Considering that the number of online scammers has grown immensely in the last few years, anonymity has become a critical factor when it comes to online payments these days. Numerous software products allow users to make sales or purchases without a digital trail, and we will focus on them in this review.
You will get basic information about popular payment methods, learn their positive aspects, and understand their most vital features when choosing an online payment service.
Google Pay
Google Pay is an automatic payment system that allows owners of Android smartphones and other gadgets using this OS to shop wirelessly and perform fast transactions. This service is the Google Wallet system’s heir that Google company began using back in 2018.
The application provides all users with the following options:
- you can send secure payments to your friends or split some group spendings with them;
- you can track your recent transactions on the home screen and quickly shop from the companies you like the most;
- you can pay for your purchases without having to manage your cards manually.
When it comes to anonymous payment methods, Google Pay is surely one of the most functional. In addition to the options mentioned above, it allows users to control their finances efficiently and earn reasonable cashback rewards. Although the service was launched relatively recently (in 2018), it already covers more than 40 countries and supports the most universally popular payment systems.
Prepaid Debit Cards
Many web users consider this option to be one of the best anonymous payment methods due to its simplicity and ubiquity. A prepaid card provides you with a certain amount of money, and all you have to do is to register it on a specialized site.
These cards will allow you to carry out anonymous transactions without any difficulties. But at the same time, reusable cards may require your sensitive personal information for the activation; therefore, you will not be able to make the desired payment anonymously with them.
Interac e-Transfer
This service is the preferred payment option for hundreds of thousands of Canadian users. It covers over 250 financial institutions and allows its clients to send and receive money transfers via email and mobile messages.
Since Interac e-Transfer requires you to use a relevant email address or phone number only, this payment service will not allow you to achieve complete anonymity when performing financial transactions. But at the same time, you do not have to reveal your more detailed personal information to make payments through it. Therefore, you will still get a certain level of anonymity if you choose this payment solution for your online purchases.
In most cases, users prefer to use Interac to:
- split and send their rent payments;
- send or receive payments for certain household services;
- collect payments for various group events.
Paysafecard
This service will allow you to track retailer offers and buy so-called Paysafecard vouchers. Since these vouchers can have various money limits, they are quite flexible anonymous payment methods. You will just need to use unique 16-digit codes to activate any payment, so your personal data will remain safe.
If you want to pay for some massive purchase using Paysafecard, the service also has this option. It will allow you to make combined payments that link up to 10 confirmation codes.
Paysafecard positions itself as one of the world’s most sought-after prepaid payment options. Its vouchers are available in over 40 countries and support numerous web transactions, including streaming platforms, online gaming, gambling sites and other services.
Cash App
It is a mobile app for anonymous payments that reaches over 7 million users. It will allow you not only to make anonymous transactions with a $250 daily limit but also to use Bitcoins.
You will be able to transfer money and request it from other users relying on the so-called “cashtag” usernames. The application will ask you to enter the phone number or email of the other party to complete the transaction, and both parties will have to confirm the deal.
If the mentioned limit is too low for you, Cash App clearly loses some points to other anonymous payment methods. But at the same time, its simple interface and several useful features will allow you to protect your web payments at least partially.
PayPal
Although the PayPal company has already let its customers down when it comes to managing their data, this service remains one of the most common payment methods. The catch is that PayPal will not let you make transactions without your payment card information or bank details. It means that you will need to provide your name and email to complete any payment.
Basically, the method described above is semi-anonymous, and you will need to perform several additional steps to achieve complete anonymity. If you use some unnecessary email and replenish your PayPal account through any virtual card, your recipient will not be able to get your actual identification data.
Apple Pay Cash
Anyone who prefers to use Apple devices can utilize the Apple Pay Cash system’s features. This service was launched in 2017, and its central purpose is to make money transactions between users as easy as possible. Whether you spend money or request it from another person, Apple Pay Cash relies on iMessage messages to perform financial transactions.
Since the service is tied to the Apple Pay system, you can use it in more than 66 countries. And yet, bear in mind that its anonymity level is unlikely to delight you as you will always have to use your real email to which you linked your Apple device.
Cryptocurrencies
The cryptocurrency industry is growing at a breakneck pace, so digital currencies are a fairly reasonable anonymous payment method. If you can find a trustworthy platform and buy some coins there without registering, you will be able to make web transactions while maintaining your anonymity.
Also, it is worth noting that not all exchange sites allow users to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies without a personal account. And although crypto platforms may ask you for some personal information, this will be enough to harm the anonymity of your transactions.
Third-Party Private Payment Services
Millions of web users have realized what are anonymous payment methods and how handy they can be in recent years. This understanding led to the fact that numerous payment services began to offer people private payments that do not need typical personal data.
In most cases, these services are completely secure, but it does not mean you need to trust every product by default. Once you have found a suitable platform, conduct small research before interacting with it. A few minutes of net-surfing can save you a substantial sum of money in the long run.
Venmo
This service is designed to perform money transfers on portable devices. It is a PayPal company’s subsidiary that targets US residents. The app began processing transactions in 2009, focusing primarily on various group expenses like dinner or movie tickets.
Essentially, Venmo is an e-wallet that adds a social dimension to money management. You can even share information about your transactions with your loved ones if you wish. Besides, it is worth noting that the app does not allow you to spend more than $5000 per week. Therefore, it may disappoint users who are used to making large transactions regularly.
Disposable (Virtual / Masked) Credit Cards
This anonymous payment method allows you to mask your credit card details when you buy something. Basically, you create unique disposable data that hides the real card’s information throughout your transactions.
Virtual card numbers can provide you with a fairly high level of security. You can choose any expiration date for such a temporary number and manage it with ease. For example, if it seems to you that some scammers are trying to benefit from your virtual data, you can block this masking card at any time.
Cash Payments
Of course, this list of the best anonymous payment methods would not be complete without cash. Even though cash payments require some interaction with couriers or money transfers companies, this option is time-approved.
Since the human factor is an integral part of cash payments, there is some chance that your chosen service will mishandle your transaction. But even so, you get an excellent way to pay for something without a significant digital trace.
Prepaid Gift Cards
This is another proven way to hide your online payments and give you absolute anonymity. Such prepaid cards do not contain any of your personal information and are a fairly common payment option in the United States and Canada. Besides that, they offer users instant transactions regardless of the preferred amount of money.
It is also worth noting that gift cards are a universal payment method suitable for both online and offline transactions.
What Services May Require Anonymous Payment?
- Free media. If you want to buy some kind of press that is banned at the state level, your anonymity plays a vital role in your security and reputation.
- VPN services. When you pay for your VPN service, this transaction appears on your bank account and may indicate suspicious behaviour on your part. With this in mind, numerous VPN solutions offer their subscribers cryptocurrency payment options that leave no digital trail.
- Porn. Financial organizations should not be aware of your intimate preferences for obvious reasons. This is why the anonymous payment methods mentioned above are a perfect way to pay for premium accounts on platforms with adult content.
Read more: Best Gambling Payment Providers