What a virtual credit card number is and how to get one
A virtual credit card number is a temporary set of card digits generated by your bank or card issuer that works like a real card number but expires after one use or on a date you set. Instead of using your actual card number when you shop online, you use the virtual number. If that number gets stolen or the merchant is breached, the thief has a number that either no longer works or is tied to a spending limit you chose.
Most major banks and card issuers now offer this feature through their mobile app or online account dashboard. Some call it a "virtual card," others call it "card lock" or "digital wallet protection." The process is usually free and takes less than a minute once you have the app open.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual card numbers are generated through your bank's app or website and replace your real card number for online purchases.
- Each virtual number can be set to expire after one transaction, on a specific date, or after a spending limit is reached.
- Major issuers like Chase, Bank of America, American Express, and Capital One offer this feature, though the name and process vary by bank.
- Virtual numbers protect your actual card number from being stolen during a data breach or by a dishonest merchant.
- You can generate a new virtual number for each purchase or reuse the same number across multiple transactions with one merchant.
How to generate a virtual number through your bank's app
The exact steps depend on your bank, but the general process is the same. Open your bank's mobile app or log into your online banking portal, then look for a section labeled "Virtual Card," "Card Controls," "Digital Card," or "Temporary Card Number." Some banks put this under "Security" or "Card Management."
Once you find it, you will see a button to generate a new number. Click it. The app will ask you to choose a few settings: which account the charge should come from, a spending limit (if you want one), and an expiration date or rule (one-time use, expires in 30 days, expires on a specific date). After you confirm, the app displays a full card number, expiration date, and CVV. Copy or screenshot these details, then use them at checkout instead of your real card number.
If the merchant asks for a billing address, use the address on file with your bank. Virtual numbers are tied to your real account, so the address must match for the transaction to go through.
Which banks and card issuers offer virtual numbers
Chase offers virtual numbers through its app under the name "Chase Virtual Account Numbers." You can generate one for any Chase credit or debit card and set it to expire after one use or on a date you choose.
Bank of America calls its version "ShopSafe" and offers it through its mobile app and online banking. You can create a virtual number linked to any of your Bank of America cards, set a spending limit, and choose an expiration date.
American Express provides "Amex Digital Account Numbers" through its app and website. These work with any Amex card and let you set a spending limit and expiration date. Amex also lets you generate numbers directly from some merchant websites if they have a partnership with Amex.
Capital One offers "Eno," a virtual card service available through its app and as a browser extension. Eno can generate numbers on the fly when you are checking out online, and it fills in the number automatically.
Citi provides virtual account numbers through its mobile app for Citi credit and debit cards. You set a spending limit and expiration date before generating each number.
If your bank is not listed here, check your app or online banking portal under "Security," "Card Controls," or "Digital Services." Many regional banks and credit unions now offer this feature, though they may call it by a different name.
When to use a virtual number versus your real card
Use a virtual number for any online purchase from a merchant you do not know well or do not trust completely. This includes one-time purchases from unfamiliar websites, subscriptions you plan to cancel, and shopping on marketplaces where many sellers operate under one platform.
You can also use a virtual number for recurring charges like streaming services or gym memberships. Set the number to expire on the date you plan to cancel, and the merchant will not be able to charge you again after that date even if they try.
Use your real card number for merchants you trust and shop with regularly — your bank, your phone company, your insurance provider. Virtual numbers add a step to checkout, so there is no reason to use them everywhere. Save them for situations where the extra security matters.
Do not use a virtual number for in-person purchases or phone orders where the merchant needs to see your physical card or verify your identity by reading the number aloud. Virtual numbers work only for online transactions.
How virtual numbers protect you in a data breach
When a merchant's database is hacked and customer card numbers are stolen, thieves get a list of real card numbers they can try to use or sell. If you used a virtual number for that purchase, the stolen number is either already expired or has a spending limit so low that it is useless.
Your real card number stays safe in your bank's system. The merchant never sees it. Even if the thief tries to use the stolen virtual number somewhere else, it will be declined because it is either expired or tied to a different merchant.
This does not protect you from identity theft — if a merchant stores your name, address, and email, a thief can still use that information. But it stops them from using your card number to make charges.
Limits and things to know before you start
Virtual numbers work only for online purchases. You cannot use them at a gas pump, a store register, or anywhere that requires a physical card or a real-time card read.
Some merchants reject virtual numbers because their payment system does not recognize them or because they have rules against temporary cards. This is rare, but it happens. If a virtual number is declined, you will need to use your real card or try a different payment method.
Virtual numbers are still tied to your real account and your real bank. If you dispute a charge made with a virtual number, the dispute process works the same way as with your real card. The merchant can still see your name and billing address, so a virtual number does not hide your identity from the company.
If you lose track of which virtual number you used for which merchant, check your bank's app or online portal. Most banks keep a history of generated numbers and which transactions they were used for. You can also set a custom name or note for each virtual number so you remember what it was for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse the same virtual number for multiple purchases from the same merchant?
Yes. When you generate a virtual number, you can set it to expire after one use or on a specific date. If you set it to expire on a date in the future, you can use that same number for multiple purchases from that merchant until the expiration date arrives. This is useful for subscriptions or recurring charges.
What happens if I set a spending limit on a virtual number and the merchant tries to charge more?
The transaction will be declined. The merchant will see a message that the card was rejected, just as if you had insufficient funds. You can generate a new virtual number with a higher limit if you need to complete the purchase.
Do virtual numbers work with digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Some banks allow you to add a virtual number to a digital wallet, but this varies. Check your bank's app or contact customer service to see if your bank supports this. In most cases, it is easier to use the virtual number directly at checkout on a website.
If a virtual number is declined, does it hurt my credit score?
No. A declined transaction does not appear on your credit report. It is simply a failed charge attempt. Your credit score is based on payment history, credit utilization, and other factors — not on declined transactions.
Can I generate a virtual number for a debit card, or only for credit cards?
Most banks offer virtual numbers for both debit and credit cards. Check your bank's app to see which of your cards support the feature. The process is the same regardless of whether it is a debit or credit card.