That is a really good idea - I had the same issue with a wireless provider I signed up for (Deep Blue Wireless, if anyone has ever used them) previously.
Regardless, I think it is a pretty shady business practice to obfuscate the process of removing charges which were signed up for. It can be done really well - Netflix has made it really easy, and because of it I am willing to go back and forth as a subscriber. At this point I will never sign up again for a LinkedIn business account.
Any recommendations on 'disposable' credit cards?
Citibank provides a web service that dynamically generates a credit card number linked to your account, which is only valid for a month. This service comes free with their credit cards AFAIK.
Re:LinkedIn is Evil
by kingnothing on Wednesday June 18, 2008 @07:16AM
(#220671)
Bank of America offers this as well. They give you the option of specifying a one time limit, monthly limit, and expiration dates for the number.
Citicard has a virtual credit card number which we can use for a certain period of time. Never used the virtual number myself though.
Re:LinkedIn is Evil
by technoguyrob on Tuesday June 17, 2008 @10:30PM
(#220442)
I like the "Paypal plugin". You can generate both temporary long-term and temporary one-time use cards. Very handy, and you have the extra protection of having it linked to your Paypal account, so if you choose to limit your Paypal balance to $100 you don't have to pull any tricks like you would with a bank account.
Re:LinkedIn is Evil
by whalesalad on Wednesday June 18, 2008 @02:09AM
(#220565)
Paypal does this very easily online.
One thing I suggest for any sites like this is to get one of those "disposable" credit card numbers with a configurable time/balance limit. Login to your online card balance viewer portal and there is usually an option for this. Eliminates a lot of "please please cancel my account" debates...