Stay Secure Online with Virtual Credit Card Numbers
Virtual credit cards are digital versions of real, physical credit cards.
You can use them instead of your actual card details when shopping online or by phone, to help prevent credit card fraud and identity theft.
What is a Virtual Credit Card?
A virtual card functions like a disposable representative of your real card. If something happens to a virtual card, you can just delete it and get a new one.
The two main purposes for using virtual account numbers (VANs) are security and convenience. Instead of providing merchants with your actual credit card details, you can just give the virtual card number.
Then, if there’s any security issue with the website or company, you can simply cancel that virtual card. You don’t need to worry about thievesre making all sorts of fraudulent transactions, because they would just have that one limited number. And you won’t need to report your card information as stolen and get a new card mailed.
Here’s a summary of just about everything you need to know about virtual credit cards:
- They help protect your card information: If a hacker steals your virtual credit card it won’t compromise your actual account, improving your overall card security.
- Only for online and phone purchases: Virtual credit cards can be used online or on the phone, but not for in-store purchases.
- The card details are different: Your virtual card will have a different account number, security code, and expiration date.
- The features vary: The features you get with virtual cards will depend on your card issuer.
- Some are one-use only: A virtual number may be limited to a single transaction.
- May be merchant-specific: A particular virtual number may be limited to transactions with a single merchant.
- Might have spending limits: You can often set individual spending limits for each virtual card you create.
- Purchases show up as normal: Any purchases or transactions you make will show up in your account as they normally would, although they may be tagged with the virtual number.
Virtual cards don’t come with any extra security measures compared to physical cards. They’re just an extra layer on top of the fraud protections you already have. The CARD Act limits your personal fraud liability to $50, and the major credit card issuers go even further by providing $0 liability policies.
A virtual card doesn’t give you anything more than that, but it does serve a bit like a first line of defense that you can easily replace. Thieves will get your disposable card details instead of your actual credit card details.
Using virtual card numbers could be a wise move if you’re making purchases from a website that you suspect is shady or unsecure.
Some credit card companies offer virtual credit cards, but not all. Keep reading to learn more and find out where you can get a virtual card number right now.
When to Use Virtual Credit Card Numbers
How secure do you feel when shopping online? Are you willing to give your real account details to any website you might make a purchase from?
Your answers probably depend on your temperament, and where you tend to shop. If you only make purchases from big, popular merchants, you can feel safe from scams but data breaches are still a threat. When it comes to smaller companies, which might have websites that seem cheap, shady, or scammy, it’s normal to feel more skeptical about the security of your private data.
Here are some situations in which you might want to protect yourself with a virtual credit card:
- Online shopping: You may want to use disposable credit cards for all your online purchases, just to be safe or for the convenience.
- Subscription services: Say you only want to subscribe to Netflix for six months. Pay with a virtual card that will expire by then, and Netflix won’t be able to charge you after that date.
- Potentially risky websites: It might be easiest to only use virtual cards for websites or companies that seem shady, or with new businesses.
- You’re worried about data breaches: Data breaches are all too common. But if hackers steal your virtual card number, you can just sigh in relief as you create a new one.
- You’ve been a victim of identity theft or credit card fraud: If you’ve already gone through the worry and hassle of identity theft or credit card fraud, you might want to take extra steps to help prevent it from ever happening again.
- Give your child a spending method: You can give your kids a virtual credit card with a spending limit, instead of handing over your actual card.
Virtual Card Number Pros and Cons
Should you be using virtual account numbers? There aren’t many serious downsides, except in some rare occasions.
Pros
- Added layer of security
- No need to get a new physical card if the data is stolen
- Convenient payment method
- Easy to create and manage multiple virtual numbers
- Some virtual account numbers can be used with some digital wallets
Cons
- Only work for online or phone transactions (known as card not present transactions)
- No extra fraud protections beyond the regular card features
- May have trouble with returns (although VAN providers say returns should work normally, as long as you follow store and card policies)
- Reservations made with credit cards, like hotels and car rentals, may require you to show the card when you arrive — impossible with virtual cards
Where Can I Get a Virtual Credit Card Number?
There are currently only three credit card issuers that provide virtual account numbers. We’ll summarize them here, and then go into more detail below.
There are also several digital wallet services that can perform a very similar function for online transactions (and in-store as well). You can learn more about them below.
| Virtual Account Provider | Details |
|---|---|
| Bank of America ShopSafe |
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| Capital One Eno |
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| Citi Virtual Card Accounts |
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Bank of America ShopSafe
| Setup |
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| Learn More | |
| Details |
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The ShopSafe feature will let you create virtual credit cards that you can use for card not present transactions, like online or phone purchases.
This service actually looks pretty cool when you use it. It shows a digital credit card, with random numbers being generated to fill in the details.
Generating a virtual credit card with Bank of America ShopSafe.
Bank of America Credit Cards
A few of our favorite Bank of America cards are the following.
Key Terms & Features
- 3% cash back at gas stations, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- 12-month 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
Read more in our Review of the Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit Card
Write a ReviewKey Terms & Features
- 3X points per dollar at the Bank of America Travel Center, 1.5X points for every other purchase
- 12-month 0% intro APR for purchases
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Read more in our Review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
Key Terms & Features
- 3X miles per dollar at Alaska Airlines
- Signup offer of 30,000 bonus miles and a companion fare for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Annual companion fare
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Capital One Eno
| Setup | |
| Learn More | |
| Details |
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You’ll need a Capital One card to use Eno, Capital One’s “intelligent assistant.” You’ll also need to use either the Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browser, so you can get the Eno extension.
The virtual card numbers you create with Eno will be merchant-specific, meaning each one can only be used with its paired merchant.
After installing the extension, the Eno assistant will pop up when you’re on a checkout page. Follow the instructions to create a virtual card number for that merchant. That number will be saved and used for future purchases from that same merchant.
Or, you can use Eno to create virtual cards before making purchases.
Capital One Credit Cards
Capital One credit cards are available for people of all credit ranges. Check out some of Capital One’s best credit cards below.
Key Terms & Features
- 10X miles per dollar at Hotels.com/venture, 1.25X miles for every other purchase
- 12-month 0% intro APR for purchases
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Read more in our Review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card
Key Terms & Features
- 1.5% cash back for every purchase
- 15-month 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Read more in our Review of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Key Terms & Features
- 1% cash back for every purchase (1.25% cash back when you pay on time)
- Access a higher credit line after making your first five monthly payments on time
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Read more in our Review of the Capital One Journey Student Credit Card
Citi Virtual Card Accounts
| Setup | |
| Learn More | |
| Details |
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Most Citi cards are eligible for virtual account numbers. The only exceptions are the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (Review), along with the business version of that card, and the old Citi Dividend card (which is no longer open to new applications).
Each virtual card will be specific to a single merchant. You can set spending limits and expiration dates.
You can manage and use your virtual account numbers through Citi’s web service. Windows users can choose to download a program to manage virtual accounts instead.
Citi Credit Cards
Learn more about Citi credit cards, or take a look at a few of Citi’s best card offers.
Key Terms & Features
- 2% cash back for every purchase you make
- 18-month 0% intro APR for balance transfers
- No annual fee
Read more in our Review of the Citi Double Cash Card
Key Terms & Features
- 3X points per dollar on gas, 2X points at restaurants and on entertainment
- 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
- $95 annual fee, waived the first year
Read more in our Review of the Citi ThankYou Premier Credit Card
Key Terms & Features
- 18-month 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
Read more in our Review of the Citi Simplicity Mastercard
Using Digital Wallets for Extra Card Security
Rather than giving you a virtual number to use, digital wallets store your card information in a (presumably) secure location. Then, a unique token is created whenever you make a purchase, and this is used instead of your real card information.
Digital wallets aren’t exactly virtual credit card services, but they have basically the same effect: They hide your real account details when making payments, by creating and using a one-time random number. You can only use these digital wallets with certain merchants, however.
Two networks and some credit card issuers provide digital wallets. A digital wallet may or may not also be a mobile wallet: an app you can use on your phone to make in-store purchases.
As you can see below, Mastercard Masterpass and Visa Checkout can be used with any of the major credit cards. So you can use either of these services with most credit cards. But a wallet provided by a credit card issuer can only be used with that issuer’s cards.
| Digital Wallet | Details |
|---|---|
| Mastercard Masterpass |
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| Visa Checkout |
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| Amex Express Checkout | |
| Chase Pay |
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Mastercard Masterpass
| Setup | |
| Learn More | |
| Details |
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The Masterpass digital wallet service can be used with any major credit card.
Quite a few merchants accept Masterpass, both online and in-store. Masterpass users will occasionally get special offers, like an extra $5 for loading at least $10 on your Dunkin’ Donuts DD card.
Look for the Masterpass logo to make purchases using this service, or check out the merchant directory in the table above.
The Masterpass logo at checkout.
Visa Checkout
| Setup | |
| Learn More | |
| Details |
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The Visa Checkout service replaced the old V.me payment system. After signing up you can add cards from any of the major issuers, not just Visa cards.
Like Masterpass above, Visa Checkout users will occasionally see deals with particular merchants. A recent deal was $25 off a future order at Shutterfly after making a purchase from that company using Visa Checkout.
You can use Visa Checkout at a wide variety of merchants, which you’ll find linked in the table above. Click the Visa Checkout logo to use it for your purchase.
The Visa Checkout logo.
Amex Express Checkout
| Setup |
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| Learn More | |
| Details |
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Amex cardholders don’t need to sign up or register to use Amex Express Checkout.
Just click the logo when you checkout with a participating merchant, and you’ll be asked to provide your American Express login details. Then you can select the card you’d like to pay with.
The Amex Express Checkout logo. It’s not weird to order smiley strawberries for yourself.
American Express Credit Cards
American Express has quite a few good cards. Here are a few of its best.
Key Terms & Features
- 5X Membership Rewards points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines, and flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel
- $200 airline fee credit, $200 Uber credit, $100 Global Entry/TSA Pre✓ credit, Global Lounge Collection
- $550 annual fee
Read more in our Review of the Platinum Card from American Express
Key Terms & Features
- 2X Membership Rewards points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets and with Amex Travel
- 20% point bonus for making 20 or more purchases with the card per month
- 15-month 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers, no balance transfer fee
- No annual fee
Read more in our Review of the Amex Everyday Credit Card
Key Terms & Features
- 6X points per dollar at participating SPG and Marriott properties, 2X points for all other purchases
- Annual free night award, SPG Silver Elite status, premium internet access
- $95 annual fee, waived the first year
Read more in our Review of the Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express
Chase Pay
| Setup | |
| Learn More |
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| Details |
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Only some cards and devices are eligible for Chase Pay. You can check the list of cards that work in Chase Pay here. Chase Pay is available for iPhone 5 or newer, iOS versions 9 and up. It’s also available for Android OS 4.1 and up.
With some merchants you may need to make purchases through the actual Chase Pay app if you want to use this payment method. Otherwise, like Masterpass and Visa Checkout, you should look for the Chase Pay logo when checking out online.
The Chase Pay logo at checkout.
Chase Credit Cards
Here are some of the top credit cards offered by Chase.
Key Terms & Features
- 2X Ultimate Rewards points for travel and at restaurants
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee, waived the first year
Read more in our Review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Key Terms & Features
- 5% cash back in categories that change every 3 months
- 15-month 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
Read more in our Review of the Chase Freedom Credit Card
Key Terms & Features
- No balance transfer fee for transfers made in the first 60 days
- 15-month 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
Read more in our Review of the Chase Slate Credit Card
Instant Credit Card Numbers
Maybe you have a big expense coming up with no way to pay for it, and you’re looking for a 0% APR card to give you some time to pay it off. Or perhaps you’re going on a trip next week, and you waited a bit too long to apply for that travel card.
Whatever the reason, you’re looking to get and use a credit card as quickly as possible. Luckily for you, there are a few ways to do that.
There are several issuers that will provide you with your card details as soon as you’re approved:
- American Express: You can request an instant card number as you apply. The account number will be the same as the physical card you get, but the other details may differ.
- Capital One: Check your card details after being approved by logging in to Capital One’s mobile app.
- USAA: Instant card numbers are provided, but credit limits are limited to $1,000 (the actual physical card will have your normal limit).
A couple types of credit cards may also provide instant card numbers:
- Airline Credit Cards: Some airline cards are known to provide instant numbers you can use to book flights right after being approved, like the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card.
- Retail Store Credit Cards: Many store cards can be used immediately after approval — they’re often advertised at checkout counters, so you can use them for the purchase you’re making.
These instant card numbers are not the same as the virtual card numbers discussed above.
Virtual account numbers are different than your regular, physical card account number. But these instant card numbers will be the same as your physical card number. So if you use them for any transactions you’ll be using your real card details.
Virtual Prepaid Debit Card Services
There are quite a few other online services that mask, or hide, your payment information.
Some of them use prepaid virtual cards. These aren’t virtual credit cards — rather than having a line of credit, they’re tied to the specific fund that you deposit. They’re pretty much like digital versions of the prepaid cards you can buy at stores.
Other companies may use different methods. And they may be more or less secure, depending on the particular service.
Here are some of the more popular providers of virtual prepaid cards and payment masking services. Take note that we haven’t tested these companies, and we don’t vouch for their services in any way.
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Emburse |
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| Entropay |
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| Netspend |
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| Privacy |
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| SpectroCard |
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| TangoCard |
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Wrapping Up
Virtual credit card numbers can help keep you secure when shopping online or by phone. They don’t actually provide any extra fraud protections, but they act as an extra layer between you and identity thieves.
Consider using a virtual number if you’re making a payment to a potentially shady company or risky website. Or, if you want to take extra steps to maintain your privacy you can use virtual numbers for all of your online shopping.
If your card issuer doesn’t offer these disposable credit cards, think about using a digital wallet instead. You can go with Visa Checkout or Masterpass for almost any card.
Before entering your credit card information, stop and think: Do you feel confident sending your personal details to this company?
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