow you to load it.

Thanks, looks good.