How to Get An Anonymous Prepaid Credit Card
Looking for an anonymous prepaid credit card? There are more options than you think
I frequently get the question: why would anyone want an anonymous prepaid credit card? Isn't that basically a debit card? And isn't half the point of a credit card to establish a solid credit history -- in your own name?
Well, yes. But there are people out there who want to remain off the grid. I'm not talking about criminals, I'm talking about regular, ordinary people who don't want the government, their favorite charities, or the places they shop tracking their transactions. If that describes you, an anonymous prepaid credit card is your ticket to privacy.
How it works
Nothing is totally anonymous, especially in this post 9/11 world of ours. It used to be that you could simply get an anonymous card with your name and address. Then some issuers started demanding social security numbers, but you could make one up without any problems. Now, though, the Patriot Act means most issuers err on the side of caution. In other words, you probably will have to provide your SSN.
Still, an anonymous prepaid credit card provides more privacy than a standard Visa or MasterCard. They come in handy for things like Internet purchases for people who don't have a credit card, don't particularly want one, but do make the occasional online purchase (and don't want Pay Pal to have access to their bank accounts).
You can actually buy these cards at places like Rite-Aid and 7-Eleven. You pay for the card outright, and now it acts like any other credit card -- until it runs out of funds.
Ups and downs
Of course, an anonymous prepaid credit card is not a good long-term financial option. It does nothing for your credit history. And since most of them cannot be recharged, you have to get a new credit card number every time you get a new card, making them pretty much useless for monthly automatic payments.
Still, if privacy is your concern, an anonymous prepaid credit card gives you a semblance of security.
« What is Average Credit Card Debt? | Home | Why You Need to Compare Credit Cards »
