What a virtual credit card is and how to get one
A virtual credit card is a card number that exists only in digital form — you receive it through an app or your bank's website, not a physical card in the mail. You use it to make online purchases, subscriptions, or one-time payments. Most virtual cards are linked to your existing credit card account or bank account, and charges appear on your regular statement.
Getting one takes minutes. You log into your bank's app or website, find the virtual card section (sometimes called "digital wallet" or "card controls"), and request a new number. The bank generates it when ready. You can then use it right away for online shopping. Some banks let you set spending limits, expiration dates, or merchant restrictions on each virtual card.
Virtual cards come from two main sources: your existing bank or credit card issuer, or a standalone service that works with your debit account. The process differs slightly depending on which you choose, but both are straightforward.
Key Takeaways
- Most major banks and credit card companies now offer virtual cards through their mobile apps or websites at no extra cost.
- You can generate a virtual card number in minutes and use it for online purchases when ready.
- Virtual cards let you set spending limits, block specific merchants, or set expiration dates for added security.
- Standalone virtual card services require you to link a debit account but work even if your bank doesn't offer them.
- Virtual card numbers are separate from your real card number, so a merchant breach doesn't expose your actual account.
Getting a virtual card from your bank or credit card issuer
Start by opening the mobile app for your bank or credit card company. Look for a section labeled "Cards," "Digital Cards," "Virtual Cards," or "Card Controls." If you don't see it in the main menu, check Settings or scroll to the bottom of the app.
Tap or click the option to create a new virtual card. The app will ask you to confirm your identity — usually by entering your PIN, password, or biometric (fingerprint or face). This takes seconds. Once confirmed, the bank generates a new 16-digit card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back of a physical card).
The number appears on your screen when ready. You can copy it, screenshot it, or save it to your phone's digital wallet. Some apps let you name the card (for example, "Netflix Virtual Card" or "Shopping Site A") so you remember what you used it for. You can then use this number for any online purchase, just as you would a physical card number.
Most banks let you set rules on each virtual card: a spending limit (for example, $50 per month), a merchant category (for example, "streaming services only"), or an expiration date (for example, "expires in 3 months"). These controls help you manage risk if a merchant is breached or if you want to limit spending on a subscription.
Using a standalone virtual card service
If your bank doesn't offer virtual cards, you can use a standalone service. Common options include Privacy, Blur, and Mysudo. These services generate virtual card numbers that work on any merchant that accepts Mastercard or Visa, depending on the service.
To start, read the app and create an account. You'll link your debit account or bank account to fund the virtual cards. The service then generates a virtual card number on demand. You set the spending limit and any merchant restrictions before you use it.
Standalone services charge a monthly subscription (usually $5 to $15 per month) or charge per virtual card. Some offer a free tier with limited features. Read the pricing page carefully before you sign up, because costs vary widely.
The main trade-off is that you're giving a third-party company access to your bank account, whereas your bank's own virtual cards don't require that extra step. However, these services are regulated and encrypted, and many people use them without incident.
What information you need to provide
If you're using your bank's virtual card service, you don't need to provide anything extra — you're already a customer. Just open the app and generate the card.
If you're using a standalone service, you'll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and the bank account or debit card you want to link. The service verifies this information (sometimes by making two small deposits to your account and asking you to confirm the amounts). This verification usually takes one to three business days.
Some standalone services also ask for your Social Security number or a government ID, depending on the service and your state. This is normal for financial services and is used to prevent fraud.
How virtual cards protect your information
A virtual card number is separate from your real card number. When you use a virtual card at an online merchant, that merchant sees only the virtual number, not your actual account number. If the merchant is later breached and hackers steal card numbers, they get the virtual number — which is useless to them because it's either expired, has a low spending limit, or is restricted to that one merchant.
Your real card number stays hidden. You can also delete or deactivate a virtual card when ready through your app if you suspect fraud, without affecting your actual card or account.
This is especially useful for subscriptions or one-time purchases from merchants you don't fully trust. You can create a virtual card with a $15 monthly limit for a streaming service, for example, so even if the service is compromised, a thief can't charge more than $15 per month to that card.
Common reasons to use a virtual card
Many people use virtual cards for subscriptions they plan to cancel. You create a card with a three-month expiration date, use it to sign up for the service, and when the card expires, the subscription can't auto-renew. You avoid having to remember to cancel manually.
Others use them for one-time purchases from unfamiliar websites. A virtual card with a $100 limit and a one-time use setting means you're protected if the site turns out to be fraudulent or poorly secured.
Some people create separate virtual cards for different spending categories — one for groceries, one for entertainment, one for travel — to track spending or set different limits. This is purely optional but can help with budgeting.
Frequent online shoppers sometimes use virtual cards to reduce the number of merchants that have their real card number on file. The fewer places that store your actual number, the smaller your exposure if any of them are breached.
Limits and things to know
Virtual cards work for online purchases and some phone or app-based transactions, but not for in-person shopping at a physical store. If you need to pay in person, you'll still need your physical card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Some merchants don't accept virtual cards, though this is rare. Occasionally a merchant's fraud detection system flags a virtual card as suspicious because it's new or has unusual restrictions. If this happens, you can use your physical card instead or contact the merchant's customer service to explain.
Virtual cards are not a replacement for fraud monitoring. You should still review your statements regularly and report any unauthorized charges to your bank. Virtual cards reduce your risk, but they don't eliminate it entirely.
If you lose access to your phone or the app crashes, you can still see your virtual card numbers by logging into your bank's website on a computer. Write down the number somewhere safe if you're worried about losing access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay a fee to get a virtual card from my bank?
No. Banks and credit card companies offer virtual cards as a free feature to existing customers. There is no setup fee, monthly fee, or per-card fee. Standalone services, however, usually charge a monthly subscription or per-card fee.
Can I use a virtual card for subscriptions?
Yes. Virtual cards work for subscriptions just like physical cards do. Many people use them specifically for subscriptions because they can set an expiration date on the virtual card, which prevents unwanted auto-renewals when the card expires.
What happens if I lose my phone with the virtual card app on it?
Your virtual card numbers are stored in your bank's system, not just on your phone. You can log into your bank's website from any computer or another phone and see all your virtual cards. You can also deactivate a card remotely if you're worried about unauthorized use.
Can merchants see that I'm using a virtual card instead of a real one?
No. To the merchant, a virtual card looks identical to a physical card — same format, same security features. The merchant has no way to know it's virtual.
What's the difference between a virtual card and a digital wallet like Apple Pay?
A digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) stores your real card number and uses encryption to send it securely to merchants. A virtual card generates a separate, temporary card number that is different from your real card. Virtual cards offer more control over spending limits and merchant restrictions, while digital wallets are faster for in-person payments.