Abstract: Conducting payment card transactions through a payment network through a card reader with a merchant authentication code attached. A payment is processed in connection with a transaction using a payment card. Prior to approving the transaction, the payment card holder is contacted and requested to provide the merchant authentication code. If the merchant authentication code provided by the payment card holder is consistent with the merchant authentication code affixed to the device, approving the transaction. The merchant authentication code may be text, a bar code, a quick response code, a hologram or other code. The merchant authentication code may include information regarding the merchant such as location, business name and the like.

Abstract: Conducting payment card transactions through a networked device of a user wherein the networked device comprises a card reader and a wireless application operated by the networked device. The transaction may comprise acquiring information from a client's payment card using the card reader; providing such information from the card reader to the networked device through a headphone or similar jack; and processing the data through the mobile application connected to a payment network. More specifically, the networked device transmits a known first signal to the card reader, the card reader returns a second signal which is a function of the first signal and a third signal generated by the card reader that is indicative of information stored on a payment card, and the networked device derives the third signal from the first signal and the function applied to the first signal and the third signal.

Abstract: Conducting payment card transactions through a payment network through a card reader with a merchant authentication code attached. A payment is processed in connection with a transaction using a payment card. Prior to approving the transaction, the payment card holder is contacted and requested to provide the merchant authentication code. If the merchant authentication code provided by the payment card holder is consistent with the merchant authentication code affixed to the device, approving the transaction. The merchant authentication code may be text, a bar code, a quick response code, a hologram or other code. The merchant authentication code may include information regarding the merchant such as location, business name and the like.

Abstract: A charge number issuing and transaction system providing a universally acceptable, anonymous and secure payment option. An issuing and transaction system receives a bin of valid purchase numbers from an issuing bank, establishes a prepaid cash account for a user, detects a request for a charge number by the user, and provides a valid purchase number via a computer or telephonic network. The user may then consummate a pending transaction or a subsequent transaction via the network using the provided purchase number. The transaction is cleared through a charge settlement network. The issuing and transaction system may be pre-certified as processor for the purchase numbers, where the charge settlement network routes the purchase transaction back to the issuing and transaction system for verification, authorization and settlement. The issuing and transaction system may generate and provide a valid expiration date and may further expire each purchase number after being used.

Abstract: A method of conducting a promotional scheme to identify potential customers and online cash account users in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The method includes publishing information via a public media including identification information that identifies the promotional scheme, receiving responses by entrants via an electronic communications network, creating an online cash account for each entrant, linking each online cash account created for each entrant to the identified promotional scheme, determining if a response is a winning response, and providing an online prize to at least one entrant that provided a winning response. The identification information may be existing manufacturer's serial numbers or new tokens printed on product packaging. A single token may be published or multiple different tokens may be published with one or more winning tokens. Publication is by any broadcast or print media. A convenient prize is an online cash account loaded with cash.

Abstract: A system and method of providing an online content portal for sending affiliate content to users of an online account system via the Internet. An online content portal is provided with each user cash account for sending affiliate content. Users conduct purchase transactions with third parties via the Internet using online cash account funds. The system is configured to provide valid charge numbers acceptable to the third parties to consummate the purchase transactions. The charge numbers are similar to standard credit card numbers and universally accepted, where the system is also configured to be the processor of such charge numbers. The shopping and purchase activity of users is monitored and stored along with account information in a user information database. Affiliates may download and/or search the user information database to target users for sending the affiliate content.