You either sign a contract and receive a monthly bill for your purchases, or pay as you go. Each card has its own Pin number hidden under a scratch-off panel. You use this to top up your online account. Online Splash accounts can be credited using the same swipe machines used to top up prepay mobile phones - up to a limit of 200. You can then buy online from the range of participating companies and the cost of purchases is deducted from your account.
Virtual cash can also come in the form of rewards or loyalty points.
For example, people with Beenz accounts earn Beenz currency when they buy from certain sites online and can then spend them at other participating sites. Paying with Wap You can spend or bank securely on the go using a Wap phone but you'll need a handset that supports WTLS encryption. Check with your mobile network that its Wap gateway supports encryption and ask what to look out for to be sure that you're on a secure Wap site. Our Verdict For many people, the temptation to buy or bank online is being held in check by fears over security. Fraud is now people's biggest concern about the internet, yet you are far more likely to have your credit card details stolen and misused in the real world than in the virtual one.