Abstract: An account management system allows a prepaid account provider to link a prepaid account to a purchaser of the prepaid instrument used to access the prepaid account. The system uses a prepaid instrument identifier and purchase data collected during the purchase of the prepaid instrument to create the linkage. The purchase data includes information identifying the purchaser, such as the purchaser's account number or name, the purchasing instrument used, the value placed on the prepaid instrument, value-added services requested by the purchaser, and transaction details such as the place and time of purchase. Using the linked prepaid instrument data and purchase data, the prepaid account provider extracts the purchased value from the purchaser's account, opens a prepaid account that is associated with the purchaser and the prepaid instrument, and deposits the purchased value into the prepaid account.