Gadgetory

got a minute here's how to use a virtual credit card to protect your real number when shopping online a virtual card is a temporary credit card number with expiry date and security code that's associated with your real card several US banks offer this feature like City Bank of America calls it shop safe customers can create a virtual card by clicking on the use shop safe link on the credit card activity screen privacy calm is a service that makes virtual numbers when you need them it's currently only available in the US and invader so you may have to add your email to a waiting list to gain access install the browser extension and click the icon in the toolbar you can choose an amount to allocate to the card you also have the option of creating a burner card this means once the number is used its self-destruct so can't be used again virtual credit cards only work for online purchases not for real-world transactions in San Francisco I'm Lexie savita's cnet.com for CBS News