Amazon PayPhrase Nixes Credit Card Entry Ritual

Amazon knows you hate fishing a credit card out of your wallet when it’s time to pay for online goods, so it’s offering a solution in PayPhrase. The payment method replaces the whole card number-expiration date-security code ritual with two simple things to enter: A phrase, consisting of at least two words each with four letters or more, and a four-digit PIN. You can set them up on Amazon’s Web site, then use them at Amazon and several partner Web sites, including Jockey, DKNY and Buy.com. You can also set spending limits on some PayPhrases if you’re entrusting them to your kids or a shopaholic spouse. The service is currently limited to U.S. customers.

I was curious about what sort of security measures Amazon is putting in place for what seems like an easily guessable system. So I set up an account (not the one you see above, hackers!) and was happy to see that, after intentionally entering the wrong pin number a few times, Amazon demanded one of those anti-robot checks, where you have to decipher an abstract-looking combination of letters and numbers to enter your PIN again. Of course, it’s a moot point in most cases as anything purchased would be shipped to you, and this system seems pretty convenient. [via Amazon]