Econet has just announced that they will be increasing their Virtual Card Number validity period to 28 days from 14 days. Ecocash allows you to generate a MasterCard number and security code that you can enter when you want to make payments. Unlike traditional numbers that you read off physical debit cards such as the ones issued by FBC, these numbers are only valid for a short period of time.

This serves two purposes. First it allows Ecocash to make money as they charge you every time you generate a VCN and secondly they provide a layer of security. Even if your card number falls in the wrong hands, the people with the card have a limited period to do damage with it. However, there is a major drawback, most online stores don’t process cards that are near their expiry dates.

Dear Customer, the VCN expiry period on Ecocash has been increased from 14 days to 28 days. Generate a VCN and pay for your DStv, Netflix and other online payments
The SMS from Econet

By the way Netflix is also now charging VAT if you are Zimbabweans

Netflix is now charging VAT if you are paying for a Zimbabwean account. This means you will have to pay more than people in other countries. This is all part of the government’s tax strategy. Personally, I would avoid having a Zimbabwean account altogether. Netflix has a limited selection of movies and shows for us so we are paying more per each item of content compared to other countries and the new tax just makes it worse.