cashU Now Accessible across 20 countries in Europe
cashU® - the largest Internet payment system in the Middle East and Africa has partnered with Ukash, Europe's leading cash-based online pre-payment company.
Ukash vouchers can now be used to top up cashU accounts, extending the accessibility of cashU in 20 countries across Europe.
In principle, both Ukash and cashU allow users to spend online, enabling consumers to effectively pre-pay for online purchases without credit cards.
In an unusual example of brand synergy, both Ukash and cashU chose to play to each other's strengths, based on a mutually exclusive user base. cashU's integration is the first step, Ukash will soon integrate cashU as an issuing method, taking advantage of cashU's reseller network which covers all the countries in the GCC, Levant, and North Africa - from Morocco to Iran.
In the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany & the Netherlands consumers can get Ukash vouchers from thousands of locations such as convenience stores, newsagents, post offices and petrol stations. Now cash consumers in a further 15 European countries can get Ukash by ordering online and paying by internet banking or at a bank. They then receive an email or SMS message with their unique and secure 19 digit Ukash voucher number. To spend Ukash the consumer simply enters their 19 digit code and value when asked for payment details during the check out process. The Ukash payment is authorised in real-time and if change is required a new Ukash 19 digit code is issued online to the customer.
Commenting on the new feature, Martin Waldenström, General Manager, cashU said, "I'm very excited about the new partnership between cashU and Ukash. With over 120,000 payment/purchase terminals, Ukash has a high density retail penetration in Europe, and is of great advantage to cashU account holders."
According to Mark Chirnside, CEO at Ukash, the partnership with cashU will enable previously excluded communities to benefit from ecommerce: "Both consumers using cashU and merchants signed up to accept cashU will benefit tremendously from reaching into sections of the community across Europe that have previously been unable to transact online, now that they can top up their cashU accounts with Ukash."
cashU addresses the need for an internet payment solution, in markets and demographics where credit cards are not very prevalent. cashU's prepaid card system enables minors to access and purchase online products and services anywhere on the Internet safely and without worries.
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About cashU
Incepted and launched by Maktoob in July of 2002, www.cashU.com is a prepaid Internet payment solution that can be used to purchase products and services anywhere on the Internet safely and anonymously.
cashU provides merchants with a solution where they can sell their goods and services on the Net, even products or services (such as SMS or ring tones) that require micro payments, with both consumers and merchants confident of not becoming victims of online fraud.
cashU is now available in 20 countries around the world. The cashU network connecting cashU cardholders, online and offline resellers as well as online businesses and merchants is growing, and will continue to develop and advance rapidly. Visit cashU at www.cashu.com.
About Ukash
Ukash is a globally-recognised e-commerce cash payment method to enable online purchases using cash, providing freedom from credit and debit card fraud, repudiations and charge-backs, and protecting personal identity.
Ukash is regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) and operates as one of only four Electronic Money Institutions, a status that allows a single maximum online cash payment transaction of up to EUR750.
Uniquely numbered Ukash vouchers are widely available through payment terminals in retail outlets and online.
Following the successful launch of Ukash in the UK, Spain, Germany & Ireland during 2006, Ukash is also now available in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden.
www.ukash.com
About Maktoob.com:
Maktoob.com was founded in the year 2000 as the world's first Arabic/English email service. In a few years, Maktoob has grown to become a full-service web portal, offering world-class communications and information tools that empower the Arab Internet user. More than just the best and most popular Arabic/English email service in the world, Maktoob.com offers everything from chat to discussion forums, from e-cards to mobile downloads, from news to the latest jokes and everything in between. Maktoob's main mission is to maintain and grow its position as the world's leading Arab Internet portal by constantly offering its users a unique experience and by providing them with new services and products that encourage open communications and community building.
© Press Release 2007
