Abstract: The prepaid system comprises of a system center (host computer network) including an account database containing prepaid accounts, a PDL database containing specifications for rates and feature associated with preferred designation locales (PDL), and a card-type database containing default card specific data. The user connects to the system center by dialing an access number, the system center prompts the user to enter a personal identification number (PIN), the system center receives the PIN and determines if is valid. If the system center determines that the PIN is valid, the system center prompts the user to enter a destination number. The user also has the option to designate a PDL for the prepaid account. If the user designates a PDL, the system center records the PDL in the account database. Subsequently, the behavior of the prepaid account with respect to rates and other features is subject to the PDL designated for the prepaid account.

Abstract: A suite of prepaid card products consisting of prepaid cards cross-matched against labels imprinted with customization codes (CC). At the point of purchase of a prepaid card, the user is provided with one or more labels, each imprinted with one or more CC's, each CC being applicable to the purchased prepaid card account for the purpose of customizing the features & behavior of the prepaid account. The prepaid system comprises of a system center (host computer network) including an accounts database containing prepaid accounts, a customizing database containing specifications for the CC's, and a default database containing default values for customizable parameters. The user connects to the system center by dialing an access number, the system center prompts the user to enter a personal identification number (PIN), and the system center receives and determines if the PIN is valid.