It is just not possible to attempt to explain something in an understandable way and attempt to cover ever possible contingency. I use a bank card in France, not a credit card, and I really don't know anyone using a credit card here. The fact that someone's EU bank does indeed offer them a line of credit in conjunction with card usage basically changes nothing in my narrative on this subject.

<i> How does this prevent a thief from registering as a new client using their own cell phone number and then making false purchases with your credit card?</i>

Firstly, the bank, along with a lot of other personal information, already has your mobile phone number. As soon as you make an on line purchase, you receive a text with an authorization number. You enter this number with your other information to complete the on line purchase. To complete a fraudulent on line transaction, you would need both a credit card number, its expiration date, its 3 digit code found usually on the back, as well as the owner's mobile phone.

Secondly, are you suggesting that a thief would mingle his personal identification information (mobile phone number) when making a fraudulent on line transaction? That should lead directly to him and probably result in a very quick arrest.

Secondly,