With the increase in digital scams and computer attacks, consumers are looking for safer ways to pay without exposing their banking details. So-called “virtual cards” are becoming the preferred solution for banks and cybersecurity experts, as they cannot be physically stolen and offer a double barrier against fraud.
Virtual cards work like any traditional bank card, but they do not have physical support, which makes fraud difficult. The cardholder receives a card number, expiration date and CVV code that they can check in the application or on the bank’s website, without ever having to carry the plastic in their wallet. They are, therefore, one of the safest ways to make payments online and even in physical stores via mobile phone, according to the Spanish portal 20minutos.
A card that doesn’t get lost or stolen
According to the Spanish Consumer and User Organization (OCU), the great asset of these cards is precisely the fact that they cannot be lost, cloned or stolen. Even if the cell phone is lost, access to the card is protected by several layers of security: first it is necessary to unlock the device (with fingerprint, facial recognition or code), and then authenticate the purchase at the bank.
The main payment applications, Google Wallet, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, allow you to use these virtual cards on any contactless terminal. The cell phone itself acts as a second protective barrier, requiring biometric authentication before completing the payment.
Free and controlled from the app
Most Portuguese banks already offer the issuance of free virtual cards directly in the app, associated with the current account or physical card. The user can set spending limits, block or delete the card at any time and even create several different cards for different uses, for example, one for regular purchases and another exclusively for subscriptions or online services.
Single-use cards: maximum security
Some financial institutions go even further and offer disposable virtual cards, valid only for one transaction or for a short period. After payment, the number is automatically unusable, preventing any cloning attempt. This type of card is especially useful for purchases on unknown websites or dubious promotions.
Less risks, more control
Cybersecurity experts, cited by the same source, consider virtual cards an effective tool to reduce the impact of digital fraud and scams. By preventing the real main card number from being exposed with each transaction, the risk of data theft is practically eliminated. Furthermore, real-time management through the app allows you to detect suspicious movements immediately and block them with a tap.
What to do if you are a victim of fraud
If the consumer is a victim of misuse of the card, the recommendation is to act without delay.
- Contact the bank e block immediately the affected card.
- Collect evidence (emails, messages, screenshots).
- File a complaint with the Police and save the process number.
- Make a formal complaint to the bankasking for the balance to be replaced.
According to Asoban’s lawyers, cited by , if the customer was not negligent, the bank is obliged to reimburse the amount lost after the investigation.
The future of digital payments
With the expansion of payment apps and the reinforcement of authentication standards imposed by the European Union (such as PSD2), virtual cards are consolidating themselves as the safest and most practical option for everyday life. In addition to eliminating the risk of cloning, they simplify financial management, allowing you to track each expense in real time.
A small gesture, a big difference
By leaving the physical card at home and only using the cell phone, the user drastically reduces the chances of falling into cloning or loss schemes. The combination of biometrics, bank authentication and virtual cards turns the smartphone into the most secure wallet at the moment.
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