A fantastic credit card solution from 3V.
3V is a prepaid credit card from PermanentTSB. It allows you to top up in a similar manner to topping up a pre paid mobile phone. You can use it to purchase online as if using a regular VISA card and you don’t even need a back account.
In December, my own credit card expired. I assume the bank will send me on another one. Im hoping that they don’t, like many people I found it to be too convenient and the amount on the card crept up.
When you register you receive a 3V card in the post. When you want to purchase something online you go to a 3V retailer to top it up. There used to be a €5 cost to top up the card, it appears now to cost only €2.50 to top up with amounts such as €10, €20, €30 etc. Its free to top up with €20 and there is a maximum of €350 allowed on the card.You have to pay with cash, they won’t accept payment by Laser or VISA and may look at you funny.
In the shop, your card is swiped and a receipt is printed. This receipt contains your new credit card number. It lasts for 2 months. You then receive the expiry date the the CVV2 code via email, SMS or by calling the help line, depending on the choice you made upon registering. I receive the expiry and CVV2 via email. So far there has never been a delay in the email being sent.
Once you’ve made your purchase online, you can use the same details again to purchase elsewhere as long as there is the correct amount remaining on the card. You can log in to see a history of transactions on the 3V website by entering the credit card number and the CVV2 code.
If you buy further 3V vouchers in the future you can transfer remaining amounts from older vouchers on to the new voucher, though it costs €2.50. This was very convenient recently when I needed just a couple of extra euro, my father was able to transfer money from one of his previous 3V vouchers, saving me a trip to the shop to top up either by a small amount or top up with a larger amount that would be left over.
3V is accepted by Paypal, which is extremely handy. I have used it several times to purchase items through paypal or to test purcahsing systems on our customers websites. Whether for personal or business use, I would recommend the 3V card to anyone that purchases online. Its safe, convenient and will keep you from spending too much, a great alternative if your existing credit card is costing you.
You can register for a 3V card for free on their website https://www.3v.ie/
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