Prime Payment Card - How it works

Your Prime card is a prepaid MasterCard card. It can be used to pay for goods and services over the Internet, by phone and at the vast majority of the 24 million locations worldwide displaying the MasterCard acceptance mark. On purchase, your Prime card is loaded with up to £150 of value (£500 if purchased on www.idtprime.com) and expires when the balance is used up or when it reaches the expiry date on the card. The Prime card is not reloadable. Unlike a credit card, it is not designed to go into debt so you can only spend the balance on the card. Purchasing the Prime card is simple as no identification, form-filling or credit checks are necessary.

Is the Prime card a credit card? Can I go into debt?

No. The Prime card is not a credit card. With your Prime card, the money you load onto the card, when you purchase the card, is the total money available for you to spend. When using the card, the amount of each transaction, including any applicable fee, is deducted from the card balance. Credit cards differ as they offer an unsecured loan allowing the holder to go into debt.

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When does my Prime card expire?

Your Prime card expires on the expiry date printed on the front of the card under the wording 'valid thru' or when the balance is used up.

I thought all cards now had to be 'Chip and PIN'. Why is there no chip on my Prime card?

Not all cards need to have a chip. As this card is restricted to low values and has other security features, it does not warrant the extra protection offered by a chip. MasterCard do not require a chip to be on your Prime card. However, all non-chip cards, such as the Prime card, should be accepted in the same locations as chip cards. If the sales assistant queries your card, please inform him/her that this is not a 'Chip and PIN' card and ask to sign in the usual way.

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Can I reload my Prime card?

Your Prime card is not reloadable. When the value of your card is depleted, simply purchase another card. If you register your details with us, then you will be able to transfer any small residual balance left on the card onto a new activated card. There is a fee of £1 for making a transfer and the maximum transfer is £20.

Can I get my wages paid directly onto my Prime card?

This is not yet possible. However, we plan to launch a Prime Salary Card in the near future which will enable you to have your wages paid onto the card and will additionally offer ATM withdrawal facilities.

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Can I use my Prime card to withdraw cash or check my balance at an ATM machine?

The Prime card cannot be used at ATM machines to withdraw cash or check a balance.

Can I use my card for a cash-back transaction?

Cash-back transactions cannot be made with a Prime card.

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Buying Your Prime Card

Who should purchase a Prime card?

The Prime card is ideal for a wide range of people:

a) People who are uncomfortable sharing their personal details over the Internet when making purchases on websites that they suspect may be insecure or on members-only websites

b) People who do not wish to (or are ineligible to) open a bank account but wish to transact online or over the phone

c) People who wish to control their spending by limiting their spending to the value on the card

d) Friends and family who want to give the Prime card as a special gift

e) Parents who want to enable their children to download ringtones, music and make other purchases but do not wish to give their children their personal credit card details for use on the Internet

f) Travelers who want to take travel money abroad in a secure user friendly way

g) Companies wishing to reward or incentivise staff, agents, clients or customers.

How and where can I buy a Prime card?

From March 2007 the Prime card will be sold at many PayPoint convenience retailers and other outlets in London. Following this launch, the Prime card will be increasingly available across the UK at many locations. Simply enter a PayPoint convenience outlet and request a prime card stating the value you would like to load onto it. The value you load onto the card must be somewhere between £10 and £150 (to the nearest £5 or £10 for higher values). You will also need to pay a £3 load fee. In return for your payment, the retailer will hand you a pack (containing the card and terms and conditions) and a receipt. Always ask for and retain your receipt once the transaction has been completed.

Click here to find the nearest PayPoint shop

Additionally, you can purchase a Prime card online at www.idtprime.com. You can pay for your card online using most major credit cards and debit cards. For online purchases we will need your payment and contact details. The address you provide must match the billing address on your credit/debit card. There will be a fee of £3 per card and you can load up to £500 on a card and order up to £1000 of cards per month. Your card will be posted to this address and should arrive within 7 days.

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Where is my nearest PayPoint shop?

Use the Shop Locator to find the nearest PayPoint shop.

How much does the Prime card cost?

There is a purchase fee of £3 on top of the value loaded onto the card. Other card usage fees apply and these are clearly detailed in the Fee Summary section of your Prime card terms and conditions.

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Is there a minimum or maximum value which I can choose when purchasing a card?

When purchasing a Prime card in a shop, you can choose to load as little as £10 and as much as £150 onto the card. (Load amounts are in £5 increments up to £50 and £10 increments for higher values.)

When purchasing a Prime card on our website you can choose to load as little as £20 and as much as £500 onto the card. (Load amounts are specified on the website.)

Should I get a receipt when purchasing my Prime card?

Yes. Please keep your receipt. If you are purchasing a Prime card over the internet please print out and keep the receipt page.

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Do I need to register my details with you in order to purchase or use a Prime card?

No. Unlike many other credit, debit and payment cards, you do not need to provide any personal details in order to purchase or to use a Prime card. However, an option exists to register your details on our website or via Customer Services on 0870 144 0280. Registering your details achieves a number of benefits:

Firstly, it provides some protection in the event that your card is lost or stolen. In such a case, if you had previously registered, we can cancel your card and transfer your balance onto a new card for a fee.

Secondly, it enables many 'card-not-present' (CNP) transactions. CNP transactions include purchases over the Internet, the phone and mail order. Some CNP merchants require you to submit the card's registered name and address as a proof of ownership and check this against our database to validate the transaction. Our simple registration process will ask you to provide a username and address that you can then quote when making such a CNP purchase.

Our registration process does not require you to complete any complex forms or to present identification.

Is there a limit to the number of Prime cards that I can purchase?

Our control policies prohibit the sale of more than £300 of Prime cards to a customer per day at a retail outlet and more than £1000 of prime cards per month on our website. You can purchase up to 4 prime cards in one transaction on our website.

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Can I order a large quantity of Prime cards directly from IDT Finance?

If you wish to make a bulk purchase of Prime cards, please contact us on 0870 144 0280 and we will attempt to facilitate your order.

Do I need a bank account to get a Prime card?

No. You do not need to have (or to open) a bank account to get a Prime card.

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Can I get a Prime card if I have been made bankrupt or have any County Court Judgements?

Yes. There are no credit checks required for a Prime card.

Can I use my Prime card straight away?

Once you have signed the signature strip on the back of your card and called us to activate your card, you can use your Prime card in the vast majority of locations where MasterCard is accepted. If you want to make a purchase over the Internet, some websites require you to enter a name and address when making this purchase. In order for your Prime card to work on these websites, you will have to first register a username and address either on www.idtprime.com (at no charge) or through our Customer Services on 0870 144 0280 (for a fee of £1). This registration will not require you to complete any complex forms or to present any ID.

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Buying Your Prime Card Online

When I purchase a Prime card online, how long does it take to receive my card?

Your card will be posted to you and should arrive within 7 days. Should your card not arrive within 7 days, please contact us at [email protected].

Is there a limit on how many prime cards I can buy online?

In a single transaction on our website you can purchase up to a maximum of 4 prime cards. In a calendar month you can purchase prime cards on our website to a combined maximum value of £1000. The number of cards you can buy in a calendar month therefore depends on the value you place on each card.

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I purchased my card on your website but I don't have an Account Code to activate it?

We have sent your Account Code to the email address which you entered when purchasing the card. Your Account Code should have reached you a few days before receiving your card in the post. If you cannot locate it please email us at [email protected]

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Activation, Registering and Your Account

How do I activate my card?

If you purchased your Prime card in a retail outlet you or the person you have gifted it to should activate your card by calling the activation phone number 0800 458 7150 and, when prompted, entering your Prime card number and the Account Code found on the peel-off label on the card. The signature strip should be signed immediately by the user of the card.

If you purchased your prime card on our website you should activate your card by calling the activation phone number 0800 458 7150 and, when prompted, entering your Prime card number and the Account Code emailed to you, in most cases, within a day of your purchasing of the card. The signature strip should be signed as soon as the card has been activated.

How do I check my balance?

You can check your balance online at www.idtprime.com or call our automated interactive service on 0870 144 0280 - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No fee will be charged against your card for this service but calls will be charged at the national calling rate.

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How do I register my details?

You can register your details for free at www.idtprime.com. Alternatively you can call and register your details with one of our Customer Services representatives on 0870 144 0280 (for a fee of £1). We strongly encourage you to register for free on our website.

Why should I register my details?

Registering your details achieves a number of benefits:

Our registration process does not require you to complete any complex forms or to present identification.

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Do I need to register my details immediately?

No, once you have activated your Prime card you have the option to register whenever you like. Of course there are a number of advantages to registering such as enabling internet access and enhancing card security in the case of theft.

Once I have registered can I change my details?

Yes, you can change all your registered details except for your date of birth. To change your registered details for free you should go to 'My Account' on www.idtprime.com.

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What do I do with my Account Code?

Before you can use your card, you must use your Account Code to activate your card through our 'Interactive Voice Response' system on 0800 458 7150.

Your Account Code is also used to verify you as the authorised Cardholder when contacting us via Customer Services or when entering secure areas on our website. You will need to be verified as the authorised Cardholder if you want to register your details, view or hear your card balance and transaction details, transfer residual values to new cards for a fee, and report lost and stolen cards.

As your Account Code enables you to access your account it is therefore personal information and strictly confidential. For security purposes, you should keep your Account Code safe, and separate from your Card or any record of your Card number.

In some countries, for example in the USA, retail stores may ask you to enter a 4-digit PIN number to complete your purchase. In such a case, please inform the sales assistant that no PIN for purchase was issued with this UK prepaid MasterCard card and ask to sign in the usual way.

What happens if I lose/forget my Account Code?

We cannot provide you with a new Account Code to access your account services e.g. balance enquiry, registration and 'card to card' transfer. However, you will still be able to use the Prime card in the vast majority of the 24 million MasterCard retailers worldwide.

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Will I be sent a statement showing my transactions?

No. However, you can check your transaction history through accessing your account online at www.idtprime.com or alternatively you can hear your transaction history by phoning our automated interactive service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0870 144 0280 (calls will be charged at the national calling rate).

Can I transfer a balance from one Prime card to another?

Yes. If you have registered your details for the card, it is possible to transfer your residual value from this card to a new activated card. There is a fee of £1 for making a transfer and the maximum balance you can transfer is £20.

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Parents

Can I prevent my children using the Prime card at unsuitable retail outlets and websites?

Yes. When registering the card, make sure to enter your child's date of birth. If your child is under 18, then the ability to use the card on the vast majority of unsuitable websites will be blocked. Additionally, card use will be blocked at many unsuitable retail outlets.

Can a child buy a Prime card?

While a child can use a Prime card (as described above) we have instructed our retailers not to sell a Prime card to individuals under the age of 18.

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Purchasing With Your Prime Card

Where can I use my Prime card?

You can use your card at the vast majority of the 24 million retail locations worldwide displaying the MasterCard acceptance mark. Your Prime card cannot be used on the old style manual imprint machines.

Can I use my card for everyday purchases for example at the local supermarket?

Yes. You can use your Prime card at the vast majority of the 24 million MasterCard merchants globally to pay for a wide range of products and services, as long as you have a sufficient balance available to cover the purchase price and the transaction fee.

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Can I use my card abroad?

Yes. You can use your card at the vast majority of the 24 million locations worldwide displaying the MasterCard acceptance mark. Your Prime card cannot be used on the old style manual imprint machines. Please see terms and conditions regarding fees and rates for foreign currency transactions.

How do I make purchases in stores with my Prime card?

You can use your Prime card almost anywhere the MasterCard acceptance mark is displayed. However, your Prime card cannot be used on the old style manual imprint machines.

You will need to ensure that there are sufficient funds on your card to cover both the purchase price and the transaction fee. If there are insufficient funds on the card, then your transaction will be declined.

To pay, simply present your Prime card to the sales assistant at the time of payment and sign the receipt. Your signature will be verified with the signature on the back of the card.

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Do I not need a PIN to make purchases in stores?

As this card does not have a micro-chip on it (unlike chipped cards) no PIN is required in the UK to make purchases in stores or on the Internet. In some countries, for example the USA, you may be asked to enter a 4-digit PIN number to complete your purchase. In such cases, please inform the sales assistant that no PIN for purchase was issued with this UK prepaid MasterCard card and ask to sign in the usual way.

Can I use my card to purchase over the Internet?

Yes. However, some websites require you to enter a name and address. In order for your Prime card to work on these websites, you will have to register a username and address with us, either at www.idtprime.com (at no charge) or via our Customer Services on 0870 144 0280 (at a fee of £1). This registration will not require you to complete any complex forms or to present any ID.

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How do I buy over the Internet using my Prime card?

You can use your Prime card on any Internet website where the MasterCard acceptance mark is displayed (certain websites are restricted if the user is registered as being below the age of 18).

When completing your online transaction, select MasterCard as the payment option. You may be asked for the following items, some of which are found on your card:

a) Your name. Please enter the username you registered with us during the optional registration process

b) Your address. Please enter the user address you registered with us during the optional registration process

c) The card number (the 16 digit number on the front of the card)

d) The start/valid from date (first date on the front of the card under 'valid thru')

e) The end/expiry date (last date on the front of the card under 'valid thru')

f) The last 3 digits on the signature panel on the reverse of the card, either called CVV, CV2 or Security Code.

Do I need to enter an Issue number when completing an online payment form?

No. This card does not have or require an Issue number. Simply ignore this field.

Can I use my Prime card to transact over the phone?

Yes. If you want to make a purchase over the phone, the sales assistant will require you to provide a name and address. In order for your Prime card to work for such purchases, you will have to first register a username and address before the transaction either at www.idtprime.com (at no charge) or via our Customer Services on 0870 144 0280 (for a fee of £1). This registration process will not require you to complete any complex forms or to present any ID.

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I have a small amount of money left on my card. Can I spend it?

Many outlets do not accept card purchases for less than £10 or £5. However, there are some exceptions to this, in which case you will be able to spend the residual amount.

Furthermore, if you have registered your details for the card, it is possible to transfer your residual value from this card to a new activated card. There is a fee of £1 for making a transfer and the maximum transfer is £20.

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Fees

Is there a fee when I purchase a Prime card?

Yes, there is a £3 fee, on top of the value you are loading onto the card, when purchasing the Prime card.

Is there a monthly maintenance fee?

This product is designed to be fully used within 3 months of purchase. For this reason, there is no monthly maintenance fee for the first 3 months and we encourage you to spend the money on your card within 3 months. However, we will charge a monthly maintenance fee of £2 per month from the end of the first 3 months if any balance remains on the card. The card remains valid for use until the expiry date on the card or until the balance on the card is zero.

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Can I see a full list of all fees associated with the Prime Card?

You can see a full list of fees in the Terms and Conditions located www.idtprime.com. If you purchased your Prime card in a retail outlet a copy of the Terms and Conditions would have been enclosed in the Prime card package.

What are the transaction fees?

There is a transaction fee of 2% of the transaction value. The transaction fee will be capped at £1 in the case of high value purchases over £50. For transactions up to £25, a minimum transaction fee of 50p per transaction will apply i.e. the transaction fee will vary between 50p and £1 depending on the transaction value. Purchases made in foreign currencies will incur a foreign exchange fee of 3%.

Is there an additional fee for using a debit or credit card to purchase a Prime card online?

No, there is no additional fee.

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Prime Security

Is my money secure on the Prime card?

IDT Finance's systems are highly secure. However, you must treat your card and Account Code like you treat your cash. Therefore, do not share your 4-digit Account Code with anyone or write it down, and do not allow your Prime card to leave your possession.

It is possible to register your details with us using your Account Code and this will give you some protection should your card be lost or stolen. In such a case, if you have previously registered, we can cancel your card and transfer your balance (for a fee) onto a new activated card. If you have not registered your details before your card went missing, please call Customer Services on 0870 144 0280.

If you have bought your Prime card as a gift and wish to post it to the receiver never send the card and Account Code together and never send the card in the post once activated.

What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?

What should I do with my card when there is no balance remaining?

The Prime card is a non-reloadable card. When you have no balance remaining, please try to recycle your card at a suitable facility or dispose of it responsibly.

If I order my Prime card online and it is lost in the post, is my money secure?

Yes. If your card is lost or intercepted in the post, your money is secure as only the person who purchased the card and received the subsequent email containing the Account Code can activate it and no one can use the card until it is activated.

If I sent a prime card (complete pack) including Account Code to a friend as a gift and it was lost in the post, is the value secure?

No, this is similar to sending cash in the post and should not be done under any circumstances

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Is there an age restriction on using a Prime card?

There is no age restriction on using a Prime Card although parental guidance is advised. We have instructed our retailers not to sell a Prime card to individuals under the age of 18.

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Troubleshooting- Prime Issues

How do I return an unused card or reclaim an outstanding balance from my card?

If you bought your Prime card online or bought it in-store and can't get a refund as either you opened the tamper proof card package or the retailer is unable to refund you the value, you will need to follow the following steps:

1) Make sure that you have activated your card and registered your details.

2) Call our Customer Services on 0870 144 0280 informing them of your wish to reclaim funds. Customer Services will then suspend your card.

3) Write to us at Customer Services, IDT Financial Services Limited, PO Box 1374, Gibraltar confirming your request, quoting your Card number and enclosing a photocopy of your passport (on the picture page) and a copy of a recent (less than 3 months old) utility bill bearing your name and address, in each case certified as being a true copy of the original by a suitable professional (for example lawyer, accountant, teacher, doctor, police officer, post office official, chemist, local government officer) providing his own contact details.

Once we receive this information, any remaining funds in your account will be reimbursed to you. We reserve the right to contact you where appropriate, and to charge you for all transactions made with the card and applicable fees. A £5 balance reclaim fee will be applied. See terms and conditions for full details.

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What happens if a transaction that is not mine has been debited from my card?

If you believe that any of the transactions for which your card was used are unauthorised or a transaction has been incorrectly posted to your account, you may make a claim for a refund by phoning Customer Services on 0870 144 0280 or by writing to us within 14 days of the date of the transaction in question. It also helps if you can provide any related receipts or information available. We will review your case and if your claim is justified we will endeavour to credit the transaction amount back to your account within 30 days of receiving your claim, in accordance with MasterCard regulations. We reserve the right to investigate all requests for a refund, and we may charge an investigation fee. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for a summary of fees and charges.

What is a pre-authorisation?

A pre-authorisation is carried out when a merchant reserves funds on any card to ensure payment of services. Merchants that often do this include restaurants, hotels and car rental outlets. For example, a restaurant may pre-authorise a set amount when you open a tab at the bar. If your final bill is less than the pre-authorised amount, then it may take a few days for you to receive the balance as a refund onto your account.

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Why is my balance statement sometimes different from the money that should be available on the card?

Some merchants reserve a minimum amount to verify your card details or take some time to clear a transaction where the amount reserved turns out to be higher than your actual purchase. It might take a few days for the amount to be released back to your card. This amount taken corresponds to the difference between what you should have available and your account balance. A similar situation may occur at hotels and car rental outlets when your card details are taken.

Can a store refuse to accept my card for payment because it has no Chip or PIN?

No. It is against MasterCard rules in the UK for a retailer to refuse to accept your card for this reason. However, in some countries, for example the USA, you may be asked to enter a 4-digit PIN number to complete your purchase. In such cases, please inform the sales assistant that no PIN for purchase was issued with this UK prepaid MasterCard and ask to sign in the usual way.

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Why is my card not working at a petrol station?

Prime cards will not work at 'pay at pump' facilities. However, the Prime card should be accepted at the forecourt kiosk if it accepts MasterCard.

My Prime card is not being accepted at a number of retailers or websites. Why?

It may be one of several reasons:

1) Your Prime card must be activated before it can be used. If you have not activated the card please call 0800 458 7150 with your Prime card and Account Code ready.

2) Your Prime card can only be used at MasterCard merchants who can connect to MasterCard at the time of the transaction. For this reason your card cannot be used on old-style manual imprint machines.

3) While registering you may have unintentionally entered a date of birth that implies you are under 18. Your Prime card may therefore be restricted from websites and retailers deemed unsuitable for children.

4) You may be trying to complete a purchase on a website that requires you to enter a name and address. Such transactions will not be accepted by these websites if you have not first registered a username and address with us.

5) You may have insufficient funds on your card to cover the purchase price and transaction fee.

What happens if I purchase an item and need to return it?

If you need to return an item purchased with your Prime card, the merchant will handle the return in accordance with their normal refund policy. They may credit your card with the value of the returned item, issue a voucher or offer you replacement goods of a similar value.

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Prime Contact

I am experiencing technical difficulties with the website, what should I do?

Please send an email to [email protected] detailing the problems you are experiencing and your contact details.

Who do I contact if my personal details change?

To change registered personal details please visit www.idtprime.com or contact our Customer Services on 0870 144 0280.

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What are your Customer Services opening times?

Customer Services Hours

Call 0870 144 0280

Monday-Sunday: 9.00am to 9.00pm

The Lost and Stolen department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is the number for customer service?

Customer Service 0870 144 0280

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What is the number to activate my Prime card?

Activation 0800 458 7150

What is the website address?

www.idtprime.com

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What is your postal address?

Customer Services, IDT Financial Services Limited, PO Box 1374, Gibraltar

How do I make a complaint?

In the event that you are unhappy with any aspect of the Prime card product or service, please call Customer Services on 0870 144 0280. We will investigate your compliant as soon as possible.

You can also contact us by writing to Customer Services, IDT Financial Services Limited, PO Box 1374, Gibraltar. If we are unable to resolve any complaint through our internal complaints procedure, you may contact the Financial Services Commission in Gibraltar at P.O. Box 940, Suite 943, Europort, Gibraltar.

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	Prime Payment Card – For Everyone, Instantly ™. About IDT Financial Services \| Privacy Policy \| Terms & Conditions ©IDT Financial Services 2006

	The Prime Payment Card is issued by IDT Financial Services pursuant to license from MasterCard® International