PayPal Launches Virtual Debit Card

IpSo_ writes "You can now use PayPal via a Virtual Debit Card when making online purchases anywhere MasterCard is accepted. Basically it generates a virtual card number each time you make a transaction online so you don't have to use your personal debit or credit card number. Will people be more comfortable making online purchases with this, or will it flop because its too much of an inconvenience?"

Re:This is a GREAT idea.

[frostyboy]

Well, it'll still show up on some bill (whatever account you have your paypal linked to), just as a "paypal" transaction and not as a "ccbill" or "paycom" or whatever porn-site cc processor the site uses. If you want real privacy, you would have to go to the mall and buy one of those visa gift-cards with cash. Totally untraceable and you can "assign" any address/name info to them for online merchant use. (Note: Of course I've never actually done this, but hear about it all the time from others.)

Obligitory Futurama quote

[Anonymous Coward]

Fry: "Do you take Visa?"
Clerk: "Visa hasn't existed for five hundred years."
Fry: "American Express?"
Clerk: "Six hundred years."
Fry: "Discover Card?"
Clerk: "Hmm... sorry, we don't take Discover."

Re:My real experience in England

[Sqwubbsy]

this little venture will take off like a Saturn V rocket with a barrage of strapon scramjets.

I personally support any paradigm that warrants an analogy with 'strapons'.