This is likely to be a 'prepaid' or 'preloaded' VISA card. This type of card is not available through UK banks, but are common in the US. They are particularly useful when travelling, because if stolen, they can only be used up to the amount loaded on them. They also allow people with poor credit histories to get a VISA card. But it is not a 'credit' card because you don't get any credit. Because the operating banks cannot make money out of charging interest on credit they levy a fee for the card, which you have been asked for, and then charge you every time you use the card for a purchase or to get cash at an ATM. The company you have seen is probably a 'reseller' for a card operator or an overseas bank. VISA don't give accreditation lightly, but if in doubt, contact them to check out the reseller. The AMEX Traveller card is similar, but you can't buy it from the UK. They tell me that it may come to the UK in the next few years. Conclusion: not likely to be a con if VISA brand is being used in promotion, but can be an expensive option. If you post this question again in a month or so I may well have published my research into prepaid cards.