One way to get a virtual credit card number is to generate one via your credit card issuer. That could lead to issues like declined purchases if merchants don't know to trust that new virtual card. Note: Some consumers like the privacy of virtual credit cards, but the lack of consistency can also make it harder for retailers to provide a smooth customer experience. Virtual credit cards have "become more popular, not only because e-commerce has become more popular over the last few years, but primarily because of more privacy concerns or security concerns from consumers," says Kevin Lee, vice president of trust and safety at Sift, a startup that helps businesses manage online security. Each time you purchase from a retailer, you might be using what looks like a different credit card.
Plus, virtual credit cards can help you maintain more privacy from merchants, as they're not seeing your regular credit card number. A virtual credit card number can be set up for a certain number of uses, only allowed at particular stores, or limited to a specific dollar amount.Įven if the virtual card doesn't have these guardrails in place, you could potentially freeze a virtual card if you suspect fraud while keeping your original card number in use. But with a virtual credit card, there's a layer of separation that can protect you.
If someone gets your regular credit card information by hacking a retailer, for example, they might use it fraudulently as many times as possible. A virtual credit card consists of a new set of numbers tied to that original credit card that you can enter whenever you're asked for your credit card information when making a purchase.
0 kommentar(er)
