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‘Virtual credit card’ offers online security

John Roos used to be afraid to shop online. "I hate to give out my real credit card number," said the retired manager of a computer center.

But Roos, of New Rochelle, N.Y., recently bought a $500 TV online after he discovered a little-known credit card service that allows him to give Internet retailers a substitute credit card number for his account.

Offered to holders of Citi, Discover and MBNA cards, these "virtual credit cards," or single-use card numbers, are designed to give some peace of mind to consumers concerned about credit card fraud. Although the system slightly differs on each card, the principle is the same: For no extra charge, consumers sign up at the credit card’s Web site, often downloading software on their computers. Then, when they’re ready to shop, they receive a randomly generated substitute 16-digit number that they can use at the online store. The number can be used once or, in some cases, repeatedly at the same store.

By Caroline E. Mayer
(c) 2005, The Washington Post Wednesday

Full Story: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2005/10/05/news/business/97a7a2f3575cb38387257090007820e8.txt

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