A computer-implemented method for enhancing authorization of prepaid payment cards is provided. The method is implemented using an interchange network and an authorization computing device in communication with a memory. The method includes routing communications between a plurality of merchants and a plurality of issuing banks, providing transaction data for transactions by a plurality of prepaid payment cards, storing a plurality of transaction histories associated with the plurality of prepaid payment cards, receiving, over the interchange network, an authorization request for a payment transaction between a cardholder and an originating merchant initiated using a prepaid payment card, determining a likelihood of a second amount for a related payment transaction from the originating merchant, determining a transaction history associated with the prepaid payment card, determining whether there are sufficient funds associated with the prepaid payment card for the first and second amounts, and notifying the originating merchant of the determination.

A system for facilitating virtual gifting of goods or services over a communications network includes: a) a first client module configured for purchasing a virtual gift for a recipient, b) a second client module configured for receiving and viewing the purchased virtual gift from the server, over the communications network; c) a third client module configured for receiving a wireless signal for the recipient from the second client module and viewing the purchased virtual gift, and d) a web server module configured for processing electronic payment for the purchased virtual gift with a payment gateway, transmitting the purchased virtual gift to the second client module, and transmitting a confirmation of payment for the purchased virtual gift to a brick and mortar outlet, wherein the purchased virtual gift is configured for redemption at said brick and mortar outlet.

A computer-implemented method for providing payment account information in a user account by receiving payment card information by a card reader at a point of sale. An account can be created when the payment card information is read by the card reader. Optionally, a gift card can be scanned prior to the creation of the account, and the gift card information can be combined with the payment card information. The gift card can be an electronic gift card which can be personalized with textual, visual, video, and/or audio portions.

A system and method determines the creditworthiness of a consumer and issues a loan. An initial set of data is acquired from the consumer that includes non-identification attributes without obtaining a full name, a credit card number, a passport number, or a government issued ID number that allows identification of the consumer. A user ID number matches the initial set of data to a physical user in a transaction database. A credit score based on the average credit among a plurality of user profiles is matched to determine a maximum credit for the consumer. A transaction card, such as a prepaid transaction card or stored value card, is issued to the consumer having a value corresponding to the amount of the loan.

Provided are techniques for generating and processing a gift card transaction. A hyperlink specific to the purchase of a gift card from a merchant is made available to a user. The hyperlink is selectable to initiate a purchase of a gift card that can be applied towards the purchase of goods and/or services offered by the merchant. When the user selects the hyperlink, the user is redirected to a website associated with a payment provider to complete the transaction for the purchase of the gift card. Funds for the purchase of the gift card are deposited by the payment provider into a temporary account associated with the merchant. When a valid use of the gift card is made with the merchant, at least a portion of the funds deposited in the holding account are distributed to the merchant.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stamp issuing method using a stamp card comprises these steps: offer a sales procedure by stamp card type and issue stamp cards through the procedure; receive purchase request signals from a user terminal, offer a procedure to select mail options and decide a payment method according to the information and service type chosen by the user through the procedure; offer a payment procedure depending on whether pre-payment or post-payment or a procedure to print a postal registration certificate; and offer a procedure to issue a stamp or print out an FDC after the postage is payed through the procedure.

A computer-implemented method of purchasing gifts includes under control of one or more configured computing systems, selecting a gift item desired by a gift recipient, maintaining a list for the gift recipient that includes the selected gift item, and assigning a sales price to the selected gift item on the list. On a visual display, a processor is used for dividing the selected gift item into two or more gift parts that are available for individual purchase by gift contributors. The selected gift item is divided into the two or more gift parts on the visual display by showing a boundary on the visual display that defines a bounded area, showing the selected gift item on the visual display, inside the bounded area and surrounded by the boundary, and generating at least one dividing line inside the bounded area that divides the bounded area into two or more individual sections that are visible on the visual display, whereby each of the gift parts is located inside a different one of the individual sections. A monetary value is assigned to each of the respective gift parts that is less than the sales price assigned to the selected gift item. Gift contributors can purchase at least one of the gift parts at the monetary value assigned thereto and leave comments that are unique to the gift part.

A computer-implemented method for communicating about a product includes under control of one or more configured computer systems, selecting a product having a unique identifier (UID), using the unique identifier (UID) for the selected product to link a unique social media feed to the selected product, and enabling users to access the unique social media feed for engaging in social media conversations about the selected product. The method includes selecting a second product having a second unique identifier (2UID), using the second unique identifier (2UID) for the selected second product to link a second unique social media feed to the selected second product, and enabling users to access the second unique social media feed for engaging in social media conversations about the selected second product. The unique identifier (UID) is serial numbers, random numbers, names maintained by a central registry, or codes maintained by a central registry. The unique identifier (UID) assigned to the selected product is a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), a Universal Product Code (UPC), a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), an International Article Number (EAN), or an Australian Product Number (APN).

A method for providing a locked electronic item includes receiving a selection of an electronic lock and the electronic item from a first computing device associated with a sender. The electronic lock includes a lock clue and a lock solution. The method includes determining an answer input field configuration that includes a number of input boxes and spaces that may be arranged to correspond to the lock solution. The method includes transmitting the lock clue and the input field configuration to a second computing device associated with a recipient for display by the second computing device and receiving an attempted lock solution from the second computing device. The method further includes transmitting the electronic item to the second computing device for display or use by the second computing device in response to determining that the attempted lock solution matches the lock solution.

A computerized system for activating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network. A central information database is provided for storing stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers PCs through a universal central processor via respective communication gateways. The central processor is coupled for communication realtime to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks normally operated by respective hosts. Each network includes a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices. The central processor is programmed for managing the activation and issuance of transactions and activities for the stored-value card through the respective unaffiliated networks. The universal central processor is programmed to issue the stored-value cards directly to the cardholder or card purchaser by download over respective communication gateways. The universal central processor is further programmed for reporting the card activations, issuances, transactions and activities to the cardholders and the merchants thereby providing a universal management system.