Coinstar has announced that it is testing issuing Starbucks Cards from its coin counting machines without paying a coin-counting fee.

According to Coinstar research, the average individual has an estimated $99 in change collected in jars, cups, piggy banks and/or collecting dust under rugs, cushions and furniture. That same individual adds an additional $5.50 in change to a "container" each week. By transferring your coins into a Starbucks Card, you can treat yourself or someone you know to a delicious Starbucks experience.

The New York Times reports that the Bush administration has completed one of the biggest changes in the history of the food stamp program, replacing paper coupons with electronic benefits and debit cards.

Consumers Union and many other consumer organizations have asked the Federal Reserve Board in a letter to take steps to clarify that payroll card users are entitled to the same kinds of protections that consumers have with bank debit cards under the federal Electronic Funds Transfer Act, including liability limits and error resolution rights.   » Continue Reading

Kathy Chu reports on the Dow Jones Newswire about the increased interest in credit cards that pay rewards on gasoline purchases as fuel prices have continued to climb.   » Continue Reading

SunTrust has announced the Skylight Debit Card Account that it claims offers distinct advantages over other stored value payroll card programs.   » Continue Reading

The Anti-Phishing Working Group has released its latest summary of monthly trends (PDF) indicating a significant slowdown during May in the growth rate of attacks.

PayPal has announced the availability of a new PayPal Web Services software development kit (SDK) for Microsoft platforms.   » Continue Reading

Dawn Chmielewski reports in the San Jose Mercury News on Mperia, an online music portal for independent musicians where payments are handled by micropayments provider BitPass.