Secure Numbers are commonly used on scratch-cards . Each Secure number is unique and can be used only once to pay for a service - such as ringtones or graphics. They are called Secure Numbers because they contain check digits which make them very difficult to forge.

Even if a person buys 100 cards and looks at the numbers, they will be unable to deduce the algorithm used to generate the numbers.

Connection Software can provide sets of Secure Numbers - or you can upload your own. These can then be "enabled" in blocks as they are required. In the case of theft, blocks of numbers can be disabled.

Secure Numbers may distributed in many ways - for example they can be printed behind latex panels on scratch cards, printed on a till receipt in a Bank or super-market, or spoken via a Premium Rate Interactive Voice system.

Connection Software provides a management and validation service for Secure Number sets. Typically a person who has purchased a Secure Number sends an SMS text message with the number. The Secure Number is then checked for validity and to see if it has been used again. If it is genuine then the person will be informed that it has been accepted and the provider of the Secure Number will be informed that the number has been redeemed against a particular Mobile Phone number.

You can set up and manage your secure numbers yourself on this website. Before you start you will need

1. An account
2. Money in the account (or an approved Credit Limit)
3. Two-way service so that people can text their numbers in.

Once you have those set up you can manage your secure numbers here.

Scratch cards have a thin layer of latex printed on top of the Secure Number and this can be scratched away.

Printing Scratch Cards whilst maintaining the security of the numbers demands a high security environment and only a few suppliers are able to provide this.

See Scratch Card printers for more information.