A system, method, and computer program product for maintaining the
anonymity of a consumer in a transaction with a retailer. The consumer
provides payment method information and ship-to address information to a
trusted third party. The consumer purchases products from a retailer by
providing the trusted third party anonymous identifiers (e.g., nicknames,
unique codes, or one time use codes either supplied by the consumer or by
the trusted third party) corresponding to the selected payment methods
and ship-to addresses. The retailer requests payment approval from the
trusted third party. The trusted third party receives payment approval
from a payment partner using the payment method information determined
from the anonymous identifier received from the consumer. The trusted
third party provides payment approval to the retailer along a transaction
unique shipment identifier to place on the parcel. The trusted third
party sends the same transaction unique shipment identifier and the
actual shipping address determined from the anonymous identifier received
from the consumer to a shipping partner who re-labels the package and
delivers it to the consumer. The trusted third party acts as an e-mail
conduit for messages sent to member consumers.