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0 pointsgowld7y ago0 comments

virtual card #s is a great system, why did it rot?

I assume it's because the whole industry prefers data-brokering your purchase history, joined on credit-card # to establish identity.

0 comments

Karunamon7y ago

That's one good reason, another is probably pushback from merchants. Having these virtual cards completely shuts down the "free-trial-we-hope-you'll-forget-and-let-us-ding-you-for-a-month-or-two" business model that's so popular for online services.

pbhjpbhj7y ago

Not sure you need merchant pushback there - if it leads to unexpected charges then it's more likely to lead to inability to pay, or short payment, which gives the credit card companies their chance to feed off the client.

kiriakasis7y ago

Also usability, most people just don't care enough. (which is reasonable often)

mook7y ago

Wouldn't the bank still know your full purchase history (since they know what numbers are tied to you)? So they'd in fact get a leg up on the competition, who get a more distorted view?

mbreese7y ago

But they don’t get the invoices of what you bought, just the total payment amount.

woolvalley7y ago

Unless they work with an analytics system that mastercard, visa & amex participate in to link card numbers to invoices for better advertising & affiliate data.

I know FB & Google purchase something like that from one or two credit card companies, so I wouldn't be surprised if merchants were in to it too.

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