如今，网上购物已成为全球品牌的一种时尚，无数产品在家门口就可以买到，而无需搬出家门。从电子产品等商品，到水果和蔬菜等食品，只需点击一下鼠标，即可获得一切。
然而，在所有这些舒适的同时，也存在对安全性的担忧。在线(Online)购物也引起了网络犯罪分子的注意，使其有时不安全。输入信用卡详细信息（包括CVV号码）的需要将用户的整个信用额度置于网络犯罪分子的手中。
使信用卡更容易受到攻击的是其高额的信用额度，这是网络犯罪分子正在寻找的。一个简单的泄漏或黑客攻击，您的信用就有被在线滥用的风险。那么，解决方案是什么？有没有办法让您仍然可以使用信用卡(Credit Cards)并感到足够安全？
答案可能是虚拟信用卡。(Virtual Credit Cards.)
什么是虚拟信用卡
虚拟信用卡(Virtual Credit Card)是一种没有信用额度的预付信用卡，这意味着任何信用都不会受到损害。虚拟信用卡(Virtual Credit Card)非常适合在线使用(online usage)，因为即使卡信息被泄露，黑客也无法在超出负载余额和当前每日使用限制的情况下使用它们。
顾名思义，虚拟(Virtual)信用卡本质上是虚拟的，不是实体发行的。它们根本没有任何塑料存在。它们只是虚拟存在，这就是它们提供保护的方式。虚拟信用卡(Virtual Credit)基本上是随机生成的数字，旨在在线购物时保护您的传统信用卡信息。
即使号码被黑，黑客也无法在超出负载余额和当前每日使用限制的情况下使用它。这是一项与用户的网上银行(Netbanking)账户相关联的在线服务。您只需登录在线门户网站并在需要在线支付时创建所需金额的虚拟信用卡。(Virtual Credit Card)它是您信用卡的扩展版本，可为您提供额外的保护。虚拟信用卡(Virtual Credit Card)是满足大多数需求的最安全和最佳选择。
虽然它被称为虚拟信用卡(Virtual Credit Card)，但它实际上是一张预付卡(prepaid)。它是真正意义上的借记卡，因为上面没有信用额度。您可以决定这些虚拟卡的日常信用额度。这张卡的所有相关详细信息，如卡号、“有效期”、到期日和CVV号都在线显示。
虚拟信用卡(Credit Card)如何保证安全
这张卡最吸引人的特点之一以及它存在的原因是它的防盗保证。虚拟信用卡号是虚拟存在的，并且只能使用一次。此功能本身在很大程度上减少了对盗窃的怀疑。
阅读(Read)：您如何保护自己免受Carding 信用卡欺诈(Carding credit card fraud)？
如何获得虚拟信用卡
虚拟信用卡与普通信用卡一样易于使用。使用这些虚拟卡进行在线购买非常简单。
- 您需要做的第一件事是创建所需面额的卡片。为此，请将您的卡详细信息提供给您从中获取网上银行服务的银行。
- 然后银行会为您提供一个 16 位的虚拟信用卡号。
- 输入生成的此信用卡号。用您需要支付的金额为卡充值，必要的金额将从您的帐户中存入。就是这样！
您无需填写更多详细信息，例如CVV编号或到期日期或其他任何信息，因为您需要使用永久或实体信用卡。这就是为什么现在虚拟信用卡更适合安全在线购物的原因。
有效性(Validity)
一般来说，这些虚拟信用卡的有效期只有 24 到 48 小时。尽管像ICICI这样的一些银行允许更长的到期日。之后，它会自我毁灭。客户只能通过这些信用卡进行一次付款。
用法(Usage)
客户可以灵活地使用全部或部分金额。剩余余额将退回客户的银行账户。使用它不收取额外的服务费。
值得信赖的(Trustworthy)虚拟信用卡服务商
有许多银行提供虚拟信用卡(Virtual Credit Card) 服务(Services)。美国(America)银行(Bank)和花旗是提供(Citi)信用卡(Credit Cards)和虚拟信用卡(Virtual Credit Cards)的主要参与者。
美国银行：(Bank of America: )该银行(Bank)仅向在线银行用户提供此服务，作为Visa和万事达卡(Mastercard)账户的ShopSafe服务。默认情况下，它会生成一个用于在线购物的虚拟信用卡号。客户可以灵活选择最长可达一年的数字有效期，甚至可以将其用于每月定期付款。它们还为 16 位帐号和安全代码提供临时到期日期，以提高安全性。
Citi ：它为(Citi)CitiThank You 和Preferred Card的用户提供这项服务。美国(America)银行(Bank)和花旗(Citi)在虚拟信用卡(Virtual Credit)方面的工作方式几乎没有区别。花旗(Citi)生成的虚拟信用卡号只能用于单个商户。因此，即使黑客窃取了它也无法在其他地方使用。持卡人可以要求花旗(Citi)向他们提供其他商户的额外号码。您需要检查您的帐户是否有资格获得虚拟信用卡。
EntroPay : 尽管是新玩家，但它是目前国际支付虚拟卡中最受欢迎的。只需五分钟即可轻松获得一张准备好的卡片。访问该网站并单击立即开始。通过输入所需的详细信息进行注册，然后单击“创建(Create)您的Entropay卡”。选择您要交易的货币并输入 5 至 300 美元之间的充值金额。在此充值中，您必须支付总充值金额 4.95% 的高额加载佣金。您的卡只需五分钟即可准备就绪！此外，它接受世界各地的大多数卡。它分为三个级别——入门级(Starter)、基本级和高级(Premier)级，充值金额有限制。
虽然Entropay的佣金很高；它是迄今为止最值得信赖和最优秀的虚拟信用卡服务提供商。
Final：Final是现在被(Final)高盛(Goldman Sachs)收购的信用卡初创公司。最终(Final)用于提供一次性信用卡号码。在其中一项服务中， 只能使用一次，默认情况下会被丢弃。而另一张卡可以与一个商家多次使用。
Final不再接受新的申请。现有持卡人可以通过在GetFinal.com上登录他们的帐户或发送电子邮件[email protected]来了解更多关于他们的卡的信息
阅读(Read)：如何生成虚拟电话号码？(How to generate a Virtual Phone Number?)
印度发行人(India-based issuers)
SBI VCC：要发行SBI 虚拟信用卡(SBI Virtual Credit Card)，请登录您的 NetBanking 帐户。将生成100(INR 100)至50,000(INR 50,000)卢比的免费虚拟卡。该卡在一次成功交易或最多 48 小时内有效。
它只能用于家庭用途。银行会向您注册的手机号码发送短信以批准交易。要创建虚拟SBI卡，请访问其站点并登录(Log)。单击(Click)电子卡选项卡并选择SBI的(SBI)虚拟(Virtual Credit)信用卡。仔细阅读他们的条款和条件，然后点击同意，然后点击生成。验证详细信息，OTP将发送到您的手机号码。该卡将在成功验证后生成。
HDFC NetSafe VCC：它使用您现有的信用卡/借记卡生成虚拟卡号。其有效期仅为 48 小时。对于借记卡，每天可以生成5 个HDFC VCC 。它可以在接受Mastercard/ Visa Card的商户网站上使用，为您提供安全的在线支付。
Kotak Mahindra Bank Netcard：它适用于国际和国内。它仅在 48 小时内有效或直到第一次交易。如果您在Kotak Mahindra银行有活期或储蓄账户，并且您已注册为网上银行用户，则可以使用其设施。以下是创建Netcard的简单步骤：
访问其网站并登录您的NetBanking帐户。单击(Click)[电子邮件保护]选项卡。OTP将发送到您注册的手机号码。输入(Enter)虚拟卡的金额，然后单击确定。您的卡已创建！
Axis Bank 的 Lime Wallets：(Lime Wallets of Axis Bank: )Mastercard的用户可以获得免费的虚拟信用卡或购物卡。它只能用于家庭用途。他们还计划将实体卡连接到钱包，以方便在线下商店购物。要开始使用它，请下载一个石灰钱包应用程序(Wallet App)。输入(Enter)您的详细信息以开设帐户。然后创建一个VCC。
ICICI的Pockets Wallet：(Pockets Wallet of ICICI: )任何人都可以使用，即使他们不是ICICI的客户。它还可以选择将实体卡链接到便于离线支付的钱包，但您需要为此支付年费。他们还不时为用户提供购物优惠。它还有助于使用NEFT将资金转移到其他银行账户。有消息称，ICICI很快将在其ICICI分支机构设立设施，供客户存入现金以将其加载到虚拟签证卡中。
如果您想创建ICICI的在线(ICICI)VCC，只需下载袖珍钱包应用程序并单击注册。输入详细信息，然后单击注册并完成。您的卡已创建。
如果您想保护您的信用卡限额被黑客滥用，建议您选择虚拟信用卡。然而，即使是虚拟信用卡也存在被操纵的风险；虽然伤害是最小的。因此，您应该在购买前考虑所有风险。(Selecting a Virtual Credit Card is recommended if you want to protect your Credit Card limit being abused by hackers. However, even Virtual Credit Cards run the risk of being manipulated; though the damage will be minimum. Hence, you should consider all risks before buying.)
What are Virtual Credit Cards and how & where do you get them?
Today, online shopping has become a fad with global brandѕ and іnnumerable products are available аt your doorstep without thе need to move out of your home. Right from commodity goods, like electronics аppliances, to eatables like fruits and vegetables, everything iѕ available with just a click of your mouse.
However, with all this comfort there lies a concern for security too. Online shopping has also attracted the attention of Cybercriminals making it unsecured at times. The need to enter the credit card details including the CVV number puts the user’s entire credit limit at the stake of online criminals.
What makes credit cards more vulnerable is their hefty credit limits, which cybercriminals are looking for. A simple leak or hack, and your credit is at the risk of being misused online. So, what is the solution? Is there a way that you can still use Credit Cards and feel secure enough?
The answer could be, Virtual Credit Cards.
What is a Virtual Credit Card
A Virtual Credit Card is a prepaid credit card with no credit limit, meaning that there is no possibility of any credit being compromised. Virtual Credit Cards are ideal for online usage as even if the card information is compromised, the hacker cannot use them beyond the loaded balance and the present daily usage limits.
As the name suggests, Virtual credit cards are virtual in nature and are not issued physically. They do not have any plastic presence at all. They exist only virtually, and that is how they provide protection. Virtual Credit Cards are basically randomly generated numbers designed to protect your traditional credit card information when shopping online.
Even if the number gets hacked, the hacker cannot use it beyond the loaded balance and the present daily usage limits. It is an online service that is linked to the Netbanking account of the user. You just need to log in to the online portal and create a Virtual Credit Card for the required amount whenever you need to pay online. It is an extended version of your credit card that offers you an extra layer of protection. Virtual Credit Card is the safest and best option for most needs.
Although it is called a Virtual Credit Card, it is in effect a prepaid card. It is a debit card in the true sense, as there is no credit facility on it. You can decide the everyday credit limits of these virtual cards. All the relevant details of this card like the card number, “valid from date”, the expiry date, and the CVV number are present online.
How Virtual Credit Card guarantees security
One of the most attractive features of this card and the reason for its existence is its anti-theft guarantee. A virtual credit card number is present virtually, and it can be used only once. This feature itself reduces any doubt for theft largely.
Read: How do you protect yourself against Carding credit card fraud?
How to get a Virtual Credit Card
A virtual credit card is easy to use like a normal credit card. It is quite simple to make an online purchase using these virtual cards.
- The first thing you need to do is create a card of the required denomination. For this, provide your card details to the bank from whom you are taking the net banking facility.
- Then the bank will provide you with a 16 digit virtual credit card number.
- Enter this credit card number that is generated. Top-up the card with as much money as you need to make a payment for and the requisite amount will be credited from your account. That’s it!
You do not have to fill in more details like CVV number or expiry date or anything else, as you are required to do with a permanent or physical credit card. That is why Virtual Credit Cards are more preferred nowadays for secured online shopping.
Validity
Generally, the validity of these virtual credit cards is just 24 to 48 hours. Though some banks like ICICI allows a longer expiry date. After that, it self-destroys itself. Customers are allowed to make only one payment through these credit cards.
Usage
Customers have the flexibility to use either the entire amount or a part of it. The leftover balance will be credited back to the customer’s bank account. No additional service charge is applicable for using it.
Trustworthy virtual credit card services providers
There are many banks that provide Virtual Credit Card Services. Bank of America and Citi are the major players who offer both Credit Cards as well as Virtual Credit Cards.
Bank of America: The Bank offers this service to the users of online banking as a ShopSafe service on Visa and Mastercard accounts only. By default, it generates a virtual credit card number for online shopping. Customers have the flexibility to select the validity of numbers that can be up to one year max and can even use it for monthly recurring payments. They also provide a temporary expiry date for the 16 digit account number and security code for more security.
Citi: It offers this service to the users of Citi Thank You and Preferred Card. There is little difference in the way Bank of America and Citi works towards Virtual Credit cards. The virtual credit card number generated in Citi can be used for a single merchant only. Thus, if a hacker even steals it cannot be used elsewhere. Cardmembers can request Citi to provide them additional numbers for other merchants. You need to check if your account is eligible for a virtual credit card.
EntroPay: It is the most popular at present in virtual cards for international payment in spite of being a new player. It is quite easy to get a ready card that too just in five minutes. Visit the website and click on get started now. Registered yourself by entering the required details and click on “Create your Entropay card”. Select the currency you would be dealing with and enter the top-up amount between $5 to $300. On this top-up, you have to pay a high loading commission of $4.95% of the total top-up amount. And your card is ready in just five minutes! Moreover, it accepts most cards all over the world. It has three levels – Starter, basic, and Premier with limitations of the recharged amount.
Though Entropay has a high commission; it is so far the most trusted and good service provider for virtual credit cards.
Final: Final was the credit card startup that is now acquired by Goldman Sachs. Final used to offer disposable credit card numbers. In one of the services, the could be used once only, and it would be disposed of by default. While another card could be utilized with a single merchant multiple times.
Final is no longer taking new applications. The existing cardholders can know more about their card by signing in their account on GetFinal.com, or by emailing [email protected]
Read: How to generate a Virtual Phone Number?
India-based issuers
SBI VCC: In order to issue SBI Virtual Credit Card, log into your NetBanking account. Free virtual cards will be generated with a range from INR 100 to INR 50,000. The card is valid until one successful transaction or up to 48 hours.
It can be used for domestic purpose only. The bank sends a text to your registered mobile number for approval of the transaction. To create a virtual SBI card go to its site and Log In. Click on e-card tab and choose Virtual Credit card of SBI. Read their terms and conditions thoroughly and click on agree and then on generate. Verify the details and OTP will be sent to your mobile number. The card will be generated on successful verification.
HDFC NetSafe VCC: It generates the virtual card number using your existing credit/debit card. Its validity is just for 48 hours. For debit cards, 5 HDFC VCC can be generated daily. It can be used on merchant site that accepts Mastercard/ Visa Card, providing you secure online payment.
Kotak Mahindra Bank Netcard: It works internationally and domestically. It is valid for 48 hours only or until 1st transaction. You can avail its facility if you have current or savings account in Kotak Mahindra bank and if you are registered as a net banking user. Here are simple steps to create Netcard:
Go to its site and log in to your NetBanking account. Click on [email protected] tab. The OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the amount of the virtual card and click OK. Your card is created!
Lime Wallets of Axis Bank: Users of Mastercard are offered a free virtual credit card or a shopping card. It can be used for domestic purpose only. They also have plans for connecting a physical card to the wallet to facilitate shopping at offline stores. To start using it, download a lime Wallet App. Enter your details to open an account. Then create a VCC.
Pockets Wallet of ICICI: It can be used by anyone even if they are not customers of ICICI. It also has an option to link the physical card to the wallet facilitating offline payment though you need to pay an annual fee for that. They also have shopping offers especially for users from time to time. It also facilitates to transfer the fund to other bank accounts using NEFT. There is news that ICICI will soon have a facility in its ICICI branches, for customers to deposit the cash to load it into the virtual visa card.
If you wish to create online VCC of ICICI simply download the pocket wallet app and click on sign up. Enter the details and click on sign up and done. Your card is created.
Selecting a Virtual Credit Card is recommended if you want to protect your Credit Card limit being abused by hackers. However, even Virtual Credit Cards run the risk of being manipulated; though the damage will be minimum. Hence, you should consider all risks before buying.
