Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for preventing the illegal use of credit, ATM or bank cards or the accounts with which they are associated. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a user configured approval functionality may be provided that subjects every non-exempted transaction to user approval. A smartphone application may also be provided, in which a user sets and modifies parameters for covered transactions, and may approve or deny any transaction subject to a prior approval requirement. Systems and methods according to the present invention may be applied to cards and similar payment devices of any and all types, including, for example, credit cards, bank cards, ATM cards, retailer specific cards, government issued food stamp or other welfare cards, gift cards, and the like.