What are virtual credit card numbers and how do they work?

Virtual card numbers are unique numbers from your credit card issuer that are linked to your credit card account. They allow you to shop online without giving stores your actual card number, adding an extra layer of security to your purchases to help protect your credit card from potential fraud.

Thanks to virtual card numbers, you can shop online faster and without needing your physical card. Learn more about how virtual card numbers work and how they can help keep your account information more secure.

What you’ll learn:

• Virtual card numbers can help keep your credit account more secure when you’re shopping online. 

• Depending on the card issuer, virtual cards may be for a single use or temporary period, or they may be used at multiple merchants.

• Capital One cardholders can access virtual cards from the Capital One mobile app, check out with autofill using virtual cards on Chrome or use Eno to create virtual cards for specific stores.

• Digital wallets are similar in that they allow you to pay for purchases without using physical cards, searching for cash or exposing your actual card number.

You can think of a virtual card number as a substitute for your actual credit card number. When you’re shopping online, you can use virtual card numbers instead of your actual credit card number. That way, the numbers on your physical credit card aren’t shared with the websites you’re shopping on—adding an extra layer of security and protecting you from potential fraud. 

You can use a virtual card just like you use your actual credit card—just shop online, start the checkout process and use a virtual card to complete your purchase. Charges will show up in your monthly account statements just like they usually do for purchases made using your actual credit card. 

Yes, there are two different types of virtual cards:

Virtual Cards for use anywhere online

You can get a virtual card number that can be used with most merchants online. This type of virtual card number is the same for every transaction. You can get and manage your virtual card through the Capital One Mobile app or website.

Virtual cards for a specific store

If eligible, you can also create virtual card numbers good for use at one store only, giving you even more security and control. You can get a store-specific virtual card through the Capital One Mobile app or website, your Google account on Chrome, or the Eno Browser extension. You can have multiple store-specific virtual cards at the same time.

If your account is eligible for a virtual card, you can get one in your online or mobile account by following the steps below.

After signing into your Capital One account, simply tap the Get Your Virtual Card button that appears beneath your credit card balance. You can use this virtual card anywhere, or you can create virtual cards for specific stores when you select “Create for a specific store.” Another way to use a virtual card is with Google Pay by shopping online using Google Chrome or in Android apps. Select the virtual card option within the drop-down menu when using autofill during checkout. Finally, you can also get a virtual card from the Eno browser extension. All you have to do is sign in using your Capital One account credentials and enroll with an eligible credit card.

Simply put, virtual cards can make online shopping easier and more secure. Here are some of the benefits of using virtual cards:

• Convenience: Shop online with virtual cards even when you don’t have your physical card handy. You can access them online and on the Capital One Mobile App. As a new credit card customer, you may be able to start spending and earning rewards with your virtual card as soon as you’re approved without having to wait for your physical card to arrive in the mail. If you’re using virtual cards with Google Pay on Chrome or the Eno browser extension, you can have your virtual card numbers automatically filled in at checkout. Plus, your virtual cards will continue to work even if you need to replace your physical card and your actual card number changes. 

• Security: Virtual cards add an extra layer of protection because they allow you to make purchases online without sharing your actual credit card number with merchants and protecting your personal information from being subject to potential fraud. 

• Control: For added control over your online shopping experience, you can lock or unlock your virtual cards at any time without affecting your ability to make other purchases with your actual card number. Virtual cards that you create with the Eno extension can also be set with a custom expiration date.

While virtual cards provide an extra layer of security and allow you to lock your card after use, they may not be ideal if you are required to show or swipe your card to verify your identity since your virtual card number does not match the number on your physical card.

This could apply to situations involving will-call tickets or hotel reservations. There might be similar issues with in-store returns, too. If one of these situations applies to your purchase, it may help to reach out to the store before buying.

Although virtual cards and digital wallets are similar, they aren’t the same thing. A digital wallet is an application that can store your payment methods in one place. Think of it like your physical wallet but in digital form. You can use digital wallets to make purchases online or to tap your device to pay in stores. 

Virtual card numbers are unique numbers that are different from your physical card number but are still linked to your credit card account. They’re primarily for online use—to make online shopping safer and more convenient.

Virtual cards add an extra layer of protection because they let you make purchases online without sharing your actual credit card number with merchants. You may also be able to create virtual cards for specific stores. When you create a unique virtual card for a store, you can shop with added peace of mind because if the store’s payment data gets compromised, your unique virtual card can’t be used anywhere else.

With virtual credit cards, you can feel safer shopping online without exposing your actual credit card number—all with added convenience and flexibility. All charges made with a virtual card will show up on your credit card account statements as they normally would. Plus, you’ll continue to earn the same rewards or cash back when using a virtual card linked to your rewards or cash back credit card account.

For easy access to virtual cards from Capital One, download the Capital One Mobile app today.