Stored Value

Prepaid cards or stored-value cards are simply a way of holding and gaining access to value (cash or other units, such as loyalty points) held on a card account. Typically value is pre-loaded onto the account before the card is used, although in many cases the value is not ''activated'' until the card has been either swiped at the point of sale or activated using an IVR, the web or a central database activation process.

Depending on the client programme, stored-value cards can be designed in many forms: disposable or reloadable, generic or personalised (associated to a known and named individual).

Value stored on a card can be spent at participating merchants and its use is typically supported via all the main sales channels: point of sale, web (e-commerce), unattended payment terminals and over the telephone.

All transactions (purchases and loads of value) from or onto a card are authorised in real-time by PrePay Technologies authorisation platform which in turn ensures the integrity of the system and guards against fraud and cardholder loss.

Until recently most stored-value cards, with the exception of the Splash Plastic card programme, were issued as a direct replacement for paper gift vouchers. But increasingly, as the market begins to understand the benefits of prepay, a range of new and exciting products is being adopted. Examples include: insurance replacement cards, payroll cards, loyalty cards and promotion and incentive cards.

PrePay Technologies is at the forefront of developing the stored value market and driving forward innovation on behalf of our customers. Since the issue of our first stored-value card in 2000 we have now issued over 2 million cards.

If you would like to find out more about the comprehensive range of products and services we offer in your market sector, please call us at +44 (0) 2070 344 344