How to apply for virtual credit cards online?

Updated: Monday, June 3, 2013, 17:38 [IST]

Explained below are steps to apply online for SBI virtual card. Process will be similar to apply for cards with other banks too.

Step 1: Login to your online banking account (www.onlinesbi.com) and click on "Requests" tab and select "State Bank Virtual Card" option.

Step 2: Click on "Generate Virtual Card" tab.

Step 3: Enter the amount and select an account which will be debited for funding (initially lien-marking and later debiting) the Virtual Card.

Step 4: Enter the secure 8-digit password (OTP), received on your mobile.

Step 5: After successful validation, card image with card number, expiry date, etc will be displayed on the screen and your card is now created and available for online transaction.

*Note: Once you have used the card for online transaction, it expires. So, to execute another transaction, you will have to generate another virtual card by following above steps.

Also read: What are virtual credit cards? Also read: What are virtual credit cards?

When you should use your virtual credit card?

On websites where you don't have confidence about security of credit card details you share.
Share details of virtual credit card with your close friend / family member if they require for some online transaction or generate a virtual card for them as per limit they require. Here, you won't be sharing details of your primary credit card which can be misused.

Shall issue virtual credit card for yourself if you don't hold any credit card but have access to net banking facility or hold only debit card. This card will be helpful to complete your online transaction / shopping.

About the author: Hiral Thanawala is a PGDM (Finance) graduate and Certified Financial Planner with an experience of over 5 years in equity market and personal finance domain. The views explained by him are personal. He can be reached at [email protected]

Courtesy:www.investmentyogi.com