Comment Discover disposable numbers aren't great. (Score 3) 126
As others have pointed out, Discover currently offers disposable numbers. Although I applaud their efforts, their current offering leaves much to be desired.
To use it, you have to download a Windows app (NOT a browser plugin) called Deskshop. This program activates itself automatically when I boot up and puts an orange dot on my taskbar. It has a setting to disable automatic startup but it doesn't work. Everyone once in a while, ZoneAlarm will catch it trying to access the internet secretly. I'm sure it is spyware and was trying to upload my browsing/shopping/etc. habits. I would prefer not to use this app but rather just go to Discover's web page to get a disposable number. But I can't do that.
The number is the usual 16 digits and the first 4 digits are the same as for regular Discover numbers. Apparently merchants are not able to tell whether it is a disposable number or not. When I request a number (via Deskshop), I specify whether it is recurring or one-time. As the names indicate, one-time numbers can be used for one charge only, while recurring numbers can be used again and again (for example, to pay a monthly subscription). I can cancel the recurring number but I have to call Discover customer service. I wish I could use their web page instead. I also wish I could specify a maximum dollar amount for each number I generate. But I can't do that either.
As for Amazon one-click, I don't see why a recurring number would not work, but I haven't tried it.
To use it, you have to download a Windows app (NOT a browser plugin) called Deskshop. This program activates itself automatically when I boot up and puts an orange dot on my taskbar. It has a setting to disable automatic startup but it doesn't work. Everyone once in a while, ZoneAlarm will catch it trying to access the internet secretly. I'm sure it is spyware and was trying to upload my browsing/shopping/etc. habits. I would prefer not to use this app but rather just go to Discover's web page to get a disposable number. But I can't do that.
The number is the usual 16 digits and the first 4 digits are the same as for regular Discover numbers. Apparently merchants are not able to tell whether it is a disposable number or not. When I request a number (via Deskshop), I specify whether it is recurring or one-time. As the names indicate, one-time numbers can be used for one charge only, while recurring numbers can be used again and again (for example, to pay a monthly subscription). I can cancel the recurring number but I have to call Discover customer service. I wish I could use their web page instead. I also wish I could specify a maximum dollar amount for each number I generate. But I can't do that either.
As for Amazon one-click, I don't see why a recurring number would not work, but I haven't tried it.
