When you save a credit or debit card to your Google Account, you may be able to turn on a virtual card number. Virtual card numbers can be shared with merchants for online or in-app transactions to keep your actual card number info more secure.
This feature is currently available for eligible cards in the US only.
About virtual cards
Virtual cards are a safer way to pay online or in-app. When you use a virtual card to make a purchase, the app replaces your physical card number with a unique virtual card number. When you check out, the virtual number hides your personal payment details and helps to protect you against fraud.
- You can use your virtual card for online or in-app purchases.
- When you pay online, you can check out faster if you allow Google to automatically fill out your virtual card payment info and CVC.
- If you use autofill on Chrome, your bank may send a temporary code to your phone to verify your identity.
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For some cards, you may not be able to use a virtual card on certain merchant sites or apps if the merchant has opted out of using the virtual cards.
Tip: The virtual card number, expiration date, and CVC may be different from your physical card. For added security, some card issuers change your virtual card number or CVC for different merchants or transactions.
How to turn on & use a virtual card
Important: To turn on a virtual card, you must have autofill turned on.
Turn on a virtual card when you check out
When you make a purchase online with Chrome, you may be able to turn on a virtual card. If you check out with an eligible card:
- Not yet saved to your Google Account: You may get the option to turn on a virtual card before you complete your purchase.
- Already saved to your Google Account: You may get the option to turn on a virtual card after you complete your purchase.
If you turn on a virtual card, the next time you make a purchase, you can use the virtual card number to check out.
Turn on a virtual card in Google Chrome
- Open Chrome
.
- Go to chrome://settings/payments.
- At the top, make sure to turn on:
- Save and fill payment methods.
- Allow sites to check if you have payment methods saved.
- Find the card that you added to your Google Account.
- If there are no cards, next to “Payment methods,” click Add.
- Follow the onscreen steps.
- Next to the card that you want a virtual card for, click More
Turn on virtual card.
- Only eligible cards that support virtual card numbers have this option.
- On the next screen, read the Terms of Service.
- Click Yes.
Turn on a virtual card on the Google Wallet website
- Go to wallet.google.com.
- On the left, click Payment methods.
- Select a payment method.
- Click Turn on.
Only eligible cards that support virtual card numbers have this option.
Tip: You can also turn on a virtual card number from the homepage. To turn on a virtual card, click Turn on.
If you can’t turn on a virtual card
Try to turn on your card again. If it doesn't work, contact your bank to confirm that your card is in good standing and eligible to be a virtual card.
Make a purchase with your virtual card
You can use your virtual card when you shop online. When you check out on a website:
- Choose the virtual card from your payment method options.
- Let Chrome fill in the payment info automatically. You may be asked to verify your identity with a code, fingerprint, or other method.
- Check out as usual.
Tip: If Chrome doesn’t automatically fill out the form after you select your virtual card, enter your virtual card info manually.
- At the bottom of the screen, click View card.
- Copy and paste or enter the card number, expiration date, and CVC.
- Finish checking out.
Common questions about virtual cards
How do I turn off a virtual card?
In Chrome settings on a computer
- Open Chrome
- Go to chrome://settings/payments.
- Next to the card that you want to remove, click More
- On the next screen, click Yes.
- Any virtual cards that you’ve used previously will no longer be active.
- Even after a virtual card is turned off, it may still be active outside of Google Pay.
- To suspend or cancel a virtual card outside of Google Pay, contact the card issuer.
Tip: To re-add a virtual card that you turned off, follow the steps above. This process can also turn on a new virtual card.
In Chrome settings on an Android device
- Open the Chrome app
- On the right of the address bar, tap More
- Tap Payment methods.
- Next to the virtual card you want to remove, tap More
- Any virtual cards that you’ve used previously will no longer be active.
- Even after a virtual card is turned off, it may still be active outside of Google Pay.
- To suspend or cancel a virtual card outside of Google Pay, contact the card issuer.
Tip: To re-add a virtual card that you turned off, follow the steps above. This process can also turn on a new virtual card.
On the Google Wallet website
- Go to wallet.google.com.
- On the left, click Payment methods.
- Select a payment method.
- Click Turn off.
- Virtual cards that you previously used are no longer available when you fill out forms automatically in Chrome.
- Even after a virtual card is turned off, it may still be active outside of Google Pay.
- To suspend or cancel a virtual card outside of Google Pay, contact the card issuer.
Only eligible cards that support virtual card numbers have this option.
Tip: To re-add a virtual card that you turned off, follow the steps above. This process can also turn on a new virtual card.
How can I find & manage my virtual card number?
- Go to wallet.google.com.
- Select Payment methods.
- Click the card.
- Click Manage virtual card.
- You’re taken to the card issuer website, where you can manage your virtual card.
Tip: If you make a transaction and turn off your virtual card, you can still find the card number on your card issuer website.
Is there a fee or charge to use a virtual card?
Do virtual cards have a single card number?
Do I have to reenter my virtual card info each time?
Does a virtual card mean that I have multiple cards with separate credit lines?
No, the virtual card number replaces your physical card number, but is used the same way. Your credit line, balance, fees, and transaction info stay the same. You use your virtual card number during the checkout process. Instead of your actual card info, the merchant gets your virtual card number, expiration date, and CVC.
Why am I asked to verify my identity?
Each time you use a virtual card to make a purchase, your bank and card network check if your transaction is secure.
This process may ask you to verify your identity. To continue, you may need to:
- Unlock your phone.
- Provide a code.
- Enter a card security code (CSC).
- Use another method.
If I lose my card, can someone create virtual cards with it?
Can I set up a virtual card to be used with only one merchant?
How do I fix a chargeback issue or unauthorized transaction?
Returns and in store pick ups
To make a return, or pick up an item in store that you bought with a virtual card, you may have to find the last 4 digits of your virtual card number. The last 4 digits of your virtual card are different from your physical card. To find the virtual card number, refer to the receipt from the merchant or go to your card issuer website. If neither of these have the last 4 digits you can contact your bank for support.
Return something you bought online with Google Pay
If you used Google Pay to buy something from a non-Google website or app, contact the merchant's customer support team. Refunds are deposited to your linked bank account.
Return a Google product
To return a purchase from Google, contact the support team for the product.
Fix issues with order delivery or quality
If the product or service you ordered was missing or unsatisfactory, to cancel the order or fix the issue, contact the merchant’s customer support.
Fix issues with incomplete payments to merchants
For more info on incomplete payments, contact your bank.