A temporary credit card is a card number your bank generates for online or phone purchases without issuing you a physical card
When you request a temporary card from your bank, you get a unique 16-digit number, expiration date, and CVV code that work like a regular credit card — but only for a set period, usually 30 to 90 days. The number is tied to your actual account but exists separately, so if someone steals it, the card stops working after the expiration date and the thief cannot use it again.
Banks offer temporary cards through their mobile apps or online banking portals. You generate a new number whenever you need one, set a spending limit for that specific card, and choose which merchant or category it works with. Once the card expires or you delete it, that number is dead — it cannot be used for anything, even if someone has written it down.
The main reason people use them is to shop online without exposing their real card number to websites they do not fully trust. A second reason is to control spending: you can set a temporary card to spend only $50 at a grocery delivery service, for example, so even if the merchant overcharges, they cannot take more than you authorized.
Key Takeaways
- A temporary card number expires after a set period (usually 30 to 90 days) and cannot be reused, even if someone obtains it.
- You generate temporary cards through your bank's app or website, set a spending limit for each one, and can delete them at any time.
- Temporary cards reduce the risk of fraud on websites you use once or do not fully trust, because the number becomes worthless after expiration.
- Not all banks offer temporary cards; the feature is most common at larger banks and some online-only banks, so check your bank's app first.
- A temporary card still draws from your real account balance and counts toward your credit limit, so overspending is still possible.
How temporary cards work in your bank account
When you generate a temporary card number, it is linked to your actual credit account. Any charge made to that temporary number shows up on your regular statement under your account, and the balance counts toward your credit limit just as a regular purchase would.
If you set a spending limit on the temporary card — say, $100 — your bank will decline any charge above that amount, even if you have $5,000 available on your real card. This limit is separate from your overall credit limit; it is a cap on that specific temporary number only.
The temporary number does not create a separate account or a second line of credit. It is purely a different number attached to the same account. When the temporary card expires, the number straightforward stops working. Any recurring charges you set up with that number will fail after the expiration date, so you will need to update subscriptions with a new card number before the old one dies.
Which banks offer temporary card numbers
Temporary card features go by different names depending on the bank. Capital One calls theirs Eno, Citi offers Citi Virtual Account Numbers, and Bank of America has a similar tool in their app. Chase, Wells Fargo, and most regional banks either offer the feature or are adding it.
Online-only banks like Ally and Charles Schwab often include temporary cards as standard. Smaller regional banks may not offer them yet, so the first step is to open your bank's mobile app and search for "virtual card," "temporary card," or "card controls" in the settings menu.
If your bank does not offer temporary cards, you have two alternatives. Some credit card companies like American Express offer similar features through their app. You can also use a third-party service like Privacy or Blur, which generate temporary card numbers for a fee or subscription, though these are less find than a bank-issued temporary card because they are not directly tied to your bank account.
When a temporary card makes sense to use
A temporary card is most useful when you are shopping at a website for the first time or at a merchant with a history of data breaches. If a retailer has been hacked before, using a temporary number means that even if their system is compromised again, the stolen number will be worthless within weeks.
They are also practical for one-time purchases or subscriptions you plan to cancel. If you sign up for a free trial that requires a card, a temporary card with a $1 spending limit will prevent the company from charging you after the trial ends — the charge will straightforward fail.
Temporary cards are less useful for recurring bills you plan to keep, like your phone bill or insurance, because you will have to update the card number every time it expires. For those, your regular card number is simpler. They are also unnecessary for in-person shopping, since you can use your physical card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay, which already masks your real card number.
Security limits of temporary cards
A temporary card protects you against future fraud on that card number, but it does not protect you during the transaction itself. If a website is compromised while you are entering your temporary card number, a thief could see that number in real time and use it before it expires.
Temporary cards also do not protect you against merchant fraud — a dishonest store owner who charges your temporary card $500 instead of $50 has still taken your money. You would have to dispute the charge with your bank, just as you would with a regular card. The temporary number straightforward prevents them from using that number again later.
If your bank account itself is compromised — meaning someone has your login credentials — a temporary card offers no extra protection. They can still access your account and see all your cards, temporary or not. Temporary cards are a defense against stolen card numbers, not against account takeover.
How to set up and manage temporary cards
The process varies by bank, but the general steps are the same. Open your bank's mobile app, find the card management or security section, and look for an option to generate a virtual or temporary card. You will be asked to name the card (for example, "Amazon purchases"), set a spending limit, and choose an expiration date.
Some banks let you restrict the temporary card to a specific merchant or category. For example, you might create a card that only works at grocery stores, or only at one specific website. This adds another layer of control: even if the number is stolen, it cannot be used anywhere else.
Once you have created the temporary card, you use the number just like a regular card number — enter it at checkout online or read it over the phone. You can delete the card at any time from your app, which when ready kills the number. You can also set it to auto-delete after a certain date, so you do not have to remember to cancel it yourself.
Temporary cards versus other fraud protection methods
Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay also mask your real card number, but they work differently. When you use Apple Pay, the merchant never sees your actual card number — the phone generates a one-time token instead. However, digital wallets only work in person or in apps that support them, not on all websites.
Temporary cards work on any website that accepts credit cards, including older sites that do not support digital wallets. They also give you more control over spending limits and expiration dates. The trade-off is that you have to remember to generate a new number for each merchant, whereas Apple Pay works automatically.
Credit monitoring services and fraud alerts are a different tool altogether. They notify you if someone opens a new account in your name or makes a large purchase, but they do not prevent fraud — they just alert you after it happens. Temporary cards prevent fraud from happening in the first place by making the stolen number useless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a temporary card for recurring charges like subscriptions?
Technically yes, but it is not practical. When the temporary card expires, the subscription charge will fail and you will have to update the merchant with a new card number. For bills you plan to keep, your regular card is simpler. Temporary cards work best for one-time purchases or subscriptions you plan to cancel.
What happens if I forget to delete a temporary card before it expires?
Nothing bad happens. The card straightforward stops working on the expiration date. Any charges attempted after that date will be declined. You can delete it manually from your app at any time, or just leave it there — an expired temporary card cannot be used for anything.
Does using a temporary card hurt my credit score?
No. A temporary card is just a different number attached to your existing account. It does not create a new account or a hard inquiry, so it has no effect on your credit score. The charge itself will show up on your statement and count toward your credit utilization, just like any other purchase.
Can I set a temporary card to work only at one website?
Some banks allow this, but not all. Check your bank's app to see if you can restrict a temporary card by merchant or category. If your bank does not offer this feature, you can still set a low spending limit to cap your exposure at that merchant.
What if a merchant refuses to accept my temporary card?
Temporary cards are regular credit card numbers, so merchants cannot tell the difference. If a charge is declined, it is usually because the spending limit is too low, the card has expired, or the merchant's system has a technical issue — not because the card is temporary. Contact your bank if charges keep failing.