Do you issue virtual debit cards? A virtual bank card is a banking product that makes it possible to make purchases on the Internet with minimal risks. They do not provide a plastic copy. Usually issued by Visa or MasterCard payment systems.

A virtual card without a passport can be issued at almost any major bank in Russia. It is offered by institutions and payment systems:

• Tinkoff;
• Kviku,
• Qiwi and others.

You can open an account or buy a card at home using access to Personal Area. All that remains is to register it in the system and, if necessary, link it to a credit card.

Design and types of virtual bank cards

An online virtual card for payment on the Internet can be issued after specifying your passport details. The limit and number of operations that can be performed depend on the completeness of personal data. There are restrictions for safety:

• validity period;
• simultaneous payment amount;
• write-off limit.

Some Russian banks offer disposable electronic virtual cards. They are considered more secure, but servicing such accounts is often more expensive. Just like normal credit card, prepaid has:

• your number;
• owner;
• three-digit cvc code.

How to choose a virtual debit card on the site?

A virtual debit card can be ordered very quickly on our website. You can find cards with bonuses and discounts, a specific payment system, or cards that earn interest on the balance. Some institutions suggest spending no more than 15 seconds per order when using online banking.

In 2020, you can open a free virtual card online. Please note: you can select the account currency and activate the SMS alert service. You can also order a virtual card through mobile banking.

Transactions with electronic money no longer surprise almost anyone. But it is very difficult to figure out which card will offer Better conditions, will help you save your own money.

Gazprombank: description of the MasterCard WebCard program

This is an example of an international payment instrument. There is no magnetic stripe. The product is specially designed so that users make payments in online stores and do not worry about their security. To register, you need to visit the main office or one of the branches. All details for making payments are provided to the citizen immediately after the registration is completed.

Replenishment is available in several ways: transfer of funds from the main account, through a payment terminal and through the cash register. The card itself belongs to the so-called multicurrency varieties. There are the following features that users may encounter during operation:

1. Validity period: 1-2 years.
2. 85 ruble commission per issue. Reissue is also paid at this rate.
3. Issue/reissue costs 160 rubles when we are talking about additional copies.
4. An account statement from this bank costs users 50 rubles.

When a debit card is used to make transactions and work with online stores, no additional fees are charged.

If desired, you can activate the SMS notification service. Many virtual Visa and MasterCard cards work according to this scheme; the service can be connected to any option for free.

Rosselkhozbank: MasterCard Virtual

This is a type of card that is not issued on physical media at all. Bank employees do not even take on the development of a special design. Details are issued only to the client using a bank check. Or they can be obtained online. The card supports multiple currencies. And it is issued only to accounts that were opened previously. A debit card can be issued either at the office or at the nearest machine.

• The use is associated with some features. It should be noted here:
• connecting the SMS notification service if necessary;
• inability to unblock a card if it has already been closed once;
• high degree of security thanks to the use of a 3-D password;
• no commissions when paying for online purchases;
• use of several currencies during storage;

The card is closed automatically for the last day of the next month after the month in which the opening took place.

The short validity period is precisely the main disadvantage.

In this case, the absence of physical media is also characteristic. But at the same time, Sberbank still created a special design for this payment instrument. An excellent option for those who often shop in online stores. Any data on transactions is displayed in the bank’s online service. Debit virtual cards are issued without problems to clients who already use any of the institution’s services. The parties only need to sign the agreement before the details of one of them are transferred.

When used, the following features are characteristic:

• availability of all functionality included in the Mobile Bank program;
• managing funds through an account in the Sberbank Online system;
• Optionally, you can connect notifications via SMS;
• the ability to link to a wallet electronically;
• Every year the client is charged 60 rubles for service;
• Only rubles are supported;
• before three years In general, the expiration date is reached.

Each client can have only one copy of a virtual type card.

PromsvyazBank: virtual paid Visa card

To issue a card, it is not necessary to have the status of an existing client of this institution. But it is precisely this status that will allow you to go through the procedure for concluding an agreement in a simplified manner. With this option, online purchases will also be profitable.

The main points for clients are as follows:

1. Free use of PSB-Retail functionality.
2. If the replenishment is made from an account at Promsvyaz Bank, it will be free. But for using other structures a commission of 1.9% is charged.
3. Possibility to block the card if it is no longer needed.
4. Regular customers can count on limits of up to 300 thousand, and for other categories of citizens they reach up to 15 thousand.
5. New users will face a monthly transaction limit of 40 thousand rubles. Regular customers do not face such restrictions.
6. If you wish, you can use SMS notification.
7. Valid for only three months. The establishment does not yet issue a virtual MasterCard for free.

Visa Virtual: offer from the Bank of Moscow

Also applies when making any payments through online stores. Replenishment is carried out in any way that is most convenient for the user. These are postal transfers according to the standard scheme, transfers from other banks.

When receiving cards, clients are subject to certain requirements:

• connection to an account that is already active;
• registration with a 60-ruble commission;
• the application is completed immediately at the branch after receiving the details;
• availability of “stream client” status.

As for the conditions of use, they are described as follows:

1. SMS informing. During the first two months it is free. Starting from the third, 49 rubles are charged for it every 30 days.
2. Blocking and unblocking are carried out free of charge.
3. The spending limit every month is up to 15 thousand rubles.
4. Service costs 60 rubles.
5. Maintains validity for six months. Creating a virtual MasterCard card is not difficult.

Until the main validity period expires, the client can renew it. The virtual account ceases to be valid at the same moment as the main one. It does not matter when the last extension was carried out.

Alfa-Bank: Master Card Virtual

The card helps customers protect themselves when carrying out any transactions using the services of online stores. This payment tool can be obtained by a client who has registered in the Alfa-Click system or purchased a card from the same bank.

The features of the card itself will be as follows:

1. Free SMS notification connection.
2. Support only rubles as the main currency.
3. Management using the Alpha Click functionality.
4. Replenishment using any convenient scheme.
5. The cost of issue is 49 rubles.
6. You can’t do without connecting to a debit type account. A virtual bank card is a convenient tool for everyone.

MasterCard from Yandex.Money

The card is issued free of charge, and the document is officially valid for one year. Among the mandatory conditions is linking to a telephone account number. If the user maintains his anonymity, he will not be able to pay when using the services of online stores abroad. Limits on transactions – 40 thousand for the whole month, 15 thousand at a time. If the wallet is personalized, then the owner can spend 60 thousand one time, and up to 200 thousand rubles in just 30 days. Identified cards have even fewer restrictions - one-time 250 thousand and monthly six million. You no longer have to figure out what a virtual card is and what it means for the buyer.

Features of the Qiwi Visa card

Virtual cards are convenient because they make paying for services and goods on the Internet even simpler and accessible to absolutely everyone. The Visa card from the Qiwi system occupies one of the leading positions in this area.

This instrument remains valid for two months and requires the opening of a separate account. Moreover, several cards can be linked to the same wallet at once. On Qiwi Visa Virtual, a minimum denomination of 30 thousand rubles or thousands of dollars is deposited, but this amount is distributed over the entire validity period. The issue costs 2.5% of the deposited amount. Usually the commission is 25 rubles and large amounts. If you want to issue a card with support for dollars, then you deposit 1 dollar.

There is a second card, which is simply called Qiwi Visa Card. It also has its own conditions, namely:

1. Linking to a Qiwi wallet account.
2. There are no additional fees required for registration and maintenance.
3. Valid for two years.
4. When using rubles, the limit is 600 thousand, and in dollars – 1000.

The main convenience of virtual cards is the absence of the possibility of spoiling something. There are only details transmitted to a specific person. Essentially, this is a type of cloud technology that Internet communications allow you to work with. There are the following benefits that will be available to owners of such cards:

1. Lack of physical media makes the card itself impossible to steal. Another person simply will not be able to use the details.
2. There is also no PIN code. This also leads to the fact that unauthorized people cannot use funds tied to a specific account.
3. Storing details as a combination of numbers. And it’s difficult to recognize because it’s not printed anywhere. The numbers are stored in a special virtual registry or transmitted only to the user himself. Obtaining data involves using the online mode or visiting the office.
4. Creating limits on money used– from additional safety measures. Any virtual Visa debit card has this advantage.

Most virtual cards are debit cards, not credit cards. That’s why it’s so important to limit the possibility of making calculations. Especially if the information ends up in the hands of criminals.

Finally, virtual cards are created in just a few clicks. It's no more difficult than getting yourself a virtual mailbox. The most popular option is prepaid cards, that is, when the client deposits a certain amount into his account in advance. In this case, it is not even necessary to conclude additional contracts upon release. Therefore, the name of the card holder is not a mandatory requirement; everything is done anonymously.

Hello, dear readers!

In this article we will talk about virtual cards. Today, virtual cards are issued by many banks and payment systems. Let us understand why a virtual card is needed at all, how to use it and which VKs are better?

Why do we need virtual cards?

E-commerce and digital money are growing faster than the global economy. Already today, many people increasingly make purchases on the Internet, and only go to a real store for groceries.

It is very convenient to select the desired product directly from your screen, look at reviews and pay for it immediately. Be it a small keychain, a new cell phone, a bathroom cabinet, whatever. In fact, now there are already real estate transactions, discussions and conclusions that take place online.

Virtual cards are designed to help us manage our finances online. The digital card will be useful to us both for earning money and for shopping. Well, if necessary, we can always make a regular plastic card, the balance of which will duplicate the balance of the virtual card.

Still, the digital version of the card has several advantages over the plastic one.

Virtual card: pros and cons

Firstly, a virtual card is usually cheaper than a plastic one. This is understandable. Issuers (those who issue cards) do not need to spend money on production, storage and employees who will distribute cards. Often, virtual cards are completely free. But we’ll talk about this a little later.

Secondly, a virtual card cannot be lost, bent, forgotten in a trouser pocket or washed :) It cannot be physically stolen. At the same time, the security of a virtual card is exactly the same as that of a regular one (there is also a link to a phone and a PIN code, if necessary).

Third, you don’t need to go to the bank to get a virtual card. It can be obtained online.

Fourthly, virtual cards can be anonymous. If the limit of 15,000 rubles per transaction is enough for you, then you do not need to transfer personal information to the bank (or payment system) at all.

Add to this the cultural factor, which is not unimportant for young people. It's amazing, but when you pay modern methods(yes, even by phone), people look at you like natives from the 16th century look at a lighter. 🙂

What can we say about virtual cards? In a word, it’s just fast, safe, cheap, and even fashionable.

OK. We've sorted out the advantages. Now let's see what disadvantages virtual cards have:

• You cannot withdraw cash from a VK at an ATM, since our ATMs must have something inserted in order to work. True, some of the most advanced terminals already have the ability to work with virtual cards (including withdrawing cash);
• for the same reason, virtual cards cannot be used to pay in regular stores. But, again, there is a solution: link a virtual card to your phone and pay with your phone (today a huge number of models support this function).

How to use a virtual card

You can use a virtual card in the same way as a regular one: to receive and store money, for transfers and to pay for goods/services.

The only difference is that a virtual card is more “tailored” for online use, while a plastic card is needed for payments “the old fashioned way”, that is, for purchases, a personal presence is generally required.

The virtual card has exactly the same type of details as the plastic one. There is a card number, a three-digit code (CVC/CVC2/CVV code) and expiration date. When ordering a card, this data will be sent to you via SMS.

Virtual card details can be used to receive salaries by simply transferring them to your accountants/HR officers.

Topping up a virtual card can also be done through Internet banking, most electronic payment systems, or through one of the electronic exchange offices.

The simplest thing is to make a regular transfer using the card number.

Which virtual card to choose

Every day more and more companies offer us their virtual cards. These include banks and payment systems and even mobile operators. How to understand all this diversity and which card to choose?

In fact, there are quite a lot of differences between cards from different issuers, ranging from the cost of service, expiration dates and ending with transaction limits.

Let's look at key information about the most popular virtual cards, and then compare them and draw conclusions.

Sberbank

This is the largest credit organisation of Eastern Europe and the most expensive brand in Russia. In terms of the number of clients, Sberbank is far ahead of its closest pursuers, the banks. And, it is logical that Sberbank was one of the first to offer virtual cards to its clients.

Sberbank in last years strives to become the most high-tech bank in Russia and was one of the first to offer virtual cards to customers

Any Sberbank client can order a card. This can be done by calling 8-800-200-37-47, or in person at any client office. Surprisingly, it is not yet possible to order a virtual card either in Sberbank online or in mobile banking.

Sberbank issues virtual Visa and Mastercard cards of the simplest class. Such a card will have a standard 16-digit number and a 3-digit CVC2 code.

The card is issued for three years. The cost of maintenance is 60 rubles per year. It is possible to order prepaid debit card for 15,000 rubles without providing documents at all.

Tinkoff

known for its specialization in online services. This credit institution has practically no client offices. Thanks to this, the bank does not have significant costs either for maintaining premises or for a large staff, and many services are offered much cheaper than other banks.

A Tinkoff virtual card is created immediately after registration on the bank’s website

Tinkoff began issuing virtual cards en masse in May 2016. In fact, a virtual card is created when registering on the site. It takes 15 seconds and all you need is a phone number.

A MasterCard card is created with standard details for a period of one year. Issuing and servicing the card is free. Also, almost all operations up to 40,000 rubles are free. If more, then a commission of 2% is taken.

You can create a map online from a computer, tablet, mobile phone and any device that has an Internet browser.

PromSvyazBank virtual card

has always been a strong middle peasant in the banking system of our country. This credit institution is confidently among the TOP 15 banks in terms of assets and number of clients. And if we talk only about the retail segment, then Promsvyazbank’s position is even higher.

Promsvyazbank's online banking is also one of the best, simple and convenient. I judge this from my own many years of experience. Really, everything is done very conveniently. This is how you can order a virtual card through online banking.

The Promsvyazbank virtual card is issued for 2 years. The advantages of this card are the absence of limits, high security (3D-Secure) and the ability to create a card in dollars. The downside is the cost of maintenance is 120 rubles per year, which is higher than many competitors.

You can also order a prepaid Visa Virtual Card with a limit of 15,000 rubles, but without any documents at all.

Alfa Bank

It is also one of the leaders in the banking services market. Moreover, not only Russian, but also other Eastern European countries.

Alfa Bank virtual card is one of the cheapest to service

Today, Alfa-Bank is a diversified group of companies, which has its own broker and depository and even a research laboratory. It is not at all surprising that Alfa is among the first to offer the latest payment solutions, including virtual cards.

Moreover, Alpha offers a whole range of VCs, with different statuses. Their cost varies from 49 rubles for a prepaid card to 99 rubles per year for a regular VK with maximum security and a bonus system from Alfa-Bank.

You can open a virtual card through Internet banking. True, a mandatory requirement is the presence of a regular plastic card in this bank.

Virtual card Megafon

The largest mobile operator in Russia also decided to keep up and began distributing its cards. Both regular and virtual (MegaFon-Visa).

To get a virtual card

You need to be their client (have their SIM card). Dial the command on your phone * 455 * 1 # And The card details will be sent in a reply SMS.

The card balance will be equal to the amount on your mobile phone account. The commission for payments to such a card will be 5 rubles + 1.5% of the payment amount.

However, it should be noted that Megafon has now begun to limit the issuance of virtual cards, since this service is not particularly popular with them.

The virtual card, in my opinion, is one of the most interesting.

The Yandex V-card is one of the best: easy to use and free. But it only works with rubles.

The card is issued in a couple of clicks, that is, in a few seconds. Issue and maintenance are free. There are no commissions for payments. Transfers through the mobile application are free.

The card balance duplicates the Yandex.Money balance. And, this gives a couple of significant advantages.

Firstly, we ourselves can choose the level of anonymity and, accordingly, the limits.

Secondly, we can pay not only where cards are accepted for payment, but also where Yandex.Money is accepted.

I see only one downside to this card. You can only select rubles as the currency. True, automatic conversion works well (according to the internal MasterCard rate + 2%).

The Yandex virtual card is created like a MasterCard and has standard details. Validity period is one year.

QIWI virtual card

They offer us an excellent, secure virtual card with no service fee. The card balance will correspond to the balance on the QIWI wallet.

The peculiarities of the QIWI virtual card are that it is issued as a Visa. Validity period - 2 years.

The commission for replenishing a card is 2.5%, and for a transfer - 2%. In my opinion, this is a fairly high commission.

It is also possible to order an anonymous prepaid card with a balance of up to 15,000 rubles.

AdvCash virtual card

The payment system also makes it possible to create virtual cards. The card will be convenient, for example, for those who earn money by investing in. Well, or for those who need a dollar (euro) virtual card for online purchases.

The AdvCash virtual card costs $4 (from $1 - the cost of the card and $3 - the commission for paying the cost of the card). In my opinion, the price is too high :)

Card maintenance is free, and the validity period is 3 years. There are no internal commissions for purchases or transfers.

The card is created as a MasterCard, has standard details and duplicates the balance of your AdvCash account.

You can order this card anonymously (without identification). The card is created instantly and can be ordered immediately after a short registration in the system.

Comparison of different virtual cards

Map	Card type	Term	Commissions	Conditions
Sberbank	Visa or Mastercard (RUR)	3 years	Maintenance: 60 rub./year Transfers: from 0% (to Sberbank clients) to 3% (to other banks)	Availability of a Sberbank plastic card
Tinkoff	Mastercard (RUR)	1 year	Service: free Transfers: 2% on transactions > 40,000 rubles, 0% on transactions<40 000 руб.	-
Promsvyazbank	Mastercard (RUR, USD, EUR)	2 years	Maintenance: 120 rub/year Transfers: 1% (to PSB clients), 1.5% (to another bank)	-
Alfa Bank	Mastercard (RUR)	2 years	Maintenance: up to 99 RUR/year Transfers: 0% (to clients A-B), 1.95% (to another bank)	Availability of an Alfa-Bank plastic card
Megaphone	Visa (RUB)	6 months	Service: free Transfers: 1.5% + 5 rub.	-
Yandex	Mastercard (RUR)	1 year	Service: free Transfers: 0% (to Yandex wallets), 3.5% +15 rub. (to other cards)	-
QIWI	Visa (RUB)	3 years	Maintenance: 2.5% for replenishment Transfers: 0% (to QIWI wallets), 2% (to other cards)	-
AdvCash	Mastercard (USD, EUR)	3 years	Maintenance: $4 per issue Transfers: no commission	-

Once again, I would like to repeat separately that in addition to the standard virtual cards indicated in the table, each of these companies additionally offers prepaid (absolutely anonymous) cards with a limit of up to 15,000 rubles. Fifteen thousand is a limitation of Russian legislation introduced to combat the legalization of proceeds from crime.

I will also add that virtual cards of Sberbank, PSB, Alfa-Bank and Yandex can be linked to your mobile device via Android Pay/Apple Pay/Samsung Pay and pay in regular stores by phone. However, this requires an NFC chip in the phone. Most modern devices in the middle and high price segments today are equipped with this chip.

Results of comparison of virtual cards

The table shows that almost every card has some of its own characteristics, both positive and negative. Objectively, outspoken leaders and outsiders cannot be distinguished here.

In my opinion, it is most convenient to use virtual cards from Sberbank, Yandex and AdvCash.

The Sberbank card is convenient because the number of Sberbank clients in Russia is very large. This means that most transfers/payments can be paid with either a minimum commission or no commission at all. Plus, the cost of servicing the card is not high, and the term is maximum.

The Yandex card is good, simple and has no requirements for release. It’s also convenient that transfers to other Yandex.Money users can be made without commission. And in general, you can pay where cards are not accepted, but Yandex.Money is accepted. By the way, Yandex.Money is now very popular and more widespread than ever on the Internet.

The Advanced Cash card is useful because it can be denominated in dollars. Of course, its advantages will be appreciated by those who receive income from an AdvCash wallet and those who would like to receive a virtual card with maximum anonymity.

Other v-cards are also good, but in their own way. The Promsvyazbank QIWI card has many advantages. Which card is closer to you?

I would be grateful for your opinions, questions and comments about virtual cards.

I wish you all profitable investments!

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Since a virtual card cannot be inserted into an ATM, it can only be used to pay for purchases and services on the Internet.

Advantages of a virtual card

The main feature of this card is that it is designed to protect the funds on the main card account and serves as an additional measure for secure payment via the Internet.

To pay for a purchase in an online store, you transfer a specific purchase amount from your main card to a virtual card. You receive a one-time password from the bank (SMS) and make a payment. The card balance is reset to zero, which eliminates the possibility of theft of funds from it, while protecting the details and funds of the main card, since you did not use them.

To pay for purchases online, the SMS banking service must be connected to your main plastic card.
The main advantage of a virtual card is that you do not use plastic bank card data when paying for purchases or services via the Internet.
In addition, you can set a daily limit for spending money from a virtual card and receive SMS notifications about the movement of these funds.

The low cost of such a card makes it possible to open an unlimited number of them, which in some cases becomes a justified and reliable method of protection.

How to use a virtual card

It is best to explain the process of using a card using a specific example. Let's assume that you need to buy a train ticket. On the website of the company that sells train tickets, you select the option that suits you and decide to pay for it.

However, you have already heard many times about the theft of payment data of a plastic card and therefore there is no particular desire to indicate them on an unfamiliar site. Moreover, after payment there will still be a considerable amount left on the card account. In such a situation, a virtual card will reliably help you out. You create it and transfer the amount of ticket prices from your main bank card account to it.

After paying for train tickets, you can completely close this virtual card, and for the next purchase create a new card, with a new number and password.

Virtual cards of Sberbank of Russia Visa Virtual, MasterCard Virtual

What is required to receive a virtual card? Almost all banks have the same requirements. Let's look at how to open it in Sberbank.

Sberbank offers to issue a virtual card only to owners of Sberbank debit cards. Please note that a credit bank card is not suitable for these purposes. Only the card that contains “your” money, in the form of salary, pension, etc.

As mentioned above, additional SMS banking and Internet banking services must be connected to the main card. That is, first you need to connect the Sberbank Online service and the Mobile Bank service to your main Sberbank bank card of the Visa or MasterCard payment system, since the virtual card code CVV2/CVC2 is sent to your mobile phone in the form of an SMS message, and the actions on the card are carried out in your personal account "Sberbank Online".

A 16-digit number is created for the virtual card, and the validity period of the card is also indicated, which can be found on your page in Sberbank Online.
You can top up the balance of a newly created card by transferring from your main debit card through Sberbank Online or through Sberbank ATMs and terminals.

You can have several types of bank cards, including several debit cards, but you can only have one virtual card, one for each payment system, namely, one Visa Virtual and one MasterCard Virtual payment system card.

If you have difficulties applying for a virtual card, you can get a free consultation on your Sberbank Online page.

How to create a virtual Sberbank card

The application form is intuitive for any user; we will only focus on the most important points.

Indicate the mobile phone number at which it will be convenient for you to receive SMS at any time. SMS passwords and alerts will be sent to this number.

When choosing an economical package for the Mobile Bank service, there is no subscription fee, but there are a number of restrictions, for example, the bank will not inform you about the receipt or withdrawal of money from a virtual card.

If you make a mistake while filling out the application, it can be easily corrected. There is an "Edit" link for this purpose. Click on it and you will be returned to the application details page.

If you need to print the application, click the "Print application" button.

In the Sberbank Online system you can always turn to a consultant for help, don’t forget about it.

What else you need to know about a virtual card

In addition to the virtual card number and CVV2 or CVC2 code number, the owner also indicates his first and last name in Latin transcription.
To block a virtual card, for example, if you have forgotten the CVV2/CVC2 code, you should call the Sberbank Help Desk and ask to block the card. This card is no longer suitable for further use and therefore you will need to issue an early release of the blocked virtual card.

To close a virtual card, you must again call the Sberbank Help Desk and submit an order to close it. First, do not forget to transfer the balance of the virtual card to the main card account on your Sberbank OnL@yn page.

The cost of issuing one virtual card is 60 rubles. Funds from the main card account are debited the next day after the virtual card is issued.

Publication date: 19/02/2014

The CVV2 or CVC2 code is used for secure payment for purchases and services on the Internet. This code is an additional security measure and consists of three digits. Where is the CVV2 or CVC2 security code? On the back of the card, on the strip where you signed.

When using a card for various transactions, sometimes you have to indicate the bank card account number. Especially often, bank employees require you to indicate the bank card account number when performing operations to credit funds or transfers to the card.

Not all types of cards can be used to open a virtual payment card. For example, Sberbank offers to open it only for debit cards on which your savings are stored or your salary is credited, etc.

What do you need to know to safely withdraw money from an ATM and pay for purchases and services with a card? In this article we provide recommendations from the Leaflet of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation on measures for the safe use of bank cards.

But, if you enter the wrong PIN code three times, the card will be automatically blocked by the bank. Just four digits of the card code can cause big troubles if you treat them carelessly, let alone allow strangers to recognize them.

ATM designers have already simplified this operation so much, and it seems like this is not the first time that you have to deposit money onto a card, but still sometimes difficulties arise.

It can be described like this:

• This is a standard-shaped piece of plastic with metal inserts and individual numbers.
• The card gives access to card account funds, allows you to withdraw cash, pay through terminals and on the Internet, deposit funds into the card account and store them there.
• Each card has security features such as a PIN code and CVV2/CVC2 code; these codes are entered to conduct transactions with card account funds. Without their knowledge, operations are impossible.

A virtual bank card differs from a plastic bank card in that:

• It does not have a material carrier (plastic), but only numbers and codes.
• It cannot be inserted into a terminal or other reading device, so the virtual card is not assigned a PIN code.
• For the same reason, you cannot directly withdraw cash from a virtual card at an ATM.

Since during remote operations, that is, payments via the Internet, the card’s material carrier (plastic) is not used, a virtual card is suitable for such operations, just like a plastic one.

A virtual card has only one unconditional advantage over plastic: a virtual card does not require material production, therefore it is issued faster and is cheaper for the user.

• They usually pay with virtual cards in online stores and other similar services.
• Virtual cards are a full-fledged tool for Internet banking and mobile banking.
• Some operations with virtual cards can be carried out through some terminals.
• Virtual cards are accepted for payments all over the world, therefore they constitute a real alternative to electronic money.

Why do you need a virtual bank card?

The main danger when making payments on the Internet is the risk that card data may be somehow stolen. As a result, attackers will gain access to the card account and will be able to steal money from it.

• The main purpose of a virtual card is safer payments on the Internet. To do this, a card account is created, separate from the main one, which will contain relatively small amounts necessary for future payments.
• You can top up your virtual card in different ways, including from your main card. But even hacking a virtual card does not give access to the main card account.
• Another reason to get a virtual card may be to separate remote payments from spending in the “real world.” But this already applies to the field of personal finance management.
• Sometimes a virtual card is purchased because another card is not suitable for online payments. This happens with low-class salary cards based on regional payment systems.
• Virtual cards can be used not only for spending, but for receiving and storing money. This may be convenient for those who have additional income from remote work, etc.

Characteristics and features of virtual cards

A virtual bank card must have:

• individual number;
• validity period (year and month of its expiration);
• CVV2/CVC2 code is, to a certain extent, an analogue of a PIN code for remote operations.

Usually virtual ones are issued with registered funds, that is, having a specific owner of the funds, but they can also be anonymous.

Virtual cards differ by bank account type into:

• (occur less frequently);
• debit – for settlements using the client’s own funds;
• prepaid - the same as debit, but the amount on the card account is predetermined.

A virtual card is sometimes offered as an addition to the main bank card. This is done just to separate the account for security purposes.

The validity period of a virtual card is usually shorter than that of a plastic card. Also for safety reasons. Such cards are cheaper to change than to protect.

How to get a virtual bank card?

This usually happens the same way as with all other cards - after contacting the bank, during a personal visit or online, through the website.

Sometimes you can get a virtual bank card for free in addition to the main one. A successful marketing move for the bank. The costs of creating a virtual card are minimal, the service price is not high, but the movement on the card account is significantly quickened, and there is an incentive to keep more funds in the account (i.e. in the bank).

Another interesting proposal was the independent issuance of cards by the client. A simple software algorithm allows the user to create a virtual card using Internet banking. The client receives the data of the new card: number, code and other details, and can begin transactions with it.

Are virtual bank cards safe?

They are as safe as the “plastic” we are used to, and in some ways more so.

This happens because a bank card is only a “remote key” to the account funds, which for both the virtual and physical cards are located in the bank. Entering a PIN code in the terminal at the supermarket checkout and entering a CVC2 code in an online store triggers the same operation - transferring the client’s money from his card account to the seller of the product or service.

On the one hand, a virtual card is even safer, since the plastic card can be stolen and funds withdrawn from it. Hackers have the same opportunity to “hack” and steal funds from any card that was used to pay on the Internet.

But owners of a virtual card may be let down by the habit of recording and storing all data in one place. A piece of paper, flash drive or phone with information can also be lost. But this is more a matter of time and practice - plastic card holders have already learned not to write a PIN code on the card, which means that Virtuon users will also learn the safety rules.

What virtual cards are offered in Russia?

• credit;
• debit;
• prepaid.

The first ones are still rare. And this is justified - for whom will a loan that is only allowed to be paid online be convenient? But as an addition to the main credit card, a virtual one can be very useful.

In Russia, the main array of virtual cards consists of debit payment cards.

Prepaid cards are somewhat similar to gift certificates. They are sold by banks at the cost of funds on the card account (plus a certain amount for the service). Such a card can be anonymous. But since “nameless” payments in Russia are limited to 15,000 rubles, the limits of these cards are also small. Prepaid virtual cards can be "disposable" - they cannot be topped up.

You can get an idea about Russian virtual bank cards using the example of such cards from Yandex.

Sberbank's conditions look like this:

• cost of issuing a virtual card is 60 rubles;
• Card validity period – 3 years;
• the card is issued to Sberbank clients who have already received a debit card from this institution;
• To use a virtual card, you must activate the Sberbank Online or Mobile Bank service;
• Only one Visa Virtual and one MasterCard Virtual standard card is issued.

Virtual is also a payment service, although it is not a banking service.

But the Yandex product has all the capabilities of a virtual bank card.

• the Yandex.Money virtual card is issued not to the card account, but to the Yandex.Money electronic wallet;
• Paying with this card is only possible online; cash withdrawals and payments are not available in traditional stores;
• the card and wallet have a common balance;
• Money is debited in the same way when paying by card or from a wallet;
• The card limit is determined by the wallet limit;
• The Yandex.Money virtual card is free, but fees are charged for some additional services: SMS notifications, certain transfers;
• Regular payments with this virtual card are free;
• The Yandex.Money virtual card is valid for 1 year.

Everything described here does not exhaust the topic of virtual bank cards. This segment of the financial market is developing dynamically and offers new, unparalleled opportunities.