Patent ID: 7328190

Claim:
A method of processing a stored-value card request, comprising: distributing a stored-value card to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having a pre-paid account with a specific provider other than the first merchant, the stored-value card having an associated identifier printed on the stored-value card and used to associate a stored value with the card, the-stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider, the pre-paid account having an associated account number, the stored-value card having an indication of the providers with which the stored value may be redeemed disposed visibly thereon; receiving at a central processor over a private network a first request to activate the card from a first merchant terminal, the first request resulting from a purchase of the card, wherein the central processor is in selective communication with the first merchant terminal, the customer, and the one or more providers; associating the stored value with the identifier; distributing the stored-value card to the customer; receiving at the central processor a redemption request from the customer to apply the stored value to the pre-paid account, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier: determining at the central processor the specific provider and the pre-paid account number based on the redemption request; receiving at the central processor a verification response from the customer that the correct specific provider and pre-paid account number has been determined; passing from the central processor to the specific provider a first request to apply the stored value to the pre-paid account with the specific provider, wherein the first request to apply the stored value comprises a request to add the stored value to the pre-paid customer account; and applying the stored value to the pre-paid customer account with the specific provider.