Systems and methods for storing cardholder data and processing transactions are provided. Cardholder data is received at a server computer, the cardholder data including consumer credentials to be stored and at least one data item not to be stored. A unique consumer reference token is obtained and combined with the data item not to be stored and the combination encrypted to form an encrypted token. The encrypted token is transmitted to a third party for storage and is erased from the server computer. At the time of transaction, the encrypted token is received and decrypted to yield the data item not to be stored, so that a transaction can be initiated using stored consumer credentials and the data item not to be stored. The unique consumer reference token encrypted together with the data item enables the server computer to perform validation checks on the encrypted token.