Slitherine

I completed an online credit card purchase but had to enter a valid but bogus (area code + 555-1212; the phone number of "information") phone number. An hour later, Plimus sends me an email informing me that my purchase was rejected because they could not validate my phone number. I told them that I do not have a telephone (I use Skype for voice communications) and that I was not about to give-out my wife's telephone number for the purchase of a computer game; she is a non-gamer and would not understand. Also, the product I tried to purchase was a digital download -- even though I entered my correct mailing address -- but, apparently, this was not good enough for Plimus so they cancelled my order.

Oh, well, I guess my money will go to another, less deserving, company. Slitherine, please reconsider your relationship with Plimus.

I'm sorry you had problems but the phone number is just a standard part of any credit checks relating to cards. Verifying the details match is what the payment processors require Plimus to do. There may be some sites where you can buy without a phone number but in my recent purchases I had to enter a phone number in all that I can remember.

The phone number is only used to validate your card and if there is an issue with the order that requires support to contact you, which is extremely rare. It is not used for marketing or other purposes.