The First Virtual (tm) Process

Here is how it works:

• First, you register a credit card with First Virtual (tm).
• They send you confirming Email and a buyer ID.
• For security, the First Virtual system does not send your credit card information through the Internet.
• We (the Merchant) do not see your credit card number at all. First Virtual handles the credit card transaction.

• When you "pay" us, we send Email to First Virtual (tm) with your buyer ID, our seller ID, a description of what you bought, and the amount to charge you.
• They Email you, asking for confirmation to charge that amount to your card.
• You reply "Yes" to their Email, and they charge your card.
• They send us Email letting us know that the process is complete.
• If we do not get a confirmation, your Subscription will remain disabled.

If you need to register with First Virtual (tm):

• Their on-line application is not too dificult. You enter the "ID" you want to use on their form.
• They send you confirming Email, with an account number and a slightly modified ID (they add some text to the beginning).
• You activate your account by calling their (800) number, keying in your account number and your credit card information.

• They charge your card a fee (currently $2.00) for registration.
• Hint: When your card expires, you must register the new card's number and expiration date, which might cost another registration fee. So, you might want to register a card which will be valid for a long time. But, $2.00 is not very much anyway!

If you are already signed up with First Virtual (tm):

• When you decide to pay us using First Virtual (tm), you simply enter your First Virtual buyer ID that you got when you registered with them.
• For security, the First Virtual system never sends your credit card information through the Internet.
• We (the Merchant) do not see your credit card number at all. First Virtual handles the credit card transaction.
• We just receive transaction confirmation (via Email from First Virtual). This can take minutes, hours, or days depending upon how fast you respond to First Virtual's Email, how fast their Email gets to us, and how fast it is processed at all stages.

Last revised 3 Sep 1996, © Copyright (C) VIPS, 1996. All rights reserved.