Indian telecoms firm Reliance Communications has partnered with HDFC Bank to launch a novel 'virtual' credit card in which the customer handset and telephone number act as the Reliance mPay credit card and card number.
The PIN-protected virtual card will be available to Reliance Mobile users who are using HDFC Bank credit cards. The user can use their Reliance mPay credit card with HDFC Bank at any merchants that accept payment via Reliance mPay. The Bank will authenticate all the information with RCom, which will be used to initiate and authorise all the payments using the customer's mobile handset.
Available initially as a means to pay for Reliance services, the telecoms firm says it will be extended to allow the customer to book movie tickets, travel tickets, merchant payments at shops and restaurants, and for shopping on the Internet,.
Rahul Bhagat, Country Head - retail liabilities, marketing & direct banking channels, HDFC Bank comments: "An HDFC Bank customer can now shop using his Reliance Mobile and make payment without disclosing details of his credit card."