I'm making this post to gather and share more information on virtual credit cards, because googling for this has been a huge challenge due to all the results geared toward virtual wallets and mobile wallets, like Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, etc.

I'm specifically interested in creating full virtual credit card numbers for my accounts. When I say "virtual credit card", I mean an actual card number, expiration date, and security code, that can be used anywhere online just like the credit card it's tied to, not just on websites with a "Pay with Apple Pay!" button. The main reason for this is not having to deal with replacing a card if the information gets stolen. You just log into the bank/service that issued the virtual card and cancel it. Your original card is 100% unaffected. Putting it in computer terms, a virtual card for your real card is like a proxy or VPN for your internet.

Here's the information I've found so far: (Updating as I find more and as information is posted in this thread)

• Google Pay does not let you create virtual card numbers. It does create virtual card numbers internally, which are used when you use tap to pay or pay online through Google pay, but you can't take that virtual card number out to use it on a website like a real credit card

• It doesn't look like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay allow you to create virtual credit cards either, but I haven't verified this.

• No virtual card numbers: Bank of America, Fidelity

• Virtual card numbers only on corporate cards (not business cards; corporate only): Chase, American Express

• Capital One does let you create virtual card numbers but the system for doing it sounds annoying - you have to go through their AI assistant and use a browser extension.

• PayPal Key is a virtual card that represents your PayPal wallet. PPK gives you a virtual credit card number, expiration date, and security code (which can be updated at any time) and can be used with any credit card or bank account in your PayPal wallet. This is probably the most versatile since it can be used with any credit or debit card. Not sure if you can only get one virtual account number or if you can get a new number (ie for new merchants). Also it's a new service so it isn't fully available yet as of October 2021, only a portion of PayPal users have access so far.

• Citi is the most accessible for virtual credit cards at the moment. You get a virtual credit card number, an expiration date, and a security code. To get a virtual card number with Citi, you just log into your account, click the card you want a virtual card for, click "Virtual Account Number" and follow the steps. You can set the expiration date and daily spend limit. It looks like you can create multiple card numbers as well, if you want to have eg one per merchant (not sure how many you're limited to). Very nice system, bravo to Citi on this.

Does anyone know of other banks or services that issue actual virtual card numbers (ie not just a mobile wallet that only works on websites that support that mobile wallet)? Or any corrections to the information above?

Ready to set up FreedomPop for an extra low use phone and want to protect against unwanted charges. Not worried by the $.01 a month stuff just want to not get hit by a significant charge.

This will be a first experience with virtual cards. Would like to be able to easily have card number specific to a given source and set dollar limit.

Ideally not limited to using a browser extension.

I know privacy.com is one option but it looks like the free personal level limits you to ?? 12 ?? virtual numbers?

How does capital One compare (I don’t need another credit card ..)

I guess I really want to limit any max charge to protect FreedomPop.