I may not be especially private 
about my social life, my body, or my 
desktop...

It's true...you can touch him for free :-P

As somebody who has given in to these databases, is too lazy to be inconvenienced, and basically welcomed our credit card overlords, I promise I would use untraceable digital cash if it were available. I believe in sci-fi they call them "cred chips".

So if the second place credit card company is looking for a new product, listen to the guy, there's an untapped market! http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards-2 boredteky cmt_pubDate text/html Did you check this product of Greendot? http://www.websecretcard.com/ http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards-3 ryan cmt_pubDate text/html whoa. i hadn't heard of web secret before...but even considering the $5/month fee, it sounds perfect! my current prepaid cards are running out, so i can't wait to hit up a rite aid and pick one up.

thanks for the tip! http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards-4 satan cmt_pubDate text/html 7-eleven also has E-cash cards that look very promising. The fees are better than greendot at 8.95$ per year and 2.00$ to reload. Monthly fees are only after 12 months of inactivity. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards-5 ryan cmt_pubDate text/html a guest commented elsewhere:

Anonymous Cellphones might be possible. I got a VirginMobile phone setup and it seems as though I don't even have to enter in my name, address or anything. Just email when I activated the phone. You can even pay cash.

i replied:

agreed, i'm a prepaid fan too. it is more expensive, but if i ever give in and get a cell phone, i'd definitely go that route.

on a similar note, i've been wondering if the prepaid providers support phone number portability. even if they do, though, i doubt i could keep my current Vonage phone number. sigh…

SunRocket 's All-Inclusive Annual Edition gives you a year's worth of Internet home phone service for only $199. Cancel anytime and receive a refund for unused months.

Unlimited calling ??? U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico Free international minutes ($3.00 credit every month) Free extra phone number - Local or AnyWhere Number Enhanced Emergency 911 Service Over 12 enhanced calling features, including Caller ID, 3-way Calling, Enhanced Voicemail, and much more??? Two free Directory Assistance calls each month No charge to activate No hidden fees - Taxes included in the Bottom-Line Price No cancellation fees 31 day money back guarantee ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL NUMBERS FOR FREE: Signature Number A Signature Number is an extra phone number for anyone in your household and includes its own voicemail box and distinctive ring. The number only supports incoming calls.

Local Signature Number This option provides you with an additional inbound telephone number associated with your local calling area.

AnyWhere Number An AnyWhere Number is a special Signature Number outside of your local calling area. It is a way for people to call you that live in that area without having to pay a long distance charge.

Hope this helps, JSeagull

- JSeagull http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards-7 Guest cmt_pubDate text/html Great article! I'm privacy-obsessed too. If you haven't already read it, you need to pick up a copy of How To Be Invisible by J.J. Luna, and check out his accompanying website at http://www.howtobeinvisible.com. The guy shows you how to live more privately than those in the Federal Witness Protection program. Pretty good info.

You should also check out Privacash cards: http://www.privacash.com I didn't see them mentioned in your article.

Does anyone know whether you can use pre-paid credit cards for hotel and rental car deposits? Since the purpose of a deposit is to use the credit card for additional charges, I wonder if they are sometimes not accepted since they're "throwaway" cards?

How embarassing to be declined checking into a hotel room 2,000 miles from home and they won't accept your only credit card at the hotel!

- Hill http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards-8 Guest cmt_pubDate text/html howtobeinvisible.com is good stuff although privacash doesn't seem to be so priva afterall. I took a look at their privacy policy and it says all the same b.s. as they all do:

"Information We Collect We collect, retain, and use nonpublic personal information about individual customers, as required or allowed by law, solely to provide products and services to our customers. We collect nonpublic, personal information from the following sources:

• Information such as your name, address, phone number, and social security number that we receive from you when you register your PrivaCash card by phone or on the website.
• Information such as your account balance, transaction activity, and transactions parties.

Now compare that to WebSecret's privacy pollicy:

"When you purchase your account, we do not collect your name or other personally-identifiable information about you, other than your zip code and a secret word. For that reason, we will not disclose personal information about you to any third party except as necessary to comply with applicable law or court orders, or if you give us permission."

That's it, thats the whole policy. Sounds better to me! http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards-9 Guest cmt_pubDate text/html Whoever the author is, your article is greatly appreciated.

- Max Power http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards-10 Guest cmt_pubDate text/html I don't think that last guest was really named Max Power ...

- Maulik http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Joe MD cmt_pubDate text/html WebSecret doesn't seem do be available nationwide. It's not available in the DC area. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Joe MD cmt_pubDate text/html WebSecret doesn't seem do be available nationwide. It's not available in the DC area. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards John cmt_pubDate text/html I just think it's that their site doesn't work right....I tried several major metropolitan areas and no dice. Perhaps the same locations as other green dot cards? http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards john cmt_pubDate text/html i just bought a green dot card, put $20 on it, tried to activate it online, it asked me to call their phone number, got on with an account representative who wouldn't activate my account because they couldn't verify the phony personal information i provided. and they can't reimburse me without my mailing address. $30 down the drain, thanks a lot. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards doyouknowhow cmt_pubDate text/html Is anyone able to let me know if there 's another service like that available in the UK ??? http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards anon cmt_pubDate text/html Article seems a bit out of date, but it doesnt actually have a date, so no easy way to tell.

Is there currently any card that exists that is usable? What card(s) are you using now, if any?

Websecret no longer exists.

Perhaps instead of just a list of all companies, you could put put a short list of ones that offer an acceptable card (or maybe a chart showing which features [or misfeatures] each card has associated with it) http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards ryan cmt_pubDate text/html it was written in early 2005, and it's been updated a few times since then. what makes it seem out of date?

also, why do you think websecret no longer exists? i bought a websecret card just a few months ago, and the web site is still up. Green Dot hasn't announced anything about cancelling it.

currently, i'm using Simon gift cards and the occasional websecret card. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards C cmt_pubDate text/html The websecret card has been discontinued.  I called the company and was told that they are no longer able to offer anonomous cards.  Now you must provide your SS# and verifiable personal info. to get a greendot card.  Because some people have websecret cards already, the company cannot shut the website down yet.  It's a drag because it was a good card to use and was widely availible until mid-late summer 2006.  I came to this site looking for alternatives.  Looks like there are none right now. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Egold cmt_pubDate text/html is the best electronic currency I found. Best! http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards GiftCards cmt_pubDate text/html I've used the Simon Malls cards.  They are only $2, and you can load up to $500.  The card agreement says they can charge you a 3% fee for international transactions, but I did one (in US dollars) and never got charged this fee.  The big downside to these cards is once you associate a name and address with the card, you can not change it.

A good alternative is the All-Access Visa gift card.  They sell these at ACE check cashing and some other places,  It's $5.95 for the card, and you can load up to $250.  You can change the name and address as many times as you want.  This is quite useful if you plan to use the card to buy gifts, since you can buy things online and have them shipped to different addresses.

I've also used the vanillavisa.com gift cards.  These are available in smaller denominations (up to $100).  They sell these at rite-aid, cvs, walgreens, etc.  You don't seem to have to register any personal info to use these.  I've used these for online shopping and the card validated regardless of what name/address I put.  These cards say they are only valid in the United States.

When I have a few dollars left on a card, my local gas station doesn't have any problem selling me $3.72 (or whatever amount) of gasoline and charging it to my gift card.  So I use them up that way.  The only thing is I have to stop the pump at the right amount.  If you go over then the card will be declined, and you'll have to use a different payment method.

A friend of mine used up some simon malls cards by paying his phone bill online.  Many utility companies will take partial payments where you can enter the amount you want to pay.  I don't do this because my phone company charges a service fee for each credit card transaction, so I'd end up with a bunch of extra charges if I split up the payment.

I haven't had any merchants refuse a pre-paid card, however if you buy from someone who uses PayPal as their credit card processor, PayPal will first authorize $1, then charge the amount of the purchase.  Thus you need a dollar more on the card than what you plan to spend. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Jim cmt_pubDate text/html One warning about GreenDot cards: if you have a website that gets paid advertising commissions through Google Adsense, GreenDot will lock your account if they get a direct deposit from Google. That happened to me. I called to yell and scream and they said the intent of their direct deposit is for adding funds from an employer paycheck, that's it. Even though the direct deposit program's pimp page inside  your GreenDot account area says commission checks and the like are OK, apparently they're not.

Also, when I called GreenDot to speak to a customer service representative, my call was answered in the Phillipines by someone whose understanding of English was very limited and unfortunately I haven't yet taken the time to learn Tagalag just to get good customer service from their company. I got my password wrong and the rep simply gave me my correct one. I thought that was a bad security practice and asked for a supervisor. The supervisor didn't understand what I was complaining about because he could only speak in broken English. So much for globalization. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Cassandra cmt_pubDate text/html Can anyone tell me which prepaid credit card I can add/use in my paypal account? I recently was on the phone with Paypal asking them if I could add a GreenDot prepaid credit card to my account and they said they do not accecpt them.. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Dee, From Yonkers cmt_pubDate text/html Very good articles and info, I think that GIFTCARDS.COM would also fit in as a potential card to go along with the vannila cards, all acces cards, and simon mall cards as mentioned above. I am personally afraid of idenity theft on the internet and any card as provided by giftcards.com and others that lets you change the name and address on the cards is great for me no matter what the fees, as long as not ridiculous. Basicly you could use any name with these cards and have shipped to your address. Dont mind giveing out my address for delivery, but thats about it. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Posizionamento Motori di Ricerca cmt_pubDate text/html Well... I wonder if anyone able to let me know if there 's another service like that available in the IT?

thanks http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Anouar cmt_pubDate text/html I had been using the Websecret card for a long time. On August 2006 it wouldn't let me activate online anymore. I called their customer service several times. Each time they would take my address and phone number and tell me that they will call me back but they don't. That was the last time I used a websecret card witch cost me $100 down the drain. Now, I use the Simon gift card which has only $3 fees annually; unlike the websecret which is $5 a month. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards International cmt_pubDate text/html I don't know of anyone selling gift cards in Italy, but many of the ones sold in the United States can be used in other countries.  You just have to find someone willing to mail them to you, which many US companies won't do because of fraud, mail theft, customs delays, etc.  But you can buy them on ebay if the seller is cooperative.

If you run a business, and are willing to buy gift cards in bulk then you can get gift card issuers to be more flexible, and maybe sell to you in Italy. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards anon cmt_pubDate text/html Watch out for fees on gift cards!

According to their web site, giftcards.com charges 35 cents per transaction.  I don't know what happens when you try to use up the exact balance remaining. Also it's $2.50 per month after the first 6 months.

Vanilla Visa fees are $3.95 for $25, $4.95 for $50, $5.95 for $100. Free for 12 months, then $1.50/month, but beware: Many of the vanillavisa cards I've bought had an expiration date on the card which was less than 12 months away.  Totally anonymous card though. The name on the card (and magstripe) is "A GIFT FOR YOU".

Netspend gift card: There are two versions of this card. There are the ones they sell at the supermarkets which begin with 4007 66... These are available in $25, $50, $100 denominations. Then there are the ones they sell at the check cashing places which you specify the amount.  These begin with 4046 75... The fees are the same: $5.95, free for 6 months, then $2.95/month.  You can check your balance for free on their web site, but they charge 50 cents if you call their 800 number!

Simon malls visa: $2, free for 12 months, then $2.50/month

American Express gift card: $3.95 for $25, $4.95 for $50, $5.95 for $100. Expires on date printed on card.

Mastercard cancelled all their prepaid cards, including websecret. You can't buy the regular gift cards either.  Only Visa and AmEx.

The one dollar authorizations are really annoying.  Paypal is not the only company that does this.  Apple did this to me when I bought an iPod from their web site.  It takes 7 days before the $1 is removed.

I've had mixed luck using cards at gas stations.  If the place lets you pump first and then pay, then it's usually ok as long as you stop the pump so it doesn't go over the amount.  But make sure you have some cash in case they (or you) screw it up.  Some places will let you tell them how much you want to charge, have you sign the receipt, and then let you go pump that amount.  I've found Shell stations will usually do that.  Some places just won't take gift cards or will always try to authorize $50 or whatever.  It depends on how their credit card processing system is set up.  Tell the cashier you have a gift card and ask what to do.  If the person has been working there a while they will usually know what the procedure is.

Another thing I have done is buy regular store gift cards using the remaining balance, if they are the kind of gift card where you can put any amount.  Some stores will not do this because they have a cash-only policy for gift cards, so this doesn't always work. One place that does let you do it is Panera.  And they have free wireless too :) http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards The Doctor cmt_pubDate text/html My my my.... Paranoia is alive and well in the house.  Wait, is that a black helicopter I hear?? http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Do NOT, I repeat DO NOT buy Privacash Cards!! cmt_pubDate text/html They state on their website "Customer Service is Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week".  You call the number, have to punch in your account # and opt to be transferred to a rep.  Then They charge your card 1 fee for account investigation (for punching in your card #, which you have no choice but to do in order to get through) and another fee called a 'transfer fee' for being put through to an agent.  I had their prepaid card for a couple months, needed a virtual card, spent $50 on one which clearly claims "INSTANT" access to your new card number and 3 digit security code..  submitted the order, got a blank page.  The money was taken from my account immediately.  30 Minutes later, no email, nothing.  I call them and a #1: the woman I spoke with had no idea what a Virtual credit card even was.. I had to try and explain it to her, and she kept telling me it would be mailed in 7-10 business days.  After persisting, she put me on hold, came back and told me to call the 'home office' during regular business hours the next day.  HELLO?!  But if I wanted to go get a prepaid card in the AM, I would have chosen a card I could actually use.. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards The Victim cmt_pubDate text/html Ah, yes, The Doctor:  spoken like one who has not had an identity theft problem. (Yet.)  Lucky you. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Thanxfortheinfo! cmt_pubDate text/html Do any of these cards accept refunds like regular cards? http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Michael cmt_pubDate text/html You CAN use Greendot  cards in Paypal and you can also use Greendot Cards to make EFT's from your Greendot  card to your Paypal account.

I currently have a Greendot card added to my Paypal account and I can also use it to make EFT's from my Greendot card to my Paypal Account. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Michael cmt_pubDate text/html Yes, they also accept refunds like a regular card . http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards patt cmt_pubDate text/html Today i bought a visa all access card ($166 loaded) I wanted to buy something online. This was the biggest mistake of my life!!! First i gave my ssn and tried to purchase the item and it would not let me. I called customer service only for them to say that i needed to send them copy's of my ssn and drivers licence, NO THANKS!!. so i thought forget this. I went to a local atm so that i would get my money and destroy the card but visa had already unauthorized the card!!! I called and told them of this and they said they had locked it and that they would not unblock the card until i gave them more info about myself. They even said that this all access card was not a gift card that it was more of a bank account which is ridiculous since the official site advertises it as such!!!!! I tried to reason with them but it was useless they said all they could do if i didn't want to send them more info was to close the account, charge me $6 for refund and finally send me a check that will arrive in 3 - 4 WEEKS!!! AGHHHHHHHHHHH. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Need Advice cmt_pubDate text/html Does anyone have an opinion on the best card to use not all my correct personal information, but the card can be reloaded with cash? http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Anonymous cmt_pubDate text/html Do you ever actually have to register your name and address to use a gift card?  I've used Simon cards and All-Access gift cards for online shopping without ever registering.  When you go to the web site to check your balance they will ask you to put in your name and address, but you can skip it and still use the card to make purchases.

Note: I am talking about the All-Access GIFT card, not what patt purchased.  The gift card has "Gift" written on it in cursive letters. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Anonymous cmt_pubDate text/html Are there any gift cards that you can use at ATMs?  I can't find any, all the ones I've found allow me to purchase in cash without any ID or connection to who I am, but I can't find any that are ATM Capable.  Anyone know any stores in the USA that sell the ATM Capable gift cards? http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Anon pt II cmt_pubDate text/html (From Simon Gift Card Terms)  -
  __________________

Preauthorized/Recurring Payments:

You agree not to make preauthorized or recurring regular payments through the use of the Giftcard.

(Seriously, what if you do this unknowingly or intentionally for
that matter?)

Internet, Mail, and Phone Order Purchases:

Internet, mail, and phone order purchases may require that
we have the name and address of the Giftcard owner on file.
If you wish to make internet or mail order purchases,
you will need to go to www.simongiftcard.com and enter your name and address prior to performing an internet, mail, or phone order transaction.

(I suppose you could fudge the name and address when asked, right?)
  ________________________

While I totally dig the privacy preservation angle and all, my personal strategy is to use such cards to thwart the sneaky companies who dupe you into recurring monthly payment programs. I've read about this problem here - 

http://www.infomercialscams.com/scams/video_professor

and here -

http://www.infomercialblog.com/

They cannot overdraw or charge a prepaid card when its empty!

Privacy issues aside, if you like to purchase 'digital' or 'non-tangible goods' like .mp3s, .pdfs, or ebooks online and worry about a website's  'free monthly membership trial' rolling-over into a steep monthly membership charge BEFORE you can effectively cancel in time, then these cards might be used to circumvent that dilemma as well.

Privacy buffs be sure to check this out too -

Residential Wi-Fi Mapping Database Revealed
(aka 'Your Wireless router's location is now known by all...Thanks AOL!')

<a href="http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/03/20/1932253&from=rss">http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/03/20/1932253&from=rss</a> http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards dot dash cmt_pubDate text/html I buy my pre-paid Visa cards from Ultimate Anonymity. You can get it in any name and address you want and it works on sites that use AVS (address verification system). Send a money order in the mail with a note of what name and address you want to use and a few days later you get a password protected txt file (the password is the zipcode you sued in the address) with the card details. Very convenient. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Girl cmt_pubDate text/html Is there a pre paid credit card that lets you load more than $500 on it?  I'm looking for a card that I can walkin and buy with cash. Last time I had a prepaid card all I had to do was pay a fee and they let me load up to $1,500. http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Ryan cmt_pubDate text/html whoa, really? the $500 limit seems pretty widespread for cards that you buy with cash. if you find your $1500 card, or another one that goes above $500, please let us know! http://snarfed.org/ privacy through prepaid credit cards Ryan cmt_pubDate text/html On Mon, 26 Mar 2007, stuart wrote:

I really enjoy your site. There is some really useful info on there. I recently read your take on prepaid credit cards. I am in the process of trying to rebuild my credit. I'm looking for a prepaid card that reports to the credit bureaus. I don't think greendot reports. Do you know of any that do?