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Re: Landslide



>Internet customers were required to provide a credit card number as well as
a charge authorization in order to gain access,
>
>Am I reading this correctly?


I think "charge authorization" pretty much does it.

No, the authorization is different from the charge. You give them the number and it goes to an authorization company that checks to see that it's a legitimate card and that the expiration date and number and billing address all check out. When the authorization comes back, then the charge is finalized, or left for finalization later, or whatever.


For example you have to give a credit card number sometimes to reserve a room or a rental car, but you don't necessarily have to pay with that card when the time comes to pay. You can pay in cash if you want to; they just want to see the authorization come back to know you are acting in good faith, your card is legit and you've got the credit to pay. Presumably if you left without paying or damage their property or whatever, they would then be able to charge your card for the balance.