Comment by cobbzilla

While it may technically be fraud, the registration information for non-reloadable cards is only a name and address, which is not verified. If the processor uses an AVS check (in the US, this is usually just the ZIP code), then whatever you enter must match what you registered with, but that could be... whatever.

When one considers how fat the deck is stacked against individual consumers in today's market, I would be inclined to tolerate some Thoreau-style civil disobedience on this. The desire for privacy -- to effectively "use cash" at "cashless" establishments -- may require the need to engage in this activity.

The other question would be, who is being damaged by this fraud? Presumably the seller of the card (and banks/processors in between), who would like to link all your card purchases to some master profile. Well, I wouldn't begrudge anyone with disobedience on that one too. They're still collecting fees on every purchase.