System, method, and computer program product for packaging and activating stored value cards

A package, comprising:

• a body;
• a first panel coupled to a first edge of the body;
• a second panel coupled to a second edge of the body;
• and
• a third panel coupled to a third edge of the body,
• wherein the first and second panels are secured to each other to form a receiving area that receives a stored value card,
• wherein the third panel is secured to the first and second panels to secure the stored value card, such that the stored value card is unviewable within the package,
• wherein at least one of the body, the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel includes a readable information area that is associated with the stored value card.

A package, comprising:

• a body;
• a first panel coupled to a first edge of the body;
• and
• a second panel coupled to a second edge of the body,
• wherein the first panel is secured to the body to form a receiving area for a stored value card,
• wherein the second panel is secured to the first panel to secure the stored value card, such that the stored value card is unviewably secured within the package,
• wherein at least one of the first panel, the second panel, or the body includes a readable information area that is associated with the stored value card.

A system, comprising:

• a package that unviewably secures at least one stored value card and includes an information area thereon that includes readable information associated with the at least one stored value card;
• a purchasing system that reads the readable information;
• a host system that receives the read readable information from the purchasing system;
• a comparing device that compares the read readable information to stored information stored in the host system and generates a result, the purchasing system controlling a purchase transaction of the package based on the result generated by the comparing device;
• and
• an activation device that activates the at least one stored value card only after the purchasing system has completed the purchase transaction.

A computer program product for activating a stored value card, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored therein, the control logic comprising:

• first computer readable program code means for reading information on a package during purchase of the stored value card using a purchasing system, the information being associated with the stored value card, and the stored value card being unviewably secured within the package;
• and
• second computer readable program code means for initiating communications between the purchasing system and a host system that is associated with the stored value card;
• third computer readable program code means for verifying authenticity of the stored value card;
• and
• fourth computer readable program code means for completing the purchase;
• wherein the stored value card is activated after the purchase of the stored value card is completed.