Debit card with activation control

A method of providing security for the embedded value of a debit card adapted to be displayed and sold in an unsecured environment such as a retail establishment, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a debit card having an embedded value with a card identification number;
• securing said debit card within a package defining a window through which said card identification number is visible;
• providing a magnetic stripe on said package;
• reading the card identification number through said window, and providing an encoded representation of said card identification number on said stripe, said magnetic stripe being positioned on said package to be presented to a terminal for reading and transmission of said encoded representation to a remote computer, whereby, when said remote computer receives said encoded representation, the remote computer may determine whether the embedded value is authorized for use.

A method of making a secured debit card package for display and sale in an unsecured environment such as a retail establishment, comprising the steps of

• providing a plurality of pre-formed debit cards of a first material, each debit card bearing a card identification number and each debit card having an embedded value,
• providing a plurality of packages, each package being adapted to house a said debit card, each said package defining a window and having a magnetic stripe,
• securing a said debit card to a said package with said card identification number being visible through said window, and
• after securing a said debit card to a said package, reading said card identification number through said window and applying an encoded representation of said debit card identification number to said magnetic stripe, whereby when said magnetic stripe is presented to a terminal for reading said encoded representation, said representation may be transmitted to a remote computer for authorizing the use of said embedded value.

A debit card system with activation control, the debit card system comprising:

• a debit card having front and rear surfaces and bearing a card identification number;
• a package substantially surrounding the debit card, the package being adapted to make said card identification number visible therethrough;
• a magnetic stripe disposed on the package, the magnetic stripe bearing an encoded representation of said card identification number derived from viewing the identification number on the debit card after it is surrounded by the package;
• a terminal adapted to read a representation of said card identification number from the package and transmit said representation to a remote processing center, said terminal having a terminal identification number;
• and
• a remote processing center for testing said representation and activating said debit card for use by a purchaser.

A debit card system with activation control, the debit card system comprising:

• a debit card bearing a card identification number;
• a package substantially surrounding the debit card, the package being adapted to make said card identification number visible;
• a magnetic stripe disposed on the package, the magnetic stripe bearing an encoded representation of said card identification number;
• a terminal adapted to read a representation of said card identification number from the package and transmit said representation to a remote processing center, said terminal having a terminal identification number;
• a remote processing center for testing said representation and activating said debit card for use by a purchaser;
• and
• wherein said remote processing center tests said representation and said terminal identification number, and, if an anticipated association exists, activates said debit card for use by a purchaser;
• and
• wherein said anticipated association comprises a correspondence between the geographic location to which said debit card was shipped and the geographic location of the terminal identified by said terminal identification number.