Certain Credit Card companies like Citi. allow you to set up "virtual" account #'s that are directly linked to your main account. you pick the amount (up to your available limit) and expiration (2 - 12 months) and it assigns a "virtual" #.
It is just like your normal Credit card, it has a 16 digit card #, an expiration date, and a cvc #.
Once the "virtual" is used a few things happen. It deducts the purchase amount from the available credit on the "virtual" card as well as the main card.
The card is only good for one vendor so once the initial purchase is made that "virtual" # can not be used for any other vendor. Also if the amount is close or equal to the available amount on the "virtual" card it can not be authorized for more. In some cases it you want to designate the "virtual" # for a vendor that you use all the time, you can go back and increase the amount and expiration date.
So if someone were to get ahold of your "virtual" account # they will not be able to authorize any charges.
Hope this helps.
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I've used the Bank of America version of this. No charge and secure. :-)
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Good point. they don't charge extra for this service.
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My Discover card has this service. However, many online retailers that I use don't accept Discover. :-)
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I use this, it works great and costs nothing.
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Does Wells Fargo offer something like this? My only Visas/MC's are through them.
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There needs to be some clarity here about all of this.

A prepaid credit card is really just a debit card for people with bad credit. You send a bank money and they give you a percentage revolving line of credit based on the amount you have deposited.

A visa gift card you buy locally or on-line in denominations of your choosing. Some can be refilled, some can not. Many expire or charge a monthly fee if you don't use them. A transaction over your balance will be declined.

A virtual credit card is a secondary number issued for a traditional credit card (one time, one vendor, or specified time period) that prevents thieves from using your actual credit card information in the future.

Different banks have different fee schedules and some are not valid for transactions in foreign currency.

I would like to use visa gift cards but I am concerned about transaction fees or conversion fees if used for an international transaction. Can some one please tell me what their experience has been with this?
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Like was posted above the Citi Virtual CC feature Rocks! I can set a limit, say exactly what I know an order might be and then it clears instantly... you can close the card out after that, or let it expire in 2 months.

I know that Chase offers Visa gift cards for customers, and the limit is up to $500 I believe. Not sure how well they will work to purchase items online, but I might look into it here soon for the holiday season and for my own paranoid self lol...if I remember right, they are free to Chase customers...
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Actually Craig a prepaid is similar to a gift card but can be refilled, the description you have listed is a Secured Credit Card meaning the debt is secured by the initial deposit. I have yet to get any international fees when ordering with my prepaid card
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OK here is my question.

Can this be done with any credit card or do you have to have a Citi card to make it work?

What I want to do is assign my bank visa card to pay this "temp" card to pay for my smokes.

What I don't want is fee's or monthly charges etc. etc.

I like the haypal option I guess if they can't close my account when they see it's a cigar purchase.
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Can somebody please provide the link for citi Virtual cards? I was just on the site and I cant find anything about a virtual card.
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If you log into your account online at citicard.com then go to the "Tools and Services" tab, you can drop down to "Request a Virtual Account Number". :-)

Also, this will explain it:
https://www.citicards.com/cards/wv/d...laccountnumber
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I would say it depends on your card provider. If they have the option or not. If its a bank, then I doubt they will have something like that. Worst case though, give customer service a call and see what they offer. :-)
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:-)

Then you can DL the software to your computer and run it from there, or log into your account every time and then log into the virtual CC section. :-)
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Thanks for the info guys, but it doesnt give me that option in the Tools and Services menu. :-)

maybe its not available with my pitiful card.. you gotta be a Big Balla to have that option :-):-)
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From citi's FAQ:

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Maybe give 'em a call and check it out? That is weird that it doesnt have that option for your card... maybe they limit it to different kinds of cards?

Oh and I highly doubt I'm a big balla Moe :-)
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Just curious, why the big desire for the "virtual" cards?

Are you guys afraid of fraud?

Never been too concerned since I only use cards online with low available lines in case they get lifted. I have 2 cap 1 accounts and they raised my credit on the low one a while back. I called them and asked them to lower it back down since its the one I use online.

They obliged and increased the other one by the same amount :-)

They just don't get it.

Chas
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I called and it isnt available with my card because it was originally a transferred card (used to be Macys or some chit, and they switched it over)

Oh, and I KNOW youre a big balla Zach!! :-)

Many of us are ALREADY victims of fraud. The virtual cards can save the hassle of going through it again.
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Chase does not offer these, alas!
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