Virtual Credit Cards: A Guide
28721
Finance
Jun 19, 2007
peter1402
Virtual Credit Cards: A Guide
If you are someone who enjoys shopping online but are concerned about the safety of your credit card details, then you should consider getting a virtual credit card. This new type of card is designed specifically for making purchases online, and aims to keep your credit card details safe. If you want to know more about virtual credit cards, then here are some tips about their relative benefits and drawbacks. What are virtual credit cards? Virtual credit cards are similar to real credit cards in that they you use the card to make purchases. However, they differ from normal credit cards by being simply usable online and disposable. With a virtual credit card, you use a number only once, which expires within one or two months. Each time you shop online you are given a different number to use. Who offers virtual cards? Most major credit card issuers will offer virtual cards. They work like other prepaid cards, and the limit is set by how much money you put on the card. In this way it works similar to a gift voucher or other online payment tool. Names for the cards differ, with MasterCard calling them MasterCard Gift Cards and Visa calling them Virtual Visa Gift Cards. Not worth it for hackers The biggest advantage of these virtual cards is that obtaining the details of the card are not worth their time, because the number can only be used for one specific purchase and the number expires very quickly. This makes virtual credit cards much more secure than normal cards, and deters hackers from trying to steal your number. In the unlikely event that your number is stolen, you are covered for unauthorised purchases just as you would be with a normal credit card. Convenience Obviously, another advantage is that these cards are convenient to use, because everything is stored online. There is no need to run around looking for your card number to input the details. All you need to do is click the mouse a few times and you will have completed your purchase. Limited use Although these cards are very secure and convenient, they are of very limited use. Although they are not meant for offline use, there are also online services that they cannot be used for. Booking concert or airline tickets is of no use, as is pre-ordering items such as CDs or books. This is because you need to have a physical card to carry out some of these tasks, or a card number that does not expire quickly. Although some virtual card issuers do offer longer expiry dates, the cards are still very limited in their scope. Are they worth it? Although virtual credit cards are limited in their scope, if you regularly purchase items online then they are a more secure way of shopping. If you do not want to risk your regular card online, then get a virtual card for safer online shopping.
Peter Kenny is a writer for The Thrifty Scot, please visit us at 0% credit cards and Reclaim Bank Charges
send email to peter1402
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
A brief discussion of some of the tax deductions that student loan borrowers may be eligible for, and the criteria required.
Category:
One of the very best reasons for purchasing long-term care insurance is that it helps to protect the savings of the person
Category:
There are many types of insurance available. Home owner's insurance, automobile insurance, life insurance, to name just three
Category:
The better way to handle high ticket items is to begin saving for the down payment well in advance of needing it
Category:
A brief true or false quiz to reveal how much you know about your credit score.
Category:
Electronic banking also known as online banking is a great way to do your banking business
Category:
Home owner's insurance can mean different things to different people depending on the type of policy that is in effect
Category:
A discussion of what credit inquiries are and how they affect your credit rating.
Category:
Gold and platinum cards used to be something of a major status symbol, and those without one were often seen as less successful
Category:
A brief explaination of deferment and forebearance, two options available to student's with loans when faced with financial difficulties.
Category:
For the most part, credit card applications are fairly identical in what they want to know about you and your finances
Category:
If you have a business, then it is important to get the right level of insurance to protect your business interests
Category:
A brief discussion of the factors that make up a FICO credit score
Category:
A brief discussion of the categories of student loans, both federal and private.
Category:
A discussion of how to have an inexpensive night on the town in Carson City, Nevada
Category:
Credit card identity theft is on the rise, and if you are not careful you could become a victim
Category:
During the last several years the subject of flood insurance has become somewhat controversial
Category:
A brief discussion of what APR is and the various methods used by credit card issuers to calculate it.
Category:
Credit counseling can be very helpful for some consumers who find themselves in debt trouble
Category:
there is no reason why you should have to pay an annual fee for a normal credit card
Category:
Other links at Finance
How to get the best car loan and rates possible for your credit. Also easy steps you can take to quickly repair your credit so you can get an even better deal.
Category:
How many ways of improving self esteem are there? It plays an important role in everything we do. Having good self esteem makes one enjoy life to the fullest despite his social standing in life. In fact, some of the most prominent figures in society have
Category:
For a variety of reasons, from conservation to price, it's more important than ever to think about your car's fuel consumption.
Category:
Whether you see a glass as half-empty or half-full can affect the way you treat yourself.
Category:
How would you like to get out of debt by saving money? this article is going to give you some great pointers on how to go about that.
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68309
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
