System for packaging, processing, activating, and deactivating multiple individual transaction cards as a singular unit

1. A method for the secure processing of transaction cards at a point of sale comprising:

providing a plurality of transaction cards, each with a unique account identifier, assembled into a package, wherein each unique account identifier is associated to a unique account;

providing the package with at least three distinct identifiers;

assigning a unique package identifier to the package;

assigning a vendor product identification code identifier to the package;

assigning a combination identifier to the package, wherein the combination identifier comprises both the vendor product identification code identifier and the unique package identifier;

associating the unique identifier of the package with the unique account identifiers of the individual transaction cards assembled in the package;

compiling a database of associated unique package identifiers and unique account identifiers;

utilizing a transaction card processing system to effectuate the secure processing of transaction cards; wherein the transaction card processing system comprises a point of sale component and multicard transaction computer component;

utilizing a secure connection between the components of the transaction card processing system;

accessing the database upon receipt of a request to activate or deactivate the package, wherein the request may comprise either a one-step or a two-step sequence;

processing the information contained in the database upon receipt of a request to activate or deactivate the package;

initiating an activation or deactivation protocol for the individual transaction cards contained in the package, wherein the activation or deactivation protocol comprises conveying a request for transaction card activation or deactivation to the individual transaction card issuer's authorization system to effectuate activation or deactivation of the individual transaction cards;

receiving activation or deactivation of the individual transaction cards from the individual transaction card issuer's authorization system;

generating and maintaining a transaction log of activities involving the multicard transaction computer performed;

generating and maintaining an error log of activities involving the multicard transaction computer unsuccessfully completed;

wherein the transaction log and error log are generated and maintained by the multicard transaction computer; and

communicating the activation or deactivation of the individual transaction cards to the point of sale.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the unique package identifier is encoded in a magnetic strip, a bar code, a series of numerals, a series of letters, a series of symbols, or combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the unique account identifiers of the individual transaction cards are manually associated with the unique package identifier.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the unique account identifiers of the individual transaction cards are automatically associated with the unique package identifier.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the unique account identifiers of the individual transaction cards are associated with the unique package identifier mechanically, electronically, or by a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction log memorializes actions concerning the activation or deactivation of transaction cards.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises transaction cards issued by a singular card issuer.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises transaction cards issued by a plurality of card issuers.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises transaction cards issued by affiliated issuers.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises transaction cards issued by non-affiliated issuers.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises an identifier that is interpretable by a point of sale component.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the error log is complied memorializing the unsuccessful activation or deactivation of transaction cards and reasons therefor.

13. A secure transaction card processing system comprising:

a plurality of transaction cards, wherein each individual transaction card comprises a unique account identifier and wherein each unique account identifier is associated to a unique account;

a package for securing the transaction cards comprising at least three distinct identifiers, wherein the at least three distinct identifiers comprise a unique package identifier, a vendor product identification code identifier, and a combination of the vendor product identification code identifier and the unique package identifier;

a point of sale component configured to interpret the package identifier;

a secure connection for transaction card processing system communications;

a point of sale component configured to request activation or deactivation of the package identifier, wherein the request may comprise either a one-step or a two-step sequence;

a point of sale component configured to process the unique package identifier and a corresponding activation or deactivation request at the point of sale; whereby the point of sale processor communicates an activation or deactivation request for the package identifier to a multicard transaction computer;

a database comprising data associated with the individual transaction cards' unique account identifiers correlated to unique package identifiers;

the multicard transaction computer configured: (1) to process individual transaction cards' unique account identifiers; as well as, (2) the information contained in the database, wherein the information contained in the database comprises data associated with the individual transaction cards' unique account identifiers and wherein the data associated with the individual transaction cards' unique account identifiers is correlated to unique package identifiers; whereby the multicard transaction computer communicates with individual transaction card issuers' authorization systems to effectuate activation or deactivation of the individual transaction cards by the individual transaction card issuers' authorization systems and to communicate the individual cards' activations or deactivations to the point of sale; and

the multicard transaction computer further configured to generate and maintain: (i) a transaction log of activity involving the multicard transaction computer comprising information concerning the activations and deactivations of individual transaction cards and (ii) an error log comprising unsuccessful activations and deactivations of individual transaction cards.

14. The transaction card processing system of claim 13 , wherein package's unique identifier is a bar code, magnetic strip, series of numerals, series of letters, series of symbols, or a combination thereof.

15. The transaction card processing system of claim 13 , wherein the multicard transaction computer comprises at least one processing unit.

16. The transaction card processing system of claim 13 , wherein the multicard transaction computer comprises a plurality of processing units.