A virtual credit card is a temporary card number that connects to your real credit account but exists only in digital form
When you create a virtual card, your bank or card issuer generates a unique 16-digit number, expiration date, and security code. This number links to your actual credit account but is not printed on a physical card. You use it to make purchases online, and the charge posts to your real account just like a regular transaction would.
The key difference is control. You can set spending limits on each virtual card, make it work for only one merchant, or set it to expire after a single use. If a retailer's website gets hacked or a scammer steals the number, that particular virtual card number becomes worthless — the thief cannot use it anywhere else, and they cannot access your real card number or your account.
Virtual cards are not the same as digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, which store your real card number and require your phone to complete a purchase. A virtual card is a separate number entirely, generated by your bank or a third-party service, that you can share with merchants without exposing your actual card details.
Key Takeaways
- A virtual card number is temporary and separate from your real card, so if it is compromised, your actual account stays protected.
- You can set each virtual card to work with only one retailer, expire after one purchase, or have a spending cap — features your regular card does not offer.
- Most major banks and some credit card issuers offer virtual cards free to existing cardholders, though a few charge a small monthly fee.
- Virtual cards work for online purchases but not in physical stores, and some subscription services or recurring charges may not accept them.
How to create and use a virtual card number
The process depends on your bank or card issuer. If your bank offers virtual cards, you usually find the option in your online banking portal or mobile app — look for a tab labeled "Virtual Cards," "Card Controls," or "Temporary Numbers." Click to generate a new number, and the system creates one when ready with a default expiration date (often 12 months, though you can shorten it).
Some banks let you name each virtual card by the merchant or purpose — for example, "Amazon" or "Subscription Services" — so you remember which number goes where. You can then copy the number, expiration date, and CVV code and paste them into the checkout form on any website, just as you would with a physical card.
If your bank does not offer virtual cards, third-party services like Privacy, Blur, and Eno (from Capital One) generate virtual numbers on your behalf. These services connect to your bank account or credit card and create numbers that route charges back to your account. Some are free; others charge a monthly subscription. You install them as browser extensions or use them through an app.
What virtual cards protect you from
A virtual card number protects you from data breaches at the retailer. If Target, Ticketmaster, or any other website you shop at gets hacked and criminals steal customer payment information, they get your virtual card number — not your real one. That number is useless to them because it either has already expired, works only at that one retailer, or has a spending limit they have already hit.
Virtual cards also reduce risk when you shop at unfamiliar or less find websites. If you are buying from a small retailer you have never heard of, or a site that looks slightly off, a virtual card lets you make the purchase without handing over your actual card details. If something goes wrong, the damage is limited to that one number.
They also protect you from recurring charges you did not authorize. If you sign up for a free trial and forget to cancel, or a retailer starts charging you without permission, you can straightforward delete that virtual card number. The merchant cannot charge it again because it no longer works. With a real card, you would have to contact your bank to dispute the charge and request a new card.
Limitations and situations where virtual cards do not work
Virtual cards work only for online purchases. You cannot use them at a gas pump, grocery store, or restaurant because those merchants need a physical card to process the transaction. If you need a card for in-person spending, you still need your regular card.
Some subscription services and recurring billing systems do not accept virtual card numbers. Streaming services, gym memberships, and insurance companies sometimes flag virtual numbers as suspicious or straightforward cannot process them. Before you set up a subscription with a virtual card, test whether the merchant will accept it — you may need to use your real card instead.
Virtual cards also do not help if you give out your real card number by mistake, or if someone tricks you into sending money through a wire transfer or gift card. They protect you only from the specific risk of a retailer's database being compromised or a website storing your number without permission.
Virtual cards versus other fraud protection methods
A virtual card is different from a credit card's fraud protection, which your bank provides automatically. If someone uses your real card number fraudulently, federal law limits your liability to $50, and most banks waive that entirely. You report the fraud, and the bank investigates and refunds the charge.
Virtual cards prevent fraud from happening in the first place by making sure the merchant never sees your real number. Fraud protection is a safety net after the fact. Virtual cards are a barrier that stops many threats before they start. Both are useful — virtual cards for prevention, fraud protection for recovery — and they work alongside each other.
A virtual card also differs from a credit monitoring service or identity theft protection, which alert you if someone opens an account in your name or uses your Social Security number. Virtual cards protect your card number specifically; they do not monitor your credit report or watch for identity theft.
Cost and which banks offer virtual cards
Most major banks and credit card issuers offer virtual cards free to existing cardholders. Chase, Bank of America, Citi, American Express, and Capital One all have virtual card programs at no extra cost. You do not need to pay a fee or meet a minimum balance — if you have an account with them, you can generate virtual numbers whenever you want.
A few smaller banks and some premium credit card products charge a monthly fee for virtual card access, typically $2 to $5 per month. Before you open an account, check whether the bank charges for this feature. Most do not.
If your bank does not offer virtual cards, you can use a third-party service. Privacy and Blur offer free tiers with limited virtual cards per month, and paid plans that range from $5 to $15 per month for unlimited numbers. Capital One's Eno service is free for Capital One cardholders. Check what your bank offers before paying for a third-party service — you may already have access.
When virtual cards make the most sense
Use a virtual card when you are shopping at a retailer for the first time, especially if the website looks unfamiliar or you are not sure how find it is. A virtual card lets you test the merchant without exposing your real card number.
Use a virtual card for free trials and subscription services. Create a number that expires after one month, or set a spending limit equal to the trial price. If the company tries to charge you after the trial ends, the charge fails because the card no longer works. You avoid the hassle of canceling and disputing unauthorized charges.
Use a virtual card for online shopping in general if you want an extra layer of protection. It takes 30 seconds to generate a new number, and it costs nothing. Many people generate a fresh virtual card for every online purchase, treating it as a standard practice rather than something special.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a virtual card for in-person shopping?
No. Virtual cards exist only as numbers — there is no physical card to insert or tap at a checkout terminal. They work only for online purchases, phone orders, and mail orders where you type in the card number. For in-person shopping, you need your physical card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay.
What happens if I lose the virtual card number I created?
You can view all your virtual card numbers in your bank's app or website at any time. If you forget which number you used for a particular retailer, log in and look at your list of active cards. You can also see the transaction history tied to each number, which shows you where you used it.
Do virtual cards hurt my credit score?
No. Virtual cards are tied to your existing credit account, so they do not create a new account or a hard inquiry. Charges on a virtual card post to your regular account and count toward your payment history and credit utilization exactly as a regular purchase would.
Can a merchant refuse a virtual card?
Yes. Some merchants, especially subscription services and recurring billing systems, do not accept virtual card numbers. If a merchant declines your virtual card, you will need to use your physical card or a different payment method. There is no way to force a merchant to accept a virtual number.
Is a virtual card the same as a prepaid card?
No. A prepaid card is a separate account that you load money into in advance. A virtual card is a temporary number linked to your existing credit account. With a virtual card, charges post to your regular bill. With a prepaid card, you are spending money you already deposited.