Abstract: A method for providing credit-card-free access to an end-user who is renting an item from a provider, which involves registering an end-user with a trusted third party via a trusted-third-party server using an end-user portal; registering a provider with the trusted third party via the trusted-third-party server using a provider portal; and providing the end user with a transaction element usable in connection with said trusted-third-party server, the transaction element configured to provide to the provider, via the trusted-third-party server: verification of the identity the end user; verification of funds available to rent an item for the provider; and a transaction fraud check to confirm, at the time of a transaction, that the end-user is authorized to conduct the transaction.