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What Purpose Do Virtual Credit Card Numbers Serve?

By Expert Author: Alisdair Cosgrove | Article Abstract
Word Count: 508 words | Views: 128 view(s)
The single-use credit card numbers that are available through virtual credit card numbers is quickly catching on among today’s consumers, because of the security and protection they offer when making online purchases. Virtual credit card numbers are similar in use to the disposable camera, because with both you have a means to protect another product from damage or theft.

Today, it is much more common to hear about instances of credit and debit card fraud, as well as identity theft, than it was only a few years ago.

The safeguarding of the consumer’s credit card and personal information is equally important to credit card companies and consumers, and they both are trying to find methods of dealing with the risks and still allow the people to use their cards to make purchases locally and online.

Perhaps, one of best solutions to this problem so far, is the creation of these virtual credit card numbers.

The virtual credit card numbers may be limited to one purchase, but they are temporary numbers that are used in place of your actual credit card number to complete any transactions without giving sensitive info to websites. At some times however, the virtual numbers may not be limited to a single purchase, but the number may be available to make several purchases for a limited period of time.

The intended purpose of a virtual credit card number, is to protect your real number from those who would make fraudulent use of the card and do damage to your credit. If a criminal breaks into an online credit card processing center and takes your card information, the virtual credit card number will prove to be invalid and worthless for them.

While it may seem that credit card information is very safe on some sites and secured from any threats during the payment process, there is something else to consider; the online merchants are often the culprits who take information and sell it to criminals.

Larger and legitimate retailers are not exempt from dishonest practices, even those that pride themselves on providing secure credit card processing systems that supposedly keep your information completely safe, those who wish to profit from the unlawful sale of personal credit card information will find ways to do so.

If you want an added bit of security, a virtual credit card number is definitely something to be considered, because when dishonest retailers and identity thieves try to use these numbers to make purchases they won’t be able to, because they’ve already expired. Now those consumers who do most of their shopping online, can now breathe a sigh of relief at the simplicity and effectiveness of this ingenious security measure and there is no reason to fear identity theft or fraud when you can use a virtual credit card number.

if you are a consumer who uses a credit card when you need to make a safe and secure purchase online, a virtual credit card number can offer you a very good option.
Alisdair Cosgrove

About the Author/Author Bio

Alisdair Cosgrove is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance. You can read more of his work at www.JSNet.org for credit cards and also offers a comprehensive list of secured credit cards.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/What-Purpose-Do-Virtual-Credit-Card-Numbers-Serve-/185764

Article Submitted: 2009-05-12 | This Article has been viewed 128 times.

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