Every time you type card details into a site, you trust that the site is secure, that it really is who it says, and that the details will not leak in a future breach. Most of the time that works. But when something goes wrong, your main card, the one tied to your salary and standing orders, is exposed. That is where a virtual card comes in.
A virtual card is a digital credit card with no plastic, with a number, expiry date and security code separate from your regular card. It is linked to the same account, but you can set a low limit, use it only for online purchases, and cancel or freeze it with a tap in the app. Some Israeli card companies and banks offer such cards, and some services even let you create a one-time number for a single purchase.
Why does it help? Because it limits the damage. If a site you bought from is breached, or you fell for a fake site, scammers get a card with a low limit that you can cancel at once without replacing your main card or updating all your standing orders. And if a site tries to charge you again and again, say for a subscription that is hard to cancel, you can simply freeze the card.
A virtual card does not replace the other precautions. Still check a site's address before entering details, be wary of deals that look too good to be true, and never give anyone a verification code you received by SMS. And remember: if you do fall for a scam, contact your card company immediately. Paying by credit card, virtual or regular, still lets you request a chargeback, unlike a bank transfer, a payment-app transfer to a private person or crypto.
With Black Friday arriving on November 27, and the wave of scams that comes with it, this is a good time to set one up. Check your card company's or bank's app to see whether you can issue a virtual card, set a limit that fits the purchases you plan, and use it for all online shopping. It takes a few minutes and can save a lot of headaches.
