What a Chase virtual card number is and when you use it
A virtual card number is a temporary set of digits that Chase generates for you to use online instead of your real card number. The number is linked to your actual Chase credit card account, but it is not your actual card number. When you enter it at checkout, the merchant sees only the temporary number — not your real card details.
You use a virtual number when you want to shop online but do not want to hand over your actual card number to a website. The temporary number works for one transaction or one merchant, depending on how you set it up. If that website gets hacked or sells your data, the thieves have a number that either does not work anymore or is useless to them because it is tied to that one store.
Chase offers this feature through its credit cards, but not all of them include it. The service is called Chase Virtual Account Numbers (or sometimes listed as a cardholder benefit). You access it through the Chase mobile app or online banking portal, not by calling the bank.
Key Takeaways
- Chase virtual numbers are temporary card numbers you generate yourself through the Chase app or website for online shopping.
- Each virtual number is tied to your real Chase credit card account and draws from your real credit limit.
- You can set a virtual number to work for one transaction only, or to work repeatedly at the same merchant.
- Not all Chase credit cards offer this feature — check your card's benefits list or log into your account to see if it is available.
- A virtual number protects your real card number from being exposed if a website is breached, but does not protect you from your own mistakes, like entering it on a fraudulent site.
Which Chase cards have virtual account numbers
Chase does not publish a single list of which cards include virtual numbers, and the feature is not available on every card. The most reliable way to find out is to log into your Chase account online or open the Chase mobile app, then look for a section called "Virtual Account Numbers," "Virtual Cards," or "Card Services." If you see that option, your card supports it.
Generally, Chase's premium cards and many of its everyday cards offer this feature, but entry-level cards sometimes do not. If you do not see the option in your app or online portal, your card does not have it. You cannot add it to a card that does not include it as a benefit.
If your current Chase card does not offer virtual numbers and you want the feature, you would need to look at other Chase cards that do. However, opening a new card just for this feature is usually not worth it — most merchants accept regular card numbers safely, and the fraud protection on your actual card is already quite strong.
How to generate a virtual number through Chase
Open the Chase mobile app or log into Chase.com on your computer. Look for a section labeled "Virtual Account Numbers," "Virtual Cards," or sometimes "Card Services" or "More" — the exact location varies depending on which app version you have.
Tap or click to create a new virtual number. Chase will ask you to choose whether this number should work for a single transaction or for multiple transactions at the same merchant. If you are shopping at a store you trust and plan to buy from again, choose "multiple transactions." If you are trying a new site for the first time, choose "single transaction" for more protection.
You can also set a spending limit on the virtual number if you want — for example, you might set a limit of $50 even though your real card limit is much higher. Chase will generate the number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code). Copy these details and use them at checkout just as you would your real card number.
After you complete your purchase, the virtual number stays active if you set it for multiple transactions, or it expires if you set it for single use. You can see all your active virtual numbers in the same section of your app or online account, and you can deactivate any of them at any time.
What happens when a merchant charges your virtual number
When you use a virtual number at checkout, the charge goes to your real Chase credit card account. The merchant does not know it is a virtual number — from their perspective, it is just a card number. The charge appears on your statement under your real card, and it counts toward your real credit limit.
If the merchant needs to issue a refund, they refund to the virtual number, and the credit flows back to your real card account. You do not have to do anything special — the refund process works the same way it would with your real card number.
If you set the virtual number to work for multiple transactions at one merchant, that merchant can charge it repeatedly — for example, if you set up a subscription or a recurring payment. The charges still appear on your real card statement. If you want to stop the merchant from charging, you can deactivate the virtual number in your Chase app, which will decline any future charges.
Virtual numbers versus other fraud protection methods
Chase also offers purchase protection and fraud monitoring on your actual card, which are different from virtual numbers. Purchase protection covers you if an item you bought does not arrive or does not match the description. Fraud monitoring watches for suspicious activity and alerts you if something looks wrong.
A virtual number is a prevention tool — it stops your real card number from being exposed in the first place. The other protections are safety nets that catch problems after they happen. Using a virtual number does not replace those other protections; it works alongside them.
Virtual numbers are most useful when you are shopping at a new website, buying from a marketplace with many sellers, or trying a service you are not sure about. For everyday shopping at major retailers you know well, the fraud protection on your regular card is usually enough. Virtual numbers add an extra layer if you want it, but they are not necessary for safe online shopping.
Limits and things that do not work with virtual numbers
Some merchants cannot process virtual numbers. Airlines, hotels, and car rental companies sometimes reject them because they want to verify your identity in person or need your real card for a hold. Gas stations and some subscription services also have trouble with virtual numbers. If a virtual number is declined, you will need to use your real card number instead.
Virtual numbers are only for online purchases. You cannot use them at a physical store, at an ATM, or over the phone. They are also not available for international transactions on some cards — check your card's terms if you are shopping from a non-US website.
A virtual number protects your card number from being stolen by a hacked website, but it does not protect you if you enter it on a fake website by mistake, or if you are tricked into giving it to a scammer. The protection only works if you use the number on a legitimate merchant's real website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a virtual number more than once at different stores?
No. Each virtual number is tied to one merchant only, even if you set it for multiple transactions. If you want to shop at a different store, you generate a new virtual number. This is by design — it keeps each merchant's access limited to their own transactions.
What if I lose track of which virtual number I used where?
Your Chase app shows all active virtual numbers and which merchant each one is linked to. You can also see the charges on your statement — they will show the merchant name, just like a regular card charge would. If you need to cancel a subscription or recurring charge, find the virtual number in your app and deactivate it.
Do virtual numbers affect my credit score?
No. Virtual numbers are just temporary card numbers linked to your real account. They do not create a new account, do not show up separately on your credit report, and do not change how credit bureaus see your activity. Your credit score is based on your real card account only.
Can I set a virtual number to expire on a specific date?
Chase does not let you choose an expiration date. Single-transaction virtual numbers expire after one use. Multi-transaction numbers stay active until you manually deactivate them in your app. If you want a number to stop working on a certain date, you have to remember to deactivate it yourself.
What if a merchant charges my virtual number after I deactivated it?
The charge will be declined. If a merchant tries to charge a deactivated virtual number, the transaction fails just as it would if you had reported your real card stolen. If this happens, contact Chase to report it, and they will investigate like any other disputed charge.