Since 2014, through EcoCash Debit card, if you’re on EcoCash you can buy stuff online from a range of sites that include Amazon.com (America’s biggest online shop), AliExpress (cheap gadgets from China), Alibaba (cheap bulk buying from China), iTunes (apps, movies, songs), Facebook (for advertising), Google (storage on Drive, Adwords for advertising), online software services like Sage One accounting and a host of other services too many to mention here. You can even pay with it on sites that request PayPal payments.
The payment is deducted from the EcoCash wallet balance.
To start paying online, all you need to do is simply get a VCN, which just means a Virtual Card Number. There’s a common misconception that getting a VCN is a complex process. It is not, and below we list the simple steps that anyone with EcoCash can do at anytime, either via USSD or using the EcoCash App available here for Android and/or iOS.
To buy get a VCN from your mobile phone, do the following:
i. Dial *151# and enter EcoCash PIN
ii. Select Wallet Services
iii. Select EcoCash Debit Card
iv. Select EcoCash MasterCard Virtual
v. Request VCN
vi. Enter nickname for card (any nick name)
vii. Enter 1 and submit your request
viii. You will receive an SMS with the virtual card number, card expiry date and the CVV2 number.
Ecocash VCN online payments
If you use the app (which you should if you have a smartphone):
i. Log on to the mobile app
ii. Select card services
iii. Select MasterCard Virtual
iv. Enter a 4 letter nickname of your choice
v. Enter your PIN and submit
vi. You will receive an SMS with the virtual card number, card expiry date and the CVV2 number.
Once you have those 3 things (VCN, Expiry Date and CVV2) you’re all set to make payments.
Whenever requested to make a payment on a site just input the VCN where the site requests for a credit card number, input the Expiry Date where it requests for one, Your Name and address as registered with Econet, and the CVV2 where it requests for a CVV number.
Submit the payment and you’re done! Should you face any problems, just call Econet on 114.
TechZim