Abstract: A unitary, self-contained card (10) which does not require interaction with a fixed terminal device to prevent monitoring of confidential information contained within the card (10). The unitary, self-contained card (10) has the ability to verify a personal identification number (PIN) which is entered directly into the card by way of a keyboard (12) without the use of an outside terminal and produce a transaction identification code (TIC) which varies for each transactional use of the card (10) and which can later be verified to determine the validity of the transaction. The card (10) is capable of storing issue and expiration dates, credit limit balances and other card transactional data. The card (10) can be used in conjunction with a validation system (102) with provisions for verifying information recorded on the magnetic indicia (22) of the card (10).