Web users without a credit card are being offered
pre-paid temporary Visa card vouchers to allow them to shop
online.
Ireland’s 3V Transaction Services is partnering with Visa, Irish
Life and Permanent, and the Payzone cash acceptance network to
launch pay-as-you-go online shopping vouchers.
The Visa numbers are bought on a mobile phone and work like a
mobile top-up scheme. Users do not need any credit checks or bank
account details to take part in the scheme.
To buy vouchers, users must register for a free 3V Prepaid
Voucher Card. A shop assistant will swipe the user’s 3V Prepaid
Voucher Card through the point of sale terminal and print their 3V
Voucher, with its unique 16-digit Visa number.
Immediately afterwards, an SMS or e-mail will be sent to them
with the security details for the 3V Voucher, the expiry date and a
three-digit Pin. These will be needed to complete purchases
online.
Users can check the balance of their 3V Vouchers online and once
they have done their shopping, or after the voucher has expired,
they can redeem any unused funds online and throw away the
voucher.
There is a £3.50 fee for every voucher purchased, and a £1.70
fee for redeeming any remaining balances.