If you are looking for a simple way to pay for something anonymously, I recommend using a disposable credit card. In my experience, the Vanilla Visa credit card is currently the best option. There is no name or other identifying information associated with these cards, and they can be used almost anywhere.
Vanilla Visa Credit Card
You can find Vanilla Visa credit cards at many convenience stores (like CVS) — there’s a full list of retail locations here. There are no fees associated with card, beyond a $5 fee at the time of purchase. You can get cards that range from $25 to $500. If you buy a $500 card, you pay $505 at the store, so you are basically paying a 1% fee for your anonymous credit.
I recommend registering your card on the Vanilla Visa website. If you don’t register, the card won’t be accepted at many stores. The registration process simply involves entering a zipcode, and nothing else. Of course, if you wish to remain anonymous you can provide a fake zipcode. You should also obfuscate your IP address while activating the card (see my article How To Be Anonymous On The Internet for more information).
Simon American Express Gift Card
Another option is to purchase a Simon Gift Card. You can get these card at any mall listed on this page. Simon Gift Cards are not reloadable, but you can load them with $500 using cash. You are not required to give out any personal information to purchase the card. However, by using their website, you can link any name and address to the card, so you can use them with merchants that do AVS checks.
Disposable credit cards are also handy if you wish to purchase online from a company you don’t know or trust. Your card will not be linked to any bank account or line of credit.
I was looking to see if anyone else uses my acquisition service’s business model. As I didn’t see anyone else doing it their way, you might want to look at: https://www.enymity.com/ . I’ve made over 20 purchases through them as-to-date, and I’ve always been quite satisfied. The way they parcel out data at point-of-purchase has never left a complete record of what I’ve gotten or any of my personal info on anyone’s files, and someone would have to hack 4-5 different, secured systems before they could even start attempting to reverse-engineer any sort of profile. If you haven’t found a better way, you might enjoy the peace-of-mind their service affords. If you have found a better way, I’d love to hear about it.
Some people have been having problems using Vanilla Visa with Private Internet Access (our top recommended VPN provider). Hopefully the company will sort out this problem soon. There is a short-term solution:
You can create a Amazon account (using fake personal info) and link it to the Vanilla Visa. You can then pay for Private Internet Access through Amazon (they accept Amazon Payments).
Has the Vanilla Visa card issue been corrected yet at Private Internet Access ?
Any word on the Vanilla Card use on Private Internet Access. Is the problem fixed?
No, I don’t think you can use the Vanilla Card with Private Internet Access.
Law enforcement can track the card down. The companies that make these cards know which card numbers go to which stores. Then the police contact the stores and access the stores records. If you paid with a debt or credit card they will know who you are. Also, if you paid with cash they will use the stores video surveillance to see you. They can tell what time you purchased the card.
Find a store that doesn’t have a video camera or a store that doesn’t keep video records for very long.
Yes, you’re right. But this is a remote possibillity.
Question, has the Vanilla Visa card issue been worked out yet with Private Internet Access ?
Amything for Europe? Or to purchase with bitcoins online?