a method of acquiring goods and services using a pre - paid credit card , issued by either merchants in any network of merchants or service providers , a bank card network or a financial institution , credit card companies and a system for settling a used amount with the pre - paid credit card . a method of banks and financial institutions offering for sale at retail locations , pre - paid credit cards in any amounts the banks and financial institutions deem fit and make available for sale to the public . the pre - paid credit card does not access cash using the atm .