What is a virtual card, how do you use them and what types are there? You may have many questions, all of which we will answer.
We explain what it is, how they work and why others love to use it. With virtual cards you can manage and spend your money safely without worrying about security.
What is a virtual card?
Virtual cards are a digital Mastercard Cards that you apply for online. Virtual cards are suitable for paying more securely, because your personal payment details remain protected. Checkouts work just like with your regular plastic (credit) card. You use the Mastercard card number, the expiry date and the 3-digit CVV (which is normally on the back).
This means that you can use a virtual card at any merchant that will accept Mastercard. This concerns webshops where you want to shop online and, for example, providers where you take out a subscription.
What do you use a virtual card for?
A virtual card can be used wherever you can purchase with a regular Mastercard. These are the purchases and payments that people often use the cards for:
Online shopping at your favorite merchant
Shop online at stores such as Amazon, AliExpress and eBay. You spend securely and discretely online, so your data is 100% safe.
Buy apps and software in the app stores
Buy an app or other software, for example the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Subscriptions with the popular providers
Subscribe to your favorite services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+, Apple Music and Spotify and pay for your monthly subscriptions.
Online gaming on the well-known networks
Use the card to spend on the gaming networks – PlayStation Plus, Steam, Xbox Live and eSports such as FIFA, League of Legends and Fortnite.
Contribute to crowdfunding
Support projects on GoFundMe or contribute to crowdfunding campaigns at Kickstarter and Indigogo.
There are different types of virtual cards. We list the three variants for consumers for you:
Virtual credit card
Virtual debit card
Virtual prepaid debit card
In addition, there is also the virtual gift card. This is an anonymous gift card that you do not link to a bank account. Most providers for consumers have stopped doing this due to new regulations. The card is still readily available for business. The Corporate Virtual Gift Card has different conditions, allows worldwide users to register and a limit up to € 1000.
Virtual Credit Card
The Virtual Credit Card is a digital credit card that most closely resembles the regular credit card that you know. The card is linked to your income, and based on a credit check.
Virtual Debit Card
The Virtual Debit Card is linked to your bank account, so a credit check also applies. In some cases you can order one-time debit cards, which expire after one use.
Virtual Prepaid Debit Card
The Virtual Prepaid Debit Card is not linked to your bank account, so no credit check applies. In addition, it allows you to purchase securely and more anonymously:
Virtual Green Card
Top up yourself
Valid for 3 years
Worldwide acceptance
First 2 months no base fee
We donate 0.2% of your spending to CO2 reduction projects.
These cards are simple and safe because they are not linked to your normal bank account. This ensures that payments to sellers, shops and online providers are more anonymous.
How do you link a virtual Card to your mobile phone?
Virtual debit cards have become the safe and protected form of paying online. Thanks to Google Pay and Apple Pay, for example, you can now also pay offline with your digital payment card. You can add the card to the digital wallet on your mobile phone, so that you can pay secure and more anonymous at any store.
Is paying with a virtual card safe?
Yes, paying with a virtual card is 100% secure. Thanks to tokenzation (Apple Pay and Google Pay), payments with our virtual cards are extra protected against payment fraud and data leaks on the internet. The card number is converted into a Token ID, and contains enough information to process a payment. Online purchases with tokens cannot be traced back to the original card details in the unlikely event that they fall into the wrong hands.
In addition, transactions with our cards are protected. Where in the past you had to verify a transaction with your PIN code, this is different with our digital cards. Payments are authorized via Mastercard 3D secure, biometric verification (Face-ID/Touch-ID) or the code of your mobile device or laptop.
How does it work? Request and activate in 3 steps
Choose your virtual card
Choose the Virtual Green Card or the Virtual Black Card online.
Apply online and receive it instantly
Apply for the card online and immediately receive an e-mail with your card details.
Your first payment with a virtual card
Deposit credit into the linked account and pay (online) with your card number.
For full details on how to register an account and create and activate your card, read our guide on “how a virtual card works“.
Virtual cards: order online
You can easily order a virtual card online. We will automatically send you the card, so you will instantly receive an e-mail from us with all the details. That means you can use it right away.
Any questions? Contact our support
Make your choice and order the virtual card that suits you best easily online. Excited, but still have questions regarding our service? Find your answer right away in the frequently asked questions. Or contact our support. We would love to hear from you
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