What a virtual credit card is and how it works
A virtual credit card is a temporary card number linked to your real credit card account. Instead of using your actual 16-digit card number online, you generate a unique number that works only for a single purchase or merchant, or for a set time period. The charge still goes to your real card and your real bank account — the virtual number is just a shield between your actual card details and the website you're buying from.
When you use a virtual card number, the merchant never sees your real card number. If that merchant's database gets hacked or sells your information, the stolen number is useless because it either expires after one use or is locked to that one store. Your actual card stays safe, and you don't have to worry about that particular vendor.
Virtual cards come from your credit card issuer — the bank that issued your physical card — or from third-party apps that work with your card. Some banks build the feature into their mobile app or online portal. Others require you to read a separate app or use a browser extension. Either way, the virtual number is always tied to your real account and your real credit limit.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual card numbers are generated by your bank or a third-party app and mask your real card number for online purchases.
- Each virtual number can be set to work for one merchant only, one transaction only, or for a specific time period before it expires.
- You generate a new virtual number through your bank's app, your card issuer's website, or a third-party service like Privacy or Masked.
- Virtual cards work anywhere your real card works online, but some subscription services and recurring charges may not accept them.
- If a virtual number is compromised, you can delete it when ready without affecting your real card or other virtual numbers you've created.
How to generate a virtual card number from your bank
Start by logging into your credit card issuer's mobile app or website. Look for a section labeled "Virtual Card," "Card Controls," "Card Management," or "Digital Wallet." The exact name varies by bank — Chase calls it "Virtual Account Numbers," while American Express uses "ShopSafe" (though this is being phased out). If you don't see the option in the main menu, check under "Settings" or "Security."
Once you find the virtual card feature, select the option to create a new number. You'll be asked to choose how you want to limit the number: by merchant (so it only works at Amazon, for example), by amount (so it can only charge up to $50), by time (so it expires in 30 days), or by transaction (one purchase and it's done). Choose the restriction that matches what you're buying. For a one-time purchase from an unfamiliar site, set it to one transaction. For a subscription you're testing, set it to expire in 90 days.
The app or website will generate your virtual number, expiration date, and CVV code. Copy these details and paste them into the checkout form just as you would your real card. The purchase processes normally, and the charge appears on your real card statement under your real card's last four digits.
Using third-party virtual card apps
If your bank doesn't offer virtual cards, or if you want more control over how numbers are generated, you can use a standalone app. Privacy, Masked, and Blur are the most common options. These apps connect to your real credit card and generate virtual numbers on demand. Some are free; others charge a monthly subscription ($5 to $10 per month is typical).
To set up a third-party app, read it from your phone's app store, create an account, and link your real credit card. The app will ask for your card number, expiration date, and CVV — the same information you'd enter on any website. Once linked, you can generate a new virtual number in seconds. Most apps let you name each number (like "Amazon" or "Hotel booking") so you remember which merchant it's for.
Third-party apps often offer more features than bank-issued virtual cards. You can pause a number temporarily, set spending limits per transaction, see which merchants have tried to charge the number, and get alerts if an attempt fails. Some apps also let you create a virtual card number for in-person use at physical stores, though this is less common.
When virtual cards work and when they don't
Virtual card numbers work for most online purchases: retail sites, restaurants, hotels, airlines, and one-time transactions. They also work for recurring charges like subscriptions and monthly services — but only if the merchant doesn't require you to update your card information frequently. Some subscription services ask you to re-enter your card details every few months for security reasons, and a virtual number that has expired will fail that update.
Virtual cards do not work for certain transactions. Rental car companies and hotels often place a hold on your card to cover potential damage, and they may reject a virtual number because they can't verify it's tied to a real account. Gas stations and some ATMs may also decline virtual numbers. If you're using a virtual card for a subscription and the number expires, the service will stop charging you — which is useful if you want to cancel without contacting the company, but risky if you forget you set an expiration date.
Some merchants flag virtual numbers as suspicious because they're not tied to a billing address the way a physical card is. If a virtual number is declined, you can either use your real card number instead or contact the merchant's customer service to ask why the number was rejected.
Managing and deleting virtual card numbers
Once you've created a virtual number, you can see it in your bank's app or the third-party app's dashboard. Most apps show you which merchant the number is linked to, when it was created, when it expires, and how much has been charged to it. You can also see failed attempts — if someone tries to use a stolen virtual number and it's declined, the app will log that attempt.
To delete a virtual number, open the app, find the number in your list, and select "Delete" or "Deactivate." The number becomes useless when ready. Any future charge attempts will be declined. This is useful if you think a number has been compromised, or if you want to stop a subscription without contacting the company. Deleting a virtual number does not affect your real card or any other virtual numbers you've created.
If you lose track of which virtual number goes with which merchant, most apps let you add notes or labels. Before you delete a number, check your list of active subscriptions to make sure you're not canceling a service you still want to use.
Virtual cards and fraud protection
Virtual card numbers give you an extra layer of protection, but they don't replace your credit card's built-in fraud protection. If someone uses your virtual number without permission, your credit card company's fraud protection still applies — you can dispute the charge and get your money back, just as you would with your real card number.
The advantage of a virtual number is that it limits the damage if a merchant's database is breached. A hacker who steals your virtual number can only use it at that one merchant, or for that one transaction, or until it expires — whichever comes first. They can't use it anywhere else. Your real card number stays hidden, so other merchants and services you use are unaffected.
Virtual cards are not a substitute for checking your statements. Review your credit card bill regularly to catch unauthorized charges, whether they were made with your real number or a virtual one. If you see a charge you don't recognize, report it to your card issuer right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do virtual card numbers affect my credit score?
No. Virtual numbers are tied to your real card account, so charges made with a virtual number appear on your real card statement and count toward your credit utilization and payment history the same way. Your credit score is based on your real card's activity, not on how many virtual numbers you've created.
Can I use a virtual card number at a physical store?
Most virtual cards are for online use only. Some third-party apps offer virtual card numbers that work with Apple Pay or Google Pay, which you can then use at physical stores, but this is less common. Check your app's features to see if in-person virtual cards are supported.
What happens if I delete a virtual number by mistake?
If you delete a virtual number that's linked to an active subscription, that subscription will stop charging you. The merchant will see the charge as declined and may send you a notice that your payment method failed. You can create a new virtual number and update your subscription, or contact the merchant to provide a different payment method.
Are virtual cards the same as prepaid cards?
No. A prepaid card is a separate account with its own balance that you load money into. A virtual card number is a temporary number linked to your existing credit card account. Virtual cards draw from your real card's credit limit, while prepaid cards draw from money you've already deposited.
Can I use a virtual card number to pay bills by mail?
No. Virtual card numbers are for online transactions only. If you need to pay a bill by mail, you'll need to use your real card number or a check.