Paysafecard

Paysafecard is an electronic payment means, that works on the prepaid system and only by the contractor can be converted into a real currency again. It can be used as a micro-payment system and settlement of medium and small amounts, for example, when buying and selling in online trading.

History

Paysafecard exists since 2000 and was the first bank- legally approved online payment method in Europe. The card is issued by the PrePaid Services Company Limited and managed. The company originally had its headquarters in Vienna, now stated they also in London and New York; in the German imprint London is given as a seat. paysafecard is represented in 37 countries (Europe, Australia, North and South America) with a total of 450,000 points of sale. According to PrePaid Services paysafecard is now accepted by about 4,000 online shops in Europe, Australia, North and South America as a payment system. Since 2006 paysafecard is supported by the EU funding program eTENs in the spread throughout Europe. Since 30 May 2008, the company paysafecard has an EU-wide license for the issuance of electronic money and regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority. In March 2009 paysafecard has been awarded the Paybefore Award as the best non-American prepaid payment method. In addition, paysafecard has been selected under the second PrePaid Awards in London on 13 October 2009 "Leading PrePaid Organization 2009 ".

2011 took over the Dutch payment provider paysafecard, Wallie. In February 2013, the Group was in turn paysafecard, formerly Moneybookers taken over by the British online payment service Moneybookers.

Operation

The user purchases at point of sale (eg petrol station, newsagent, post office, lottery outlet, food retailing ) a credit worth between 10 and 100 euros, which is handed to him in the form of a 16-digit PIN. This PIN is entered during the checkout process at an online shop. If the credit is the paysafecard up, the respective PIN is invalid and the user must purchase a new paysafecard as needed. If the credit is not completely spent after 12 months, 2 Euro commitment fees are deducted from the balance monthly. If there is no more money on the card is, nothing can be issued.

The webshops which provide paysafecard as a payment option, are mainly in the areas of online games and services, betting and gaming, music downloads, and telephony ( VoIP). Your number is expected to amount to 4,000.

The amount limit for " anonymous " customer is 100 euros per card. Since January 11, 2012, it is due to stricter anti-money laundering provisions is no longer possible to pay amounts in excess of € 100 in a single transaction with bought in Germany paysafecard PINs, September 5, 2012, is also a registry to circumvent this limit in Germany not possible ..

Not remove the credit card for a one transaction, so the missing amount with a second card can be paid. However, this does not apply to cards purchased in Germany, then it is only one card per transaction are used. The 100 - euro mark for anonymous Cardholder remains there. Registered customers can also use more than two cards up to a maximum of 1,000 euros. The standard customer must not be exceeded a maximum credit of 2,500 euro, for higher sums of the so-called Unlimited- status service.

The card output (also second edition by breakdown or theft) as well as the balance inquiry / transaction history on the Internet are free. For payment with paysafecard in EUR are no fees, other currencies, an exchange premium of 2 % of the transaction will be charged. After the first 12 months of purchase, the company charges a commitment fee of € 2 per month. You may at any time require the payment of the balance on the card balance, but then one must make ( up to the copy of the photo ID ) and bank account details of his person. A fee of € 7.50 will it only apply if the redemption is requested before or after more than one year after the expiry of the contract. Because the contract but is explicitly closed indefinitely, they should always apply. De facto, must be so consumed the balance of a card at 12 months, to use them economically. One of termination not need it, with a balance is drawn successively from the company as part of the monthly commitment fee. The collection of the fee by credit use is not possible for the company for anonymous clients lack of data. On the merchant side falls on a transaction- dependent discount. This is calculated according to the amount of the monthly turnover with paysafecard and by industry. Usually fall for 8 to 19.5% transaction fees for the merchant, decisive is the partner who was chosen for the transactions.

Security

Special distinction from other online means of payment is in addition to the prepaid principle that no personal data of the user are required to make a payment process. The paysafecard is suitable protection against third parties, as in case of abuse may be lost the maximum amount on the card. paysafecard offers by the inherent prepaid method almost complete protection against identity theft and phishing.

Apart from bringing the paysafecard for consumers a relevant risk when it is mistakenly understood as a means of payment with fiduciary. The Internet is often an overview of relevant frauds in classified markets and online auctions.

The majority of customers will not be tested explicitly. The respective dealer checks for themselves whether a purchased item with age limit to each customer must be issued. Even in the event of an objection to the purchase by the parent or guardian is not paysafecard in the duty but the dealer.

Making calls with paysafecard

The company woopla GmbH offered 2010 as the first to pay phone calls per paysafecard. For this purpose, the user selects a specific number and then enters his paysafecard PIN. Meanwhile, there are 12 phone providers according to the company.

Use by ransomware propagator

The paysafecard Ukash is next to " ransom " payments to the distributors of ransomware virus as the " Federal Police Trojans " (also called " blackmail Trojan horses" ) and to forward his successor and to ensure their anonymity. The latest version of ransomware virus encrypts all personal data of the victim. The ransomware uses asymmetric keys. Who pays the required 50 or 100 euros, the money will never see again, leaving the computer compromised.

Alternatives

• Prepaid credit card
• Ukash
• ClickandBuy
• Paylife card ( in Austria, acting as a prepaid credit card and can also be used as )
• Bitcoin