NYC Vendors Selling Adult Site Access to Kids

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A New York Daily News investigation has found that newsstands and corner grocery stores have been selling prepaid Internet porn cards to minors.

The PPP cards, as they are commonly called, are available in increments of $5 to $50 and work much like prepaid long-distance phone cards. Each card contains a user number that buyers can use to anonymously log onto adult websites.

The Daily News enlisted the services of two teenage boys to visit six vendors and attempt to purchase the cards, which are clearly printed with an 18-and-over warning.

Tom Segell, 16, the son of a Daily News editor, and his friend Graham Golden, 15, succeeded in buying the cards from three of the vendors, the Daily News reported.

“You’re minors, right?” asked one shopkeeper when the teens asked for a card granting them 14 days of access to an adults-only site. Even after the boys confirmed that they were, in fact, underage, the clerk took their $10 and handed over the card.

Another shopkeeper initially refused to sell the duo a card, but after some cajoling from the teens, he arranged for another customer to buy the card for them.

At one newsstand, the pair actually used their age to play on the clerk’s sympathies. “Come on, we’re 16-year-old boys!” they told him. The ploy worked — they walked away with a $20 card good for a month of hardcore porn.

PPP cards were intended to address common concerns of visitors to adult websites by eliminating the need to enter a credit card number to gain access. Because the cards are purchased with cash and the card number is the only identification a user needs, the cards reduce the risk of identity theft and help users avoid uncomfortable questions from spouses regarding credit card charges.

Entrepreneur Greg Moss owns the exclusive U.S. rights to distribute the cards, which are issued by a Canadian company.

Moss said he was surprised when the Daily News told him of their findings, but pointed out that his company requires vendors to sign a contract stating that they will not sell the cards to minors.

“If we find someone is selling to [kids under] 18, we will immediately pull the cards,” Moss said. “We’re going to take all precautions.”

Moss plans a full-scale roll out of the cards over the next few months, expanding into New Jersey, Miami and Atlanta.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Only Tax Deductions Joins Pineapple Support as Sponsor

Adult industry accounting firm Only Tax Deductions has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Adult Empire Launches 'Conversations' Podcast Series

Adult Empire has launched a new official podcast series hosted by Nicole Chappelle and Charlie.

Sex Work CEO Launches 'Teams Plan' for AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Teams Plan for its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

Show More