I came across privacy.com, a service that generates virtual credit cards, like aliases for your real credit card that can be paused or discarded at any moment.

My own credit card company has this feature. But it requires a browser plugin that so obviously is there to track my spending habits, so I’ve not wanted to consider it. Privacy.com looks like a great alternative.

But is it even worth it? It may be a hastle, but I can also cancel my actual credit card at any moment and they will send me a new number immediately and a card a few days later. From a privacy prospective, how much can a company use my credit card credentials to track me? Maybe a third-party virtual card provider even masks my own purchases so not even my credit card company knows? Not sure about that one.

Please share if you use one, who its with, and if its worth it.

  • Empricorn
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    8
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    “Hacked”, people use this term way too often. If I create a card for Wingstop through Privacy, it’s locked to that merchant. So nobody can use it on Amazon or anywhere else, not even Privacy themselves! This is in addition to cards easily being created or deleted instantly.

    the less people have your information the better.

    Yes, that’s the entire point. Privacy has my payment info to complete transactions, just like any merchant would. But now, I never again have to provide my real name, email, phone number, or address, no matter who I purchase from online. I’ve “signed up” to local restaurants with 123 Fake Street and the transaction goes through…

    • Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      Unless I’m mistaken, only your zip code is needed for a credit transaction authorization. The rest of the address is just data collection. I have used fake street names numerous times for regular credit card transactions.