What a Virtual Credit Card Is and How to Request One
A virtual credit card is a temporary card number linked to your real account that you use for online purchases instead of your actual card number. The number works like a regular card number—it has its own expiration date and security code—but it exists only in your issuer's system and on your device, not as a physical card. When you make a purchase, the charge goes to your real account, but the merchant never sees your actual card details.
Most major card issuers now offer virtual card numbers through their mobile app or online account portal. You generate a new number each time you shop, or you can set one to stay active for a specific merchant. The process takes less than a minute and costs nothing.
To request one, log into your card issuer's app or website, look for a section called "Virtual Card," "Digital Card," "Card Controls," or "Secure Shopping," and follow the prompts to generate a number. Some issuers call the feature by different names—Citi calls it "Virtual Account Numbers," Capital One calls it "Eno," and American Express calls it "ShopSafe"—but the function is the same.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual card numbers are generated through your issuer's app or website and take less than a minute to create at no cost.
- Each virtual number is tied to your real account, so charges appear on your regular statement and count toward your credit limit.
- You can set a virtual number to expire after one purchase, after a set date, or when you manually delete it.
- Not all merchants accept virtual numbers—some online retailers and subscription services reject them because they cannot match the billing address to a physical card.
- Virtual numbers protect your actual card number from data breaches at the merchant, but they do not change your liability for fraud on your real account.
Where to Find the Virtual Card Feature in Your Account
The location of the virtual card tool varies by issuer. In most mobile apps, it appears as a tab or menu item on the main card screen or under "Card Controls" or "Security." On the web version of your account, look under "Account Services," "Card Management," or "Security Settings."
If you cannot find it, check your issuer's help section or search their website for the exact name they use. Some issuers only offer virtual cards to cardholders who have enrolled in their mobile app, so you may need to download the app first. A few smaller issuers do not offer virtual cards at all—if yours does not, you can check whether a third-party app like Privacy or Blur generates virtual numbers on your behalf, though these require a separate account.
How to Set Limits and Expiration Dates on Virtual Numbers
When you generate a virtual number, most issuers let you set rules for how it behaves. You can usually choose whether the number expires after one transaction, after a specific date you set, or when you manually delete it. Some issuers also let you set a spending cap—a maximum amount the number will accept before it stops working.
These controls are useful for different situations. For a one-time purchase from an unfamiliar retailer, set the number to expire after one use. For a recurring subscription, set it to expire on the date your subscription ends or renews. For a merchant you trust but want to monitor, set a spending limit slightly above what you expect to spend, so any unauthorized charge above that amount will be declined.
You can change or delete a virtual number at any time through the same menu where you created it. If a number is compromised or you want to stop a subscription, deleting it immediately stops any future charges to that number.
Why Some Merchants Reject Virtual Card Numbers
Virtual numbers work at most major online retailers, but some merchants decline them. The most common reason is that the merchant's payment system tries to match the billing address on file with the address associated with the card number. Since a virtual number is not tied to a physical address the way a regular card is, the system flags it as a mismatch and rejects it.
Subscription services and recurring billing merchants are more likely to reject virtual numbers because they need a stable card number that will not change between billing cycles. If you use a virtual number that expires after one transaction, the next charge will fail. Some merchants also reject virtual numbers as a fraud prevention measure, even though virtual numbers are actually more secure for the customer.
If a merchant rejects your virtual number, you have two options: use your actual card number instead, or contact the merchant's customer service to ask whether they accept virtual numbers. Some merchants will process a virtual number if you call and provide it over the phone, even if their online form rejects it.
Virtual Cards and Your Credit Limit and Statement
A virtual number does not create a separate account or credit limit. Every charge made with a virtual number counts against your real card's credit limit and appears on your regular monthly statement. The merchant name and amount will show up just as they would if you had used your physical card.
This means virtual numbers do not help you spend more than your credit limit allows, and they do not hide purchases from your statement or your issuer. Your account activity is the same whether you use a virtual or physical card number.
Virtual numbers also do not affect your credit score differently than regular card use. Charges count the same way toward your utilization ratio and payment history.
Virtual Cards and Fraud Protection
A virtual number protects your actual card number from being stolen during a data breach at the merchant. If the retailer's system is hacked and the virtual number is exposed, the thief gets a number that either has already expired or has a spending limit too low to be useful. Your real card number stays safe in your issuer's system.
However, a virtual number does not change your liability for fraudulent charges on your real account. If someone uses your virtual number without permission, you still have the same fraud protections you would have with your physical card—usually zero liability for unauthorized charges, though you must report the fraud within the timeframe your issuer requires (typically 60 days).
Virtual numbers also do not protect you from other types of fraud, such as phishing scams where someone tricks you into sending them money, or account takeover where someone gains access to your entire account. They only protect the card number itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a virtual card number at a physical store or ATM?
No. Virtual numbers exist only in your issuer's system and on your device—they cannot be used at a physical location because there is no physical card to insert or tap. You must use your actual card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay at stores and ATMs.
What happens if I delete a virtual number before a subscription charge goes through?
The charge will be declined because the number no longer exists. The merchant will typically send you a notification that the payment failed. You will need to update your subscription with a new card number—either your physical card or a new virtual number—to keep the service active.
Do all credit card issuers offer virtual numbers?
Most major issuers do, including Chase, American Express, Citi, Capital One, and Discover. Some smaller regional banks and credit unions do not. Check your issuer's website or app to see whether the feature is available on your account.
Can I use the same virtual number for multiple purchases?
Yes, if you set it to stay active. You can create a virtual number that does not expire and use it for multiple transactions at the same merchant or different merchants. You can also delete it whenever you want to stop using it.
Does using a virtual number affect my credit score?
No differently than using your physical card. Charges made with a virtual number count toward your credit utilization and payment history the same way regular charges do. Your credit score is based on your account activity, not on which card number you use.