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Springbok Services Inc. is introducing a "virtual" prepaid card corporations can use as a reward or incentive when consumers complete Internet-based surveys, promotions or product trials. Companies also can use the virtual cards as incentives for employees to complete surveys for such services as health-and-wellness programs. EZSpend looks and works like a regular prepaid card except it only can be used for Internet or telephone purchases, says Mike Ross, senior vice president of product development at Springbok, a Denver-based prepaid card provider. In most cases, a survey participant receives an e-mail that includes a link to the virtual prepaid card after completing a survey, he says. The link takes the participant to a Web page displaying the front and back of the card. Companies can customize the cards to include the recipient's full name, corporate logo and corporate message, Ross says. The front of the card also features the network brand–either Visa or MasterCard–while the back of the card includes the card-validation code or card verification value control number. Companies can determine whether the card is single-value or reloadable. Storm Lake, Iowa-based MetaBank issues the cards, which carry no consumer fees. Springbok charges corporate clients fees to cover the cost of the program, Ross says. Buford, Ga.-based The Target Group, which provides companies with customized incentive programs and promotions, plans to offer the virtual card by the end of the year, according to a company statement.
