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While not perfect, some issuers have a way of generating temporary card #s on line, that can only be used at one retailer for a short period of time. See, e.g, Citi's Virtual Account Numbers
With WU/Moneygram, YMMV. Most major banks will code them as cash advances while some credit unions will code them as purchases.
@JediNeo wrote:I think my concern dealing directly with the retailer is CC fraud. Lucky I've never had to experience that. In my mind it's easier to lose $x.xx via money gram vs trying to correct issues with possible fraud/ID theft.
Actually, it is much easier to fight CC fraud with direct charges from retailer than through 3rd party such as PayPal, Money Gram, etc.
In fact, you have zero protection if your payment does not come from retailer directly, both in federal law and in T&C aspect.
@longtimelurker wrote:While not perfect, some issuers have a way of generating temporary card #s on line, that can only be used at one retailer for a short period of time. See, e.g, Citi's Virtual Account Numbers
Be careful with this approach. Some retailers will want to manually verify CC before approving charges. This involves either a call to CC issuer or a photo copy of your CC.
Plus, some foreign websites only accept card that support 3-D Secure (Verified by Visa, MasterCard SecureCode). Most US issued card don't support this feature.
@trumpet-205 wrote:
@JediNeo wrote:I think my concern dealing directly with the retailer is CC fraud. Lucky I've never had to experience that. In my mind it's easier to lose $x.xx via money gram vs trying to correct issues with possible fraud/ID theft.
Actually, it is much easier to fight CC fraud with direct charges from retailer than through 3rd party such as PayPal, Money Gram, etc.
In fact, you have zero protection if your payment does not come from retailer directly, both in federal law and in T&C aspect.
+1
I would want to protect my investment. Especially if it is a large purchase. Your protection as a buyer is a great thing about credit cards.
@trumpet-205 wrote:@longtimelurker wrote:
While not perfect, some issuers have a way of generating temporary card #s on line, that can only be used at one retailer for a short period of time. See, e.g, Citi's Virtual Account Numbers
Be careful with this approach. Some retailers will want to manually verify CC before approving charges. This involves either a call to CC issuer or a photo copy of your CC.
Plus, some foreign websites only accept card that support 3-D Secure (Verified by Visa, MasterCard SecureCode). Most US issued card don't support this feature.
I would have thought that Citi would verify the Virtual Account number if called, is that not the case?
I've never had a retailer asking for a photocopy of a cc, sounds too dangerous for the sender and, in the age of photoshop, no real protection for the merchant.
Foreign sites I buy from do sometimes attempt Verified by Visa, but drop the request if the card I am using doesn't support it. But I guess that there are those that wouldn't. But if that is the case, the OP is out of luck using a CC anyway, right?
@longtimelurker wrote:I've never had a retailer asking for a photocopy of a cc, sounds too dangerous for the sender and, in the age of photoshop, no real protection for the merchant.
Foreign sites I buy from do sometimes attempt Verified by Visa, but drop the request if the card I am using doesn't support it. But I guess that there are those that wouldn't. But if that is the case, the OP is out of luck using a CC anyway, right?
One site I visit from time to time, Play-Asia.com, would ask for a photo copy of CC and photo ID if you use a CC that doesn't support 3-D Secure. It happened to me once. Luckily they allow you to black out everything except your name plus first and last 4 digits of your CC number.
Some foreign sites will reject cards that don't support 3-D Secure. Most would skip it if your card does not support it, but some makes it mandatory.
And no, Citi does not verifiy virtual account number if you engage a conference call with them and retailers.
Note: 3-D Secure is a collective name for Verified by Visa, MasterCard SecureCode, AMEX SafeKey, etc.