What a virtual credit card is and why you might use one
A virtual credit card is a temporary card number tied to your real credit card account. Instead of using your actual card number online, you generate a unique number that works only once or for a single merchant. When that number is compromised or you stop using it, your real card number stays protected.
Virtual cards solve a real problem: every time you type your card number into a website, you're trusting that site to keep it safe. Data breaches happen constantly. A virtual card means a thief who steals that number can't use it anywhere else, and it won't work if they try the same number at a different store next month.
You don't need a special bank account or a new credit card to use one. If your current card issuer offers virtual cards, you generate them through an app or website, and they pull from your existing credit limit and payment account. Some people use them for every online purchase. Others use them only for unfamiliar websites or subscription services they plan to cancel.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual card numbers are generated through your card issuer's app or website and are linked to your real account but work independently.
- Each virtual number can be set to work only at one merchant, only once, or for a limited time period, depending on what your issuer allows.
- Not all credit card companies offer virtual cards yet, so check with your issuer first to see if the feature is available to you.
- Virtual cards protect your real card number from being stolen in a data breach, but they don't protect you from your own mistakes, like entering the wrong amount.
- You still build credit history and earn rewards the same way with a virtual card number as you do with your physical card.
Which card issuers offer virtual card numbers
Major issuers that currently offer virtual cards include Citi (through Citi Virtual Account Numbers), Bank of America (through ShopSafe, though this program is being phased out), and Capital One (through Eno, a browser extension). American Express offers virtual card numbers for some cardholders. Discover has virtual card numbers available through its app.
Smaller banks and credit unions vary widely. Some offer them; many don't. The easiest way to find out is to log into your card's app or website and look for a "virtual card," "temporary card," or "card controls" section. If you don't see one, contact your issuer's customer service and ask whether the feature is available on your specific card.
If your issuer doesn't offer virtual cards, third-party services like Privacy.com and Blur generate virtual numbers that work with most credit cards. These services act as a middleman between you and the merchant. They have their own terms and fees, so read carefully before signing up.
How to generate and set up a virtual card number
The process differs slightly by issuer, but the basic steps are the same. Log into your card's mobile app or website. Look for a section labeled "virtual cards," "card controls," "temporary numbers," or "account numbers." Click the button to generate a new number.
Most issuers let you set rules for each virtual number before you create it. You can usually choose whether the number works at only one merchant or multiple merchants, whether it expires after one use or stays active for a set period, and what spending limit you want to put on it. Some let you set an expiration date. Set these limits tighter for unfamiliar websites and looser for merchants you trust.
Once you generate the number, you'll see a 16-digit card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back of a physical card). Write these down or copy them into your password manager. Use this number exactly as you would your real card number when checking out online. The payment goes to your real account, and your real card number never touches the merchant's website.
When to use a virtual card and when not to
Use a virtual card for any online purchase at a website you don't know well or don't fully trust. This includes small retailers, international sites, and marketplaces where many sellers operate. Use one for subscription services you might cancel later—if the company's payment system is breached, the old virtual number won't work for repeat charges. Use one for one-time purchases where you don't plan to return to the merchant.
Don't use a virtual card for in-person purchases, because you can't present a virtual number to a cashier. Don't use one for recurring bills from trusted companies like your utility or insurance, because you want the same number to work reliably every month, and switching numbers means updating your account with the merchant. Don't use one if you think you might need to dispute a charge, because disputes are easier to handle with your primary card number.
Virtual cards work for phone and mail orders the same way they work online—you read the number to a customer service representative or write it on a form. However, many phone-based merchants are less secure than websites, so this is actually a good use case for a virtual number.
How virtual cards affect your credit and rewards
Virtual card numbers are treated identically to your physical card number by credit bureaus and your card issuer. Charges made with a virtual number appear on your statement under your real account. They count toward your credit utilization (the percentage of your credit limit you're using), they build your payment history, and they earn rewards at the same rate as any other purchase on that card.
Your credit score doesn't know or care whether you used a physical card, a virtual number, or a digital wallet. The only thing that matters to credit bureaus is that you made a purchase on your account and paid it on time. Virtual cards are purely a security tool; they don't change how credit reporting works.
Rewards points, cash back, or miles all post to your account normally. If your card earns 2% cash back on all purchases, you earn 2% on a virtual card purchase just as you would on any other purchase. Check your rewards program terms to see if there are any merchant categories that earn extra—a virtual card number doesn't change those rules.
What to do if a virtual card number is compromised
If you notice a charge you didn't make on a virtual card number, the damage is limited. That number was set to work only at one merchant or for one transaction, so the thief can't use it anywhere else. If the number was set to expire after one use, it's already dead.
Report the fraudulent charge to your card issuer the same way you would report any other fraud. Call the number on the back of your physical card or use your issuer's app. Your issuer will investigate and typically remove the charge from your account. You won't be liable for unauthorized charges on a credit card under federal law.
Delete or deactivate the virtual number through your issuer's app so it can't be used again. Most issuers let you turn off a virtual number without closing your account. Generate a new number for future purchases at that merchant, or switch to a different merchant if you've lost trust in the original one.
Limits and things to know before you start
Virtual cards don't protect you from your own mistakes. If you enter the wrong amount, authorize a charge you didn't mean to, or fall for a scam, a virtual card won't save you. The protection only works against theft of the card number itself. You're still responsible for reviewing your charges and disputing anything that looks wrong.
Some merchants reject virtual card numbers because their payment systems are old or because they flag them as suspicious. This is rare but happens. If a virtual number doesn't work, you can usually generate a new one with different settings, or fall back to your physical card number.
Virtual cards have spending limits set by your card issuer. You can't spend more than your credit limit, and you can't spend more than the individual limit you set on that virtual number. If you hit the limit, the charge will be declined, and you'll need to use a different number or your physical card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay an extra fee to use a virtual card?
No. If your card issuer offers virtual cards as a built-in feature, there is no fee. Third-party services like Privacy.com may charge a monthly subscription or take a small cut of each transaction, so read their pricing before you sign up.
Can I use a virtual card for gas station pumps or ATMs?
No. Virtual card numbers only work for online purchases, phone orders, and mail orders. You need your physical card or a digital wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) for in-person transactions at pumps and ATMs.
What happens to a virtual card number if I close my credit card account?
All virtual numbers tied to that account become inactive. If you close a card and open a new one with the same issuer, you'll need to generate new virtual numbers. Any recurring charges set up with old virtual numbers will be declined.
Can I see all my virtual card numbers in one place?
Yes. Your card issuer's app or website shows all active and inactive virtual numbers you've generated, along with which merchant each one is linked to and how much you've spent on it. You can review this history anytime to see which numbers are still active.
Do virtual cards work internationally?
Yes, virtual card numbers work the same way at international websites as they do at U.S. websites. Your card issuer will handle currency conversion the same way they do for your physical card. Check whether your issuer charges foreign transaction fees—virtual numbers don't change those fees.