Report: Facebook Testing 'Pay Later' Option For Credits Purchases

Facebook has reportedly introduced a "Pay Later" option allowing users to spend Credits, its universal virtual currency system for social games and apps, that they don't have and pay for them later. When users who have never purchased Credits try to buy virtual goods in a Facebook game, the social network presents a pop-up asking them if they want to pay later and receive a bill for the game. The site then sends an email receipt and shows a negative Credits balance on their Games dashboard. Those players will also see links to "Repay" the balance in the email, Games dashboard, and pop-ups that appear if they try to buy more virtual goods. Users can continue to purchase on credit even if they already have a negative balance. It's unclear if there's a limit or repercussions for neglecting payments. Users wishing to satisfy their debts can only do so with either a credit card or a PayPal account. Facebook is currently not offering options for paying off balances with advertising offers, gift cards, or mobile payments, as it does for players who choose to pay for Credits immediately. Inside Facebook, which obtained information about the new feature from an industry source, speculates, "The option may be designed to get users to comfortable with buying virtual goods and get them to put their credit card or PayPal details on file with Facebook for quick purchasing in the future."