Is There a Bank of America Virtual Credit Card? The Answer
In an era marked by heightened online security concerns, virtual cards have emerged as a safe and convenient payment method. They mask your actual card numbers with randomly generated ones, fortifying your defense against potential cyber threats. Recently, virtual cards have become immensely popular, and, realizing their potential, many banks and fintech companies have started issuing them.
This article will explore whether it’s possible to get a Bank of America® virtual credit card. Read on to discover the answer as well as some alternative ways to shop safely with your Bank of America card.
The provided information is valid as of September 2023. Visit the official Bank of America website or contact the bank directly for the latest updates.
Does Bank of America Offer Virtual Credit Card Numbers?
No, Bank of America doesn’t issue virtual cards in the traditional sense, but it does provide other digital payment options that serve a similar purpose.
For example, it offers Virtual Travel Cards for businesses[1]. These are disposable virtual account numbers generated for each purchase[1]. Virtual Travel Cards enable managers to optimize their travel programs, implement stronger controls, and create fast and accurate expense reports with enriched transaction data[1].
Bank of America customers looking for a personal virtual card solution can access the following alternatives:
- Digital wallet integration
- Click to Pay
Digital Wallet Integration
By adding their physical Bank of America cards to a digital wallet app, the user can access digital versions of the cards from their mobile device, such as a smartphone or smartwatch[2]. Instead of having to carry a plastic card with them, the user can pay with the chosen device at checkout.
Digital wallets enhance the security of transactions as they never store the real card data on the user's device or share it with merchants[3]. Even if the device is stolen, the thief can’t access the digital wallet since it requires authentication in the form of a passcode, fingerprint scan, or facial recognition[4].
Bank of America also has a $0 Liability Guarantee, which ensures users aren’t responsible for any unauthorized charges on their cards, provided they report the issue timely[2].
Some of the digital wallet options that Bank of America supports include[2]:
- Google Pay™
- Apple Pay®
- Samsung Pay®
- PayPal®
- Fitbit Pay™
- Garmin Pay™
The user needs to set up their digital wallet first, after which they can use it to make purchases at participating vendors online, in-app, or in a physical store[2]. If they connect a debit card, they may also use the wallet to withdraw cash or make deposits at an ATM[3].
Bank of America also allows you to order a temporary debit card as a digital version of the card you’re waiting for. This can be requested via the mobile app and can connect to a digital wallet to use across stores and BofA ATMs that accept cardless payments.
How To Set Up and Use a Digital Wallet
Payment cards can be added to a digital wallet via the Bank of America Mobile App or directly in the digital wallet app[3].
The wallet can typically be used in the following ways:
| Online and In-App Payments |
The user should look for the logo of their digital wallet at checkout to find out if that payment option is available[2]. They can then select the payment method and, after logging into the digital wallet app on their phone, confirm the payment[2]. |
|---|---|
| In-Store Payments |
Physical stores that allow for contactless digital wallet payments can usually be identified by the Contactless Symbol[2] on the checkout terminal. To complete the payment, the user should hold their phone over the symbol on the payment terminal when prompted[2]. |
| ATMs |
Debit cardholders can use any Bank of America ATM with their digital wallet by tapping their phone against the Contactless Symbol[3]. |
While the setup and payment processes are similar for most digital wallets, the exact steps can vary depending on the specific app, device, and merchant.
Click To Pay
Click to Pay is an online checkout system that aims to elevate the buying experience, making it faster and more secure[5]. When the user adds their payment cards to Click to Pay, they can speed through checkouts without having to complete long forms or remember passwords[5].
Click to Pay is available with four well-known card financial companies[5][7]:
- Visa®
- Mastercard®
- Discover®
- American Express®
Although these brands collaborated to create Click to Pay, each one has its own Click to Pay portal, so users should visit the official websites of each card service to find more information on how to sign up[5]. Bank of America cards are usually Visa or Mastercard[6], so its customers should be able to use the Click to Pay service.
Click to Pay is available at participating online merchants that accept Visa or Mastercard cards[5][7]. The buyer can identify these merchants by the Click to Pay icon at checkout[5][7].
How To Set Up and Use Click To Pay
Since every card brand has a dedicated Click to Pay portal, the registration processes may differ. In general, the user should[5][7]:
- Sign up on the portal
- Select the Remember me option at checkout (to allow their device and browser to be recognized and avoid signing in for every transaction)
- Save their card information to their profile
The user may also be able to set up Click to Pay during checkout at participating merchants or through the bank’s website or app[5][7].
To make a purchase with Click to Pay, the user should select the Click to Pay option at checkout with participating merchants[5][7]. They may also need to verify their identity by entering the one-time passcode sent to their phone number or email address[7].
Although digital wallets and Click to Pay are convenient payment methods that help secure your transactions, you may want to consider getting virtual cards from an independent provider such as Privacy. Besides bank-level security assurances, Privacy gives you greater control over your spending and has robust customization options, making it a more practical option.
Privacy Virtual Cards—Redefining Payment Security
Privacy Virtual Cards fortify your defense against potential threats during online transactions. You can connect the virtual cards to your bank account or debit card and use them for purchases anywhere U.S. Visa or Mastercard cards are accepted.
Privacy Cards are also easy to use, especially when paired with the browser extension, which auto-populates card details at checkout. You can make purchases quickly and seamlessly without having to reach for your wallet or type in card details manually. The current supported browsers are Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. The Safari extension also has a mobile version that can be leveraged on iPhones and iPads.
Enjoy the Various Card Management Features
When creating virtual cards, you can choose between two types:
With Privacy, you get full control of your virtual cards’ settings:
- Spending limits—You can set spending limits on your cards to prevent overcharging from sneaky merchants and facilitate budget management.
- Pausing/unpausing and closing—You can pause and close virtual cards without affecting your real bank account or debit card. Privacy will decline all charges to the paused or closed card, which can be beneficial if you’re being charged for an unwanted subscription when you’re in the middle of a cancellation process.
When you’re on the go, you can use Privacy’s mobile app to generate and manage your virtual cards. You can also monitor your account activity and get notified every time a card is used or declined, ensuring swift detection in case of unauthorized charges. The Privacy app is available for iOS and Android devices.
How Privacy Secures Your Transactions and Data
Privacy employs top-of-the-line security protocols to ensure the protection of its users’ data. It follows OWASP secure coding practices and payment card industry (PCI) compliance guidelines, establishing a secure system that’s on par with the most credible banks.
Some of the most notable security measures Privacy implements include:
- Split-key encryption of sensitive data
- Password hashing to reduce the risk of rainbow table attacks
- Customer data stored on secure and remote hardware
- Server firewalls updated with the latest security patches
- Two-factor authentication and one-time passcodes to verify a user’s identity
As a holder of the Better Business Bureau® accreditation, Privacy demonstrates its commitment to providing exceptional customer service. It was also included in Forbes’s “Top 100 Most Consumer-Centric Companies of 2022” list.
Requesting Privacy Virtual Cards
To become a Privacy user and start creating secure virtual cards, take the following steps:
- Create an account
- Enter the details needed to verify your identity
- Connect a debit card or bank accounts
- Request a Privacy Virtual Card
U.S. residents over 18 years old with a checking account at a U.S. bank or credit union are eligible to sign up for Privacy.
Privacy’s Personal plan is free for domestic purchases and includes up to 12 virtual cards per month. You’ll also be able to use the browser extensions, mobile app, spending limits, and the card pausing and closing feature.
If you need additional cards, you can opt for one of the paid plans—Pro ($10/month) or Premium ($25/month). These plans allow you to generate up to 60 cards a month and include:
- Priority support
- No foreign transaction fees
- 1% cashback on eligible purchases (totaling up to $4,500 a month)
- Masking of transaction details on your bank statement
- Waived foreign transaction fees
References
[1] Bank of America. https://business.bofa.com/en-us/content/virtual-travel-cards.html, sourced September 2023
[2] Bank of America. https://promotions.bankofamerica.com/digitalbanking/mobilebanking/digitalwallets, sourced September 2023
[3] Bank of America. https://bettermoneyhabits.bankofamerica.com/en/personal-banking/what-is-a-digital-wallet, sourced September 2023
[4] Bank of America. https://bettermoneyhabits.bankofamerica.com/en/personal-banking/how-to-pay-with-your-phone-using-digital-wallets, sourced September 2023
[5] Mastercard. https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/frequently-asked-questions.html, sourced September 2023
[6] Bank of America. https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/, sourced September 2023
[7] Visa. https://usa.visa.com/pay-with-visa/checkout-faq.html#Security_and_information_handling, sourced September 2023
Other Virtual Card Resources to Help Find Your Fit
Here are some guides about the different virtual card offerings from other banks and financial service providers.
