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A pre-paid card system enables customers to make purchases using an authorized card. The system includes four main functional components: a plurality of cards, a host computer, a plurality of on-site activation terminals and a main processor. Each of the cards having a security number associated the

A pre-paid card system enables customers to make purchases using an authorized card. The system includes four main functional components: a plurality of cards, a host computer, a plurality of on-site activation terminals and a main processor. Each of the cards having a security number associated therewith. The card is typically formed of cardboard, paper or plastic and may include the security number in cleartext under a suitable blackout. The main management and processing of the system is effected by the host computer. The host includes a database for storing security numbers associated with authorized cards. The data terminals are remote from the host computer and connectible thereto for transmitting data between the terminals and the host computer. The processor is controlled by the host computer for enabling customer purchases using the authorized cards.

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A method, using one or more remote communications devices connectable to a host computer having a database, to enable customers to acquire credit to be used to purchase good or services, comprising the steps of: in response to one or more requests, transferring information from a communications devi

A method, using one or more remote communications devices connectable to a host computer having a database, to enable customers to acquire credit to be used to purchase good or services, comprising the steps of: in response to one or more requests, transferring information from a communications device to the host computer, the information including data identifying a card to be activated or recharged, the card having an identifying number; associating, at the host computer, an amount of purchase authorization to the identifying number of the card using the information transferred from the communications device; maintaining in the database a record for each card identifying number having an purchase authorization amount associated therewith, the record including a credit balance; and adjusting the credit balance in the record associated with the identifying number as goods or services are purchased.