CreditCardsAct

Using a credit card offers you several advantages over using cash. For one, credit cards are convenient to use. Instead of bringing wads of cash when you go shopping – and making yourself a potential target of pickpockets or robbers – you can just bring your plastic credit card. The Internet has taken credit card use to a higher level these days. With so many companies bringing their businesses online, it is also possible to shop online using your credit card.

Online shopping presents a new area of danger for credit card users. It is possible for a cracker, identity thief, or hacker to steal your personal and credit card information, and then use it on your behalf for online transactions (e.g., shopping and buying online) without your consent or knowledge. In this latter case, you might want to protect your primary credit card number by obtaining a secondary credit card number, also known as a virtual card number. This article will help you through the process of obtaining a secondary credit card number.

Contact your credit card company. Many major credit card companies and banks issue secondary credit card numbers to their customers. You can contact your credit company through phone and inquire about how you can acquire a secondary credit card number. You can also visit your bank’s official website and look for information there about secondary credit card numbers. Most credit card companies and banks have websites that allow you to perform safe and secure banking transactions online. Or, if your bank does not allow you to have a secondary card number, you can buy secondary virtual credit card numbers from Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express for less than $11.

Ask for the fees and other requirements. Although most credit companies and banks allow you to apply for a secondary credit card number for free, some can charge you service fees. The fees are usually very low. Always ask about service fees so that you won’t be surprised to see a service fee charged to your primary account in your next bill. Also ask about other requirements that you need to comply with. For example, your bank may require you to have an online banking account before you can obtain a virtual card number.

Apply for a secondary number. After you have fulfilled the requirements, you can apply for your secondary credit card number through your bank’s online banking facility or over the phone (if your bank allows it). In most cases, you will need to create a new and separate user account on your credit company’s online banking facility. Your new user account is what you will use to log in to your account for the secondary credit card number.

Use a virtual card number only once. This is a very important rule to remember so that your virtual card number can effectively deter fraudulent use of your credit card information. Virtual card numbers are generally throwaway secondary credit card numbers intended to protect your primary credit card number from theft or unauthorized use. Use a new virtual card number for every new purchase that you make online.

If you shop frequently on the Internet, your secondary credit card number can be a good deterrent for crackers, identity thieves, and other forms of online crimes involving money. With your secondary credit card number or virtual card number, plus caution and care, you can make purchases online more safely and more securely.
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