I need a virtual credit card to buy stuff online
Executive summary
Virtual credit cards let consumers generate a substitute 16‑digit number, CVV and expiry date for online or phone purchases so the real card number isn’t exposed, and many major issuers and third‑party services now offer them to reduce fraud and control spending [1] [2]. Options range from issuer‑provided single‑merchant or merchant‑specific virtual numbers (Capital One, Citi, Amex/Click to Pay) to independent masking services like Privacy.com, each with tradeoffs around rewards, device compatibility and in‑person use [1] [3] [4].
1. What a virtual credit card actually is and why it helps
A virtual card is a computer‑generated card number, CVV and expiration date that links back to a real credit or debit account but hides the underlying account details during checkout, reducing exposure if a merchant is breached or a site is compromised [5] [1]. Issuers and networks position these numbers as a layer of protection for “card‑not‑present” transactions and for managing vendor subscriptions or one‑time purchases where limiting future charges matters [6] [7].
2. Where to get one: banks, networks and third‑party services
Many major card issuers let existing account holders create virtual numbers—Capital One uses “virtual card” tools often via its Eno assistant, Citi and other banks similarly issue one‑time or merchant‑specific numbers, and Visa/Mastercard networks support Click to Pay digital wallet integrations that generate virtual credentials at participating merchants [8] [9] [6]. Independent services such as Privacy.com create virtual “Privacy Cards” that mask debit or credit information and offer per‑vendor limits and pause/close controls, useful for people who want separation from their primary card issuer [4].
3. Practical limits and gotchas to know before using one
Virtual card numbers are primarily for online and phone transactions and generally can’t be used in person (for hotels or restaurants) where the physical card is required, which means recurring billing that requires merchant card present workflows may fail or require updating [7]. Some issuer implementations are browser‑ or platform‑dependent—American Express virtual numbers may only be available via Google Chrome or Android in certain scenarios—so device and browser compatibility must be checked [10]. Rewards or merchant category coding may behave differently with virtual numbers for some cards, so users should verify whether a virtual number preserves bonus categories for the issuer in question [10].
4. How to choose the right kind of virtual card for a purchase
If the priority is seamless rewards and full integration with an existing credit product, generate virtual numbers through the card issuer (Capital One, Citi, Amex) so transactions remain tied to the card’s benefits and protections [1] [3]. If the priority is vendor‑specific controls, subscription management or stronger privacy separation, a third‑party service like Privacy.com offers per‑vendor limits, pause/close features and masking that are convenient for recurring charges and untrusted sites [4]. For business spending and multi‑user expense control, many providers and virtual business cards offer merchant‑specific cards and admin controls geared to corporate workflows [11].
5. Quick step‑by‑step to get one today
Check whether an existing credit card account offers virtual numbers—log into the issuer portal or mobile app and look for “virtual card,” “eno,” or “Click to Pay” options; Capital One, Citi and Amex have documented flows to issue virtual numbers to accountholders [8] [1] [3]. Alternatively, sign up for a reputable masking service such as Privacy.com to create vendor‑specific virtual cards, set dollar limits and pause or close cards if needed [4]. Before checkout, confirm the merchant accepts the network (Visa/Mastercard/Amex) of the virtual number and update any subscriptions you want the virtual card to handle.
6. Weighing security vs convenience — final considerations
Virtual cards reduce the blast radius of merchant breaches and make subscription control easier, but do not eliminate fraud risk entirely and can complicate certain legitimate merchant interactions or reward earnings; device and issuer constraints also matter, so match the tool to the purchase scenario and check issuer FAQs or service terms before relying on a single solution [5] [10] [7]. If sources or specific product terms aren’t covered here, consult the issuer or service directly for up‑to‑date enrollment and compatibility details because implementations vary across providers [6] [4].