Giving out your number has taken on a whole new meaning in the dating world. Direct carrier biller mopay announced the launch of new payment service tailored for online matchmaking sites that lets users of online dating services pay for those services using their mobile numbers. The services are then billed directly to the user's mobile phone bill.

Mopay's launched the new service at iDate 2012 in Miami, Fla., the annual conference for cyber matchmakers. The company said it is already working with several international dating sites to implement the service.

"The online dating industry is a fast-paced, thriving and competitive market filled with young, mobile-savvy consumers," said Kolja Reiss, managing director of mopay. "At mopay, we see a real opportunity to help online dating services realize their full potential by including an alternative payments strategy."

Reiss said consumers of online dating services don't want the hassles and risks association with using credit cards.

"By selecting mopay as a payment option, online daters can focus on finding the perfect date – not their credit card," Reiss said.

The solution is similar to other direct carrier billing services used for gaming and social media. Consumers simply enter their mobile numbers at the checkout screen and confirm the purchase with a text message. The subscription is then added to their monthly phone bill. It handles both single and recurring charges up to $50.

For dating sites, the new payment option provides increased traffic and conversion, mopay said. Not only do visitors convert to members at a faster rate, but direct carrier billing also appeals to the unbanked market, opening up a new market. Additionally, since an actual phone is required to complete the transaction, direct carrier billing provides a higher level of security. That means dating sites have less likelihood for fraud with the payment method, the company said.

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