Using Virtual Credits Cards Makes Online Shopping Safer
Shopping Tip #8
Love online shopping but hate to give out your credit card details over the net? Me too. Luckily, both PayPal and several credit card companies have responded to those concerns.
Now, instead of supplying a permanent credit or debit card number to an online store, PayPal will make you a one use only MasterCard number to be used only for the current purchase. Vendors have no idea that the card is not an actual credit card and the funds come out of your PayPal account similar to when you use a debit card online.
Credit Card companies have jumped on the bandwagon as well. Many are offering a virtual credit card option to their customers. You can log on to their websites, click to get your one use virtual credit card number, expiration, and CVC number, and use it for one purchase. The order is charged to your existing credit card but no one can use the number again, greatly reducing, even eliminating, the possibility of identity theft when buying online.
PayPal has made it even easier for you to use their service. With a small download, you can have a little icon in your start up tray. When you go to an online store, a little tab will appear asking if you want to use PayPal's virtual credit card service. If you do, you will supply your PayPal password and the site will generate a card number as well as fill in your personal information (Name, address, email, phone number — the usual things you need to supply when buying online). In moments, your order is processed and you don't have to worry about anyone getting a hold of your credit or debit card details and running up high balances without your knowledge.
I once shopped on quite an unscrupulous electronics site. After I canceled the order because of their bait and switch tactics, my debit card was charged $500.00 at another electronics store for a camera that not only did I not order, I know nothing about. It was very tough getting my money back. I feel much more at ease using my debit card with PayPal's new virtual credit card system as you can guess.
Not all credit card companies offer virtual credit card numbers but a good amount do. If your credit card company doesn't, write or call and ask them to consider instituting the practice of virtual credit cards. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to shop online with no worries of having your details stolen and used.
The only drawback of these "disposable credit cards" is that purchases made that either are shipped automatically every so often or are broken into two or more payments will end up rejected after the first payment. In the case of flexible purchasing or autoship ordering, you will have to use your real credit or debit card details for now. In the future, I am sure there will be more innovations, making online shopping even safer and easier than it is now.
