What a virtual credit card is and how it works
A virtual credit card is a temporary card number that your bank or credit card company generates for you to use online. It looks like a regular credit card number — 16 digits, expiration date, CVV code — but it exists only in your account, not as a physical card. When you shop online, you enter the virtual number instead of your real card number.
The virtual number is linked to your actual credit card account, so the charge still goes to your real card and your real billing address. But the merchant never sees your actual card number. If that merchant's website gets hacked or sells your information, the stolen number is useless — it either expires after one use or stops working after a set date you choose.
Virtual cards come from two main sources: your bank or credit card issuer (like Chase or Capital One), or a third-party app that creates them on top of your existing card. The process differs between the two, and not every bank offers them yet.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual card numbers are generated by your bank or a third-party app and mask your real card number when you shop online.
- Your bank's virtual card feature is usually free and built into your online account or mobile app — no separate sign-up required.
- Third-party apps like Privacy, Blur, and Masked create virtual numbers for any card you own, but some charge a monthly fee or limit free uses.
- Virtual cards reduce the risk that a data breach will expose your actual card number, but they do not prevent fraud on your real account.
- Not all merchants accept virtual cards, and some subscription services reject them because they cannot verify the billing address matches.
Getting a virtual card from your bank
Most major banks and credit card issuers now offer virtual card numbers to their customers at no cost. Chase, Bank of America, Citi, Capital One, and American Express all have versions. The feature is usually called something like "Virtual Account Numbers," "find Card Numbers," or "Virtual Card." Check your bank's website or mobile app to see if it is available on your account.
To find it, log into your online banking or credit card app and look for a menu item related to security, card settings, or account management. Some banks put it under "Card Services" or "Digital Wallet." If you cannot find it, call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask whether they offer virtual card numbers and how to turn it on.
Once you turn on the feature, you can usually generate a new virtual number right from your app or website. You choose how long it lasts — some let you set an expiration date, others expire after one transaction, and some stay active for a set period like three months. You then use that number for your online purchase just like you would use your real card number.
Using a third-party virtual card app
If your bank does not offer virtual cards, or if you want more control over which merchants see which numbers, a third-party app can create virtual numbers for any credit card you own. The most common ones are Privacy, Blur (by Abine), Masked, and Eno (by Capital One, for non-Capital One cards). These apps sit between you and the merchant and generate a unique number for each purchase or subscription.
To use one, you read the app, connect your real credit card to it, and then generate a virtual number when you are ready to check out. The app stores the virtual number and links it to that merchant, so if you shop there again, you can reuse the same number or generate a new one. The charge still goes to your real card, but the merchant only ever sees the virtual number.
Most third-party apps offer a free tier with limits — usually a set number of virtual cards per month or per year. Privacy, for example, offers one free virtual card per month on its free plan; Blur offers unlimited cards but limits some features. Paid plans typically run $5 to $15 per month and remove those limits. Before you sign up, check whether the app works with your card issuer and whether it charges a fee.
What information you need to set up a virtual card
Setting up a virtual card through your bank requires almost nothing — you just log into your account and turn on the feature. You do not need to provide new information or verify anything beyond what your bank already has on file.
For a third-party app, you need your real credit card number, expiration date, and CVV code — the same information you would enter on any website. You also need to create an account with the app, which usually means an email address and a password. Some apps ask for your billing address or phone number, but most do not. The app then stores your card information securely and uses it to process the virtual numbers it creates.
When you use a virtual number to make a purchase, the merchant sees the virtual number, your billing address (which is your real address), and your name — the same information they would see with your real card. They do not see that you used a virtual number.
When merchants reject virtual card numbers
Most online retailers accept virtual card numbers without any problem. However, some merchants have systems that reject them, usually because they cannot verify that the card number matches the billing address or because they need to charge the card multiple times and the virtual number expires after the first charge.
Subscription services are the most common culprit. If you sign up for a streaming service or software subscription with a virtual number that expires after one month, the service may fail to charge you the next month and cancel your subscription. Some merchants also reject virtual numbers during checkout because their payment processor flags them as high-risk.
If a merchant rejects your virtual number, you have two options: use your real card number instead, or contact the merchant's customer service and ask whether they accept virtual cards. Some will work with you; others will not. For subscriptions you plan to keep long-term, using your real card is usually simpler than managing a virtual number that expires.
How virtual cards protect you from fraud
A virtual card number protects you in one specific way: if a merchant's website is hacked or sells your information, the stolen number is worthless. The hacker cannot use it at other stores, and they cannot use it after the number expires. Your real card number stays private, so your account is not compromised across multiple merchants.
However, virtual cards do not prevent fraud on your real account. If someone gains access to your bank account or app, they can still see your real card number and use it. Virtual cards also do not protect you from phishing scams, where you enter your information on a fake website, or from scams where you send money to a criminal who never delivers the goods. They only hide your real card number from the merchant you are buying from.
For maximum security, use a virtual card for one-time purchases from merchants you do not know well or do not fully trust. For regular purchases from established retailers or subscriptions you plan to keep, the security benefit is smaller, and using your real card is usually more convenient.
Comparing bank virtual cards and third-party apps
| Feature | Bank Virtual Card | Third-Party App |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free tier available; paid plans $5–$15/month |
| Setup time | when ready (if your bank offers it) | 5–10 minutes to read and connect card |
| Works with any card | Only your bank's card | Yes, any credit or debit card |
| Control over expiration | Limited; bank sets the rules | High; you choose per transaction |
| Availability | Not all banks offer it yet | Available to anyone with a card |
| Merchant acceptance | High; same as real card | High; same as real card |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do virtual cards hurt my credit score?
No. Virtual cards are just a different way to use your existing credit card account. The charges still report to your credit history the same way, and the card issuer still reports your payment history to the credit bureaus. Using a virtual card does not change how your credit is built or reported.
Can I use a virtual card at a physical store?
No. Virtual cards exist only as numbers in your account. You cannot use them at checkout in a store or at an ATM. They work only for online purchases, phone orders, or mail orders where you enter the card number. For in-person shopping, you need your physical card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
What happens if I dispute a charge made with a virtual card?
You dispute it the same way you would dispute any charge on your real card — by contacting your bank or credit card company and explaining the problem. The bank investigates and either refunds you or sides with the merchant. The fact that you used a virtual number does not change the dispute process or your protections under federal law.
Can I see all my virtual card numbers in one place?
If you use your bank's virtual card feature, the numbers usually appear in your account history or in a dedicated section of your app. If you use a third-party app, all your virtual numbers are stored in that app. You cannot see third-party virtual numbers in your bank's system — only the charges they generate show up on your real card statement.
Do I need a virtual card if I use a password manager?
A password manager and a virtual card serve different purposes. A password manager stores your login credentials securely; a virtual card hides your card number from merchants. You can use both together for maximum security, but neither one replaces the other. A password manager does not protect your card number if a merchant is hacked.