Abstract: A method by which a consumer can establish an account which available over the Internet and through which the consumer can make purchases or authorize payments is described. In accordance with the inventive method, a consumer who does not have a credit card is able to use cash to establish and maintain the account, from which on-line purchases can be made. Alternatively, checks or wire transfers can be authorized from the account. In an alternative embodiment, the consumer can protect his privacy by authorizing account transfers, payments, and the like, in which his personal information is unavailable to those with whom he deals.

Abstract: A system and method for incentivizing holders of financial accounts, e.g., credit card account holders, to engage in certain activities with those accounts. Account holders may be provided an up-front incentive based on a commitment to engage in certain account activities in the future. If the account holder fails to satisfy his commitment, at least a portion of the value of the incentive may be charged to a customer account. Rewards provided to an account holder to encourage particular account activities also may include merchandise rewards, discounts and rebates or entries into a lottery type drawing for prizes.