Shopping online can go really well or… it can go really badly. Many people panic about having their data stolen when shopping online, and the truth is, today we pay for almost everything with our phones or on the internet. It is very convenient, yes, we cannot deny it, but it also has its dark side, and that is that there are more and more scams, leaks, and data thefts… Why do people have to be so bad? When that happens, you not only lose money, but also time… and trust.
That is why virtual cards are becoming more and more common, they are like a shield for your online shopping and can save you from more than one scare. More and more people are using them, from users who shop in digital stores to companies that move large amounts of money, so if you want to know more, here we are.
What are virtual cards?
They work just like a debit or credit card, but they do not exist physically, everything is digital. The key is that, for each payment, you can generate a new and temporary number, with its expiration date and its security code so that, in case of fraud, nothing can be done.
The good part? That number only works for that purchase. If someone manages to intercept it, it will be useless. It is like burning the card right after paying.
An extra layer of security
Unlike normal cards, the data of a virtual card changes constantly. You can make them expire quickly, set a spending limit, or restrict their use to a single store.
Many use technologies like tokenization or encryption, which means that not even the store where you shop will see your real data, but something like an alias. It is like wearing a mask that changes every time you enter a store.
You decide how and where to use it
Another advantage is that you have total control. You can create a card only to pay a specific store, for a one-time project, or to manage a team’s expenses if you have a company.
And at home they are also very useful. They work, for example, to prevent you from being automatically charged for a service you no longer want, to limit impulsive shopping, or to detect if something strange has been charged to your account.
For companies and for individuals
In companies, this type of card makes payment management easier and improves expense control. You can assign a card to each department or project and keep everything well separated to balance the books without headaches.
And in personal use, they bring a lot of peace of mind. Especially if you shop on websites you do not know well, or if you are going to travel abroad and prefer not to expose your main card on every payment, this is our favorite option when we leave the country.
A trend?
Everything points to virtual cards becoming the new standard in digital payments. They are safer, easier to control, and protect you against fraud, which is so common today, and on top of that, you do not have to carry them with you all the time.
More and more banks and platforms are offering them, so yes, it seems to be trending (but it is a good trend, not like the low-rise jeans trend). Let’s be honest, no one wants their account drained because of a slip-up on an online store.
They are designed for “those who know a lot about technology”, but also to be convenient and safe! We encourage you to try them, then tell us!