Virtual Prepaid Cards

Virtual prepaid cards can be a safer way to complete transactions when you’re shopping online.

Prepaid virtual cards are cards that you pre-charge with a set amount and then use while you’re purchasing items online at websites and internet shops where they accept credit card and debt card payments; which is just about everywhere.

To get a virtual card you can visit a website that sells cards, just make sure you avoid online card scams. For more information on avoiding online card scams read Discounted Prepaid Gas Cards. Although the cards are a different type than the standard virtual card, the ways to avoid scams offered in this article are the same techniques you should use when purchasing virtual prepaid cards.

Once you have purchased a virtual card a message is sent to your email account. ‘The card’ is the email message. Basically, it’s a 16 digit card number and the three-digit security code usually found on the back of your regular credit card. Processing times on cards can vary. If you know you’re going to need to make an online purchase with a virtual card make sure to get your card at least three days in advance.

Virtual cards were designed for internet shoppers but many can now be used for phone purchases. There are not virtual cards available for real live store purchases; not yet anyway. With current technology, it wouldn’t be a shock to see this sort of card very soon.

There are some good reasons to get a safe virtual card and use it as opposed to your personal debt card or credit card.

• Safety: It’s actually fairly safe to shop online. Still there’s always the chance that a real savvy computer hacker could gather your personal information from a credit card or debt card while you’re shopping online. A virtual card eliminates this risk because your actual personal information isn’t out there to hack. All that’s in cyber space is a temporary card number. If a hacker does for whatever reason steal virtual information it’s less out of your pocket and also these cards tend to expire quickly so the hacker hasn’t found a great deal.

• Budget: Virtual cards can help poor budgeters to budget smarter. There’s a ceiling and the buyer knows it so they can’t overspend. Even though it’s forced spending control it can result in smarter budgeting and planning. You need to plan how much you can afford and if you have a rechargeable card, figure out how much to reload.

• Credit: Many people have poor credit or no credit and cannot get a credit card or debt card. If you don’t have one of these two accounts it’s unlikely you’ll be able to shop online. It’s a rare online store that accepts a check and unheard of for one to accept cash – the logistics make it impossible. Virtual prepaid cards create a way for people with no other accounts to shop online. Some prepaid cards, like Account Now even have credit building perks built into their card, which can also help you with credit repair.

• For others: You can use prepaid cards to pay people. If you create a satisfactory agreement with an individual about it beforehand some people will accept a prepaid card as a form of payment for services. They can also be used for gift cards.

As mentioned above there are virtual card scams to beware of – that is certainly a big con. There are a few more as well.

• Prepaid virtual cards are not accepted everywhere that real credit cards or debt cards are accepted; such as you can’t reserve a hotel room or car for your vacation with a prepaid card. Both are big ticket internet purchases.
• Some prepaid cards expire. It’s no fun to be forced into a purchase you don’t want or need simply because your money is going to expire.
• For safety reasons you shouldn’t keep your stored information about your virtual card on your computer – such as in your email account. Once you write down your information you need to be able to keep track of it. If you lose items easily a prepaid card may not be for you because some companies make it hard or impossible to get that information again.

Finally, whether you’re using virtual or real cards for your online shopping, always make sure to look for hacker safe sites.

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