Abstract: A secured debit card package having an embedded value and being adapted to be sold from open and unprotected retail shelving. The secured debit card package comprises a debit card, formed as from a first material bearing a card identification number, and packaging means formed as from a second different material securing the debit card thereto, the packaging means defining a window through which the card identification number is visible, a magnetic stripe disposed on the packaging means, the magnetic stripe bearing an encoded representation of a card identification number borne by the debit card, the stripe being positioned to be scanned by a terminal for reading the encoded representation from the packaging means and for transmitting the encoded representation to a remote processing center for testing of the representation to determine whether the debit card should be activated. A method for providing security for the embedded value of a debit card is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing security for the embedded value of a debit card and a secured debit card package having an embedded value and being adapted to be sold from open and unprotected retail shelving. The second debit card package comprises a debit card, formed as from a first material bearing a card identification number, and packaging formed as from a second different material securing the debit card thereto, the packaging defining a window through which the card identification number is visible, a magnetic stripe disposed on the packaging, the magnetic stripe bearing an encoded representation of a card identification number borne by the debit card, the stripe being positioned to be scanned by a terminal for reading the encoded representation from the packaging and for transmitting the encoded representation to a remote processing center for testing of the representation to determine whether the debit card should be activated.