Whilst shopping online recently, I thought too myself, “when I am entering my credit card details they ask to enter my name as it appears on the card, my credit card number, the 3 digit CVV number on the back of the card, the cards expiry date and if my card is VISA or Mastercard.” Once all that is entered I have basically just shopped online.

Then I thought to myself, do I physically need to have a credit card to be able to shop online? And the answer was no. When I’m shopping online, no one is asking to see my credit card or I do not have to swipe it through some machine, all that is required is the information on the front and back of the credit. This then got me thinking that, I could easily have someone else’s credit card information and be able to shop online. The security is lacking when it comes to this aspect of shopping online.But then, if I want to shop online and there is no requirement to physically have a credit card, what’s stopping there from being a virtual credit card? A virtual credit card is a prepaid & non-reloadable card that works like a real credit card. It can be used at websites, online merchants, internet shops & web stores over the internet where payment by credit card is accepted. Basically when you order a virtual credit card you are emailed all the details you would need to shop online as if you had a physical credit card i.e. Your name, credit card number, CVV number and expiry date.

The process is fairly simple and works like a prepaid phone card. One orders a virtual credit card which comes in certain denominations such as $100, $200 or $500 etc. They are then sent the virtual credit card information via email and their ‘card’ is preloaded with their purchased amount. Once one has used up all the money in the card whilst shopping online they then purchase a new card and shop again.

It’s an interesting concept which should be introduced in South Africa to encourage more online shopping. To find out more about virtual credit cards and ordering one, you can visit www.card444.com

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