Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for securing payment over a network from a customer to a merchant. A trusted party component receives an instruction from the customer to pay the merchant, the instruction including confidential payment information of the customer. The trusted party component creates payment authentication information based on the confidential payment information. Based on the payment authentication information, the trusted party component pays the merchant on behalf of the customer without the confidential payment information of the customer being disclosed to the merchant.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a simple and easy-to-use system to make electronic payments on the Web. Specifically, methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide anonymity, security and accountability. To do so, pre-paid stored value card (“cash card”) including a card identification number for a predetermined amount of money may be purchased at a point of sale. To ensure security, Personal Security Codes are established for a user at a server. To use the cash cards, a user may visit a Web merchant, select an item to purchase, and enter the card identification number and the Personal Security Code to transmit for confirmation to the server. The server subtracts the cost of the item from the predetermined amount on the cash card.