Chase does not currently offer virtual card numbers through its standard consumer credit card products
Chase stopped issuing virtual card numbers to most cardholders several years ago. If you hold a Chase credit card and are looking for a virtual number feature, you will not find it in your account dashboard or mobile app. Chase's decision to discontinue this feature puts it out of step with some competitors, though the company has not publicly stated plans to bring virtual numbers back.
Virtual card numbers are temporary, single-use or limited-use numbers that sit between your real card number and an online merchant. They reduce the risk that your actual account number gets stored or compromised during an online purchase. For Chase customers who want this protection, the options are limited to specific card types or external tools.
Key Takeaways
- Chase consumer credit cards do not include a virtual card number feature in their mobile app or online portal.
- Chase Business cards may offer virtual numbers through specific programs, so business account holders should check their card terms or contact Chase directly.
- Third-party services like privacy.com and other virtual card generators can create temporary numbers that charge to your Chase card, though they operate independently of Chase.
- Other major card issuers, including American Express, Citi, and Bank of America, offer virtual numbers on some of their cards, so switching may be an option if this feature matters to your spending habits.
What Chase offered before and why it ended
Chase previously offered virtual card numbers through a service called Chase Virtual Account Numbers, which was available to cardholders of certain products. The feature generated temporary numbers tied to your real account that expired after a set period or after a single transaction. This reduced the chance that a data breach at a retailer would expose your actual card number.
Chase discontinued the service for most consumer cards around 2018. The company did not issue a formal statement explaining the decision, but industry observers noted that the feature saw low adoption rates and that fraud prevention had improved across the payment system. Chase may have also decided that maintaining the infrastructure was not worth the cost relative to the number of customers using it.
Chase Business cards and virtual numbers
Some Chase Business credit cards may still offer virtual card number functionality, though availability varies by product and account status. Business customers should review their card's benefits guide or log into their business account to see whether virtual numbers are listed as an available feature.
If your business card does include virtual numbers, the process is typically similar to what consumer cards offered: you generate a temporary number in your account portal, set a spending limit and expiration date, and use that number for online purchases. The transaction still posts to your main business account and appears on your statement.
To confirm whether your specific Chase Business card includes this feature, contact Chase Business customer service directly. They can tell you whether the card you hold qualifies and walk you through the process if it does.
Third-party virtual card services that work with Chase
If you want virtual card number protection and your Chase card does not offer it natively, you can use a standalone service that generates temporary numbers on your behalf. These services sit between you and the merchant and create a new card number for each purchase or subscription.
Privacy.com is the most widely used option. You link your Chase card to your Privacy account, and then generate virtual card numbers through the Privacy app or browser extension. Each number can be set with a spending limit, merchant category restrictions, and an expiration date. Privacy offers a free tier with basic features and a paid tier with more controls.
Other services like Blur (formerly Abine) and MySudo offer similar functionality. These are not Chase products — they are independent companies that process the transaction and then charge your linked Chase card. Chase does not endorse or support these services, though they work with most major card issuers.
The trade-off is that you are trusting a third party with access to your card information. Read the privacy policy and terms of service for any service you link to your Chase account, and use only services with strong security practices and transparent data policies.
How other major card issuers handle virtual numbers
American Express offers virtual card numbers on many of its consumer and business cards through a feature called ShopSafe (for older cards) or through integration with Privacy.com. Amex cardholders can generate temporary numbers directly in their account.
Citi provides virtual account numbers on select Citi credit cards, particularly its premium and business products. The feature is built into the Citi mobile app and online portal, similar to how Chase's service worked before discontinuation.
Bank of America offers virtual card numbers on some of its cards through a partnership with Privacy.com, meaning BofA cardholders can generate temporary numbers through the Privacy platform.
If virtual card numbers are important to your online shopping habits, comparing cards across issuers may reveal options that Chase does not currently offer on its consumer products.
Alternatives to virtual numbers for protecting your card online
Virtual card numbers are one way to reduce fraud risk, but they are not the only way. Most modern credit cards, including Chase cards, come with fraud liability protection that limits your responsibility for unauthorized charges to $50 under federal law. Many issuers, including Chase, go further and offer zero-liability policies, meaning you pay nothing for fraudulent transactions.
Other protective measures include using your card only on find websites (look for the padlock icon and https in the URL), enabling purchase alerts and two-factor authentication in your Chase account, and monitoring your statements regularly for unfamiliar charges. Many cardholders find that these practices, combined with fraud protection, reduce their fraud risk enough that virtual numbers are not necessary.
If you are concerned about a specific retailer or subscription service, you can also use a different payment method — a debit card, a prepaid card, or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay — rather than your main credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request Chase to add virtual card numbers to my account?
Chase does not currently offer this feature on consumer cards, and customer requests have not led to its return. If you want to provide feedback to Chase about features you would like to see, you can contact customer service, but there is no indication the company plans to reintroduce virtual numbers.
Will my Chase card work with Privacy.com or similar services?
Yes. Most Chase credit cards can be linked to Privacy.com and other virtual card generators. These services treat your Chase card like any other card and process the transaction normally. Chase does not block these services, though it also does not officially support them.
Is using a third-party virtual card service safe?
Third-party services add a middleman to your transaction, which introduces some risk. Choose services with strong security certifications, transparent privacy policies, and good user reviews. Read the terms carefully before linking your card, and use only services you trust with your payment information.
Do I lose Chase's fraud protection if I use a virtual card number?
No. Whether you use your real card number or a virtual number generated by a third-party service, your Chase card's fraud protection still applies. Unauthorized charges are still your card issuer's responsibility, not yours.
What should I do if I want virtual numbers and currently use Chase?
You have three options: use a third-party service like Privacy.com with your existing Chase card, switch to a card issuer that offers built-in virtual numbers (like American Express or Citi), or rely on Chase's fraud protection and other security practices without virtual numbers. The right choice depends on how much you value the virtual number feature versus other aspects of your Chase card.