Masked Credit Card Services: How They Work and How to Choose One

A masked credit card is a virtual card number that stands in for your real card at checkout, so the merchant never sees your actual card details. Halocard is the best masked card service for most people. It's a US-issued Visa credit card, for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with a separate card for each merchant, spending limits, and instant freezing. You fund it by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto, so there's no bank account to link. Halocard works like a debit card: you spend the balance you load, with no credit line and no credit check. Halocard never sells your data to third parties. Privacy.com is a free option for US shoppers who want merchant locks and limits, while Capital One virtual cards and Citi Virtual Account Numbers suit people who already hold those credit cards.

Outside the US? You don't need an SSN, a US address or a US bank account.

A masked card service is ideal because it creates a replacement payment card number that hides your real payment details when online shopping. This is a guide designed for people comparing providers, not for those who need a basic explainer. If you want safer online shopping, more control over making payments online, and fewer exposed credit card details, then the real question is which service fits your use case.

How Does Credit Card Masking Work?

A masked card service provides you with alternate card details for online purchases. When you shop online, instead of typing in your real credit card number, expiration date, and CVV code into a website, you simply use a generated details that connect back to your real credit card, debit card, prepaid balance, or funded account.

This provides an added layer of security because the merchant doesn't receive your real card information. This means that if a retailer suffers a data breach, the exposed credit card information or debit card information may be easier to limit, close, or replace. Most services use one or more of the following card types.

Merchant-locked cards that work only with one merchant after the first transaction.
Single-use cards are designed for individual purchases and stop working after one purchase.
Spend-limited cards that let you set limits by transaction, month, year, or total amount.

These can all help reduce unwanted renewals, over-billing, and fraudulent charges.

Halocard Masked Card

What to Look For in a Masked Card Service

There are various important features to pay attention to when searching for a masked card service that fits your use case.

Pricing

Always check pricing and see if the service is free, paid monthly, billed yearly, or tied to some kind of annual fee. You'll also want to check fees associated with top-ups, foreign transactions, and individual cards.

Card Type

Next, always check the card type, as some providers issue virtual credit cards, some virtual debit cards, and some gift cards. Remember that a debit or prepaid setup may not be accepted everywhere a normal credit card works.

Spend Controls

Always look for virtual cards that provide you with the ability to pause cards, set limits, close cards, and create cards for small accounts.

Funding Source

Pay attention to the funding source as well. Some services connect to your bank account, some use a debit card number, some pull from an existing line of credit, some are credit cards that draw on a balance you load and do not require a line of credit, and some require funding by loading through a wallet or other means first.

Apps and Extensions

Browser extensions make checkout much more convenient, while a single app with a digital wallet can help with Google Pay, Apple Pay, and other mobile purchases.

Refund Handling

Before making purchases, always check if refunds return to your original card, wallet balance, or service account.

Country Availability

Some virtual card providers are US-only, whereas others support users around the world. Those that may support more users around the world may also have stricter identity checks during the verification process. For instance, Halocard supports customers in the US and 120+ countries and just requires a basic identity verification check. Halocard doesn't store your ID documents, which are held by its verification provider as banking laws require.

How to Choose a Masked Card Service

Masked Card Services Compared

Provider	Best For	Pricing	Card Types	Country Availability
Halocard	Most people: US and international users who want a masked Visa credit card	Essential: $12/mo or $144/year for 3 virtual cards. Pro: $15/mo or $180/year for 12 virtual cards. Elite: $75/mo or $900/year for 60 virtual cards.	US-issued Visa credit card	US + 120+ countries
Privacy.com	US shoppers who want merchant locks and limits	Personal: $0/mo for up to 12 new cards/month. Plus: $5/mo, billed annually at $60, for up to 24 new cards/month. Pro: $10/mo, billed annually at $120, for up to 36 new cards/month. Premium: $25/mo, billed annually at $300, for up to 60 new cards/month. Personal and Plus include a 3% foreign transaction fee, minimum $0.50.	Virtual debit cards linked to a funding source	US users
Revolut	Existing Revolut users who want app-based cards	Virtual cards are free to create on supported plans, including Standard. Revolut says users can hold up to 20 active virtual cards and create up to 5 new virtual cards every 30 days, not including single-use cards. Paid plan pricing varies by country.	Virtual debit card and single-use cards	Varies by market
Capital One virtual cards	Capital One cardholders	No separate monthly fee for eligible Capital One cardholders. Access depends on having an eligible Capital One credit card account.	Virtual numbers for eligible credit card accounts	Eligible Capital One customers
Citi Virtual Account Numbers	Citi cardholders	No separate fee on select Citi credit cards. Since August 24, 2025, each number takes a daily spending limit from fixed tiers, and numbers created before then no longer work.	Virtual account numbers tied to eligible Citi credit cards	Eligible Citi customers
IronVest	Privacy suite users who want masked identity tools	IronVest masked cards have historically cost $2 per card for cards under $100, or 1.5% of the card value for cards above $100. Current packaging should be verified at signup because Blur and IronVest plans have changed.	Masked cards	Primarily US-focused

The Main Masked Card Services in 2026

Here are the top masked card services in 2026.

Halocard Virtual Cards for Online Payments

Halocard is the best masked card service for most people, in the US and abroad. It's a US-issued Visa credit card for subscriptions, US platform access, and safe online transactions. It's made for people who need credit card details that work across more US merchants than many local prepaid options.

Pricing starts at $12/month or $144/year for the Essential plan, which includes 3 virtual cards. Pro is $15/month or $180/year for 12 virtual cards, while Elite is $75/month or $900/year for 60 virtual cards.

The biggest feature of Halocard is that it's a Visa credit card with broad acceptance, a separate card for each merchant, and no bank account to link. You can fund it with Apple Pay or Google Pay, and add every card to Apple Pay and Google Pay to pay in store. Customers outside the US don't need a US SSN either. That said, it's not totally free, but it does make sense if acceptance, privacy, accessibility, and control are worth paying for.

Privacy.com Privacy Card With Spending Limits

Privacy.com is a great option for US users who want a simple privacy card for safe online shopping. It allows users to create merchant-locked or single-use cards, add spending limits, or closed cards quickly if something looks off.

Pricing starts with a free personal plan, which includes up to 12 cards per month. There are paid plans which raise the card limit and add features such as notes, card sharing, and higher monthly card creation.

The standout feature is that it has strong control for repeat purchases and subscriptions. However, the downside is that it's not readily available, as privacy.com is only available for US users, so international shoppers will likely not be able to sign up.

Revolut Virtual Debit Card and Digital Wallet Use

Revolut is an ideal choice for those who already use Revolut and want virtual debit cards inside a single app. It allows you to use virtual cards for online purchases, and in some markets, add cards to a digital wallet for mobile payments.

The biggest standout feature here is convenience, as you can manage cards, balances, controls, and purchases all in the same app. The downside here is availability, card limits, plan pricing, and that features vary by market.

Capital One Virtual Card Number Masking

Capital One virtual cards are an ideal choice for eligible Capital One credit card customers who want to mask their actual credit card details when shopping online. You create virtual numbers linked to your Capital One account in the Capital One app or on its website, or through Google Pay autofill in Chrome. The Eno browser extension that used to generate them was discontinued on September 30, 2026. The virtual number hides the underlying card number from the merchant, but Capital One still receives the transaction details.

The best feature here is that it works inside your existing card relationship, so your charges still appear on your normal account. Capital One also operates Capital One Ad Solutions, which uses its shopping and cardholder-offer channels to help brands reach audiences and measure campaigns. In practical terms, a virtual number masks your card number from a merchant but does not keep that purchase separate from Capital One's transaction and shopping-data ecosystem. The downside is that you already need to be eligible for a Capital One card. Keep in mind, this is not a standalone masked card service.

Citi Virtual Account Numbers for Citi Credit Cards

Citi gives holders of select Citi credit cards virtual account numbers tied to their accounts, at no extra cost. Citi rebuilt the feature on August 24, 2025: numbers created on or before August 23, 2025 stopped working, and new ones take a daily spending limit from fixed tiers and an expiration date set by Citi. The downside is that you need an eligible Citi card, so this is not a standalone masked card service either. Our guide to the Citi virtual credit card covers which cards have it, what changed, and the best alternatives.

IronVest Masked Card Number for Privacy

IronVest is best for people who are privacy focused. It helps mask details, emails, and more, which matters when you need broad privacy tools and secure storage for personal data. If its masked cards are what you need, see our IronVest alternatives.

The biggest benefit here is of course that it features an all-in-one privacy approach. However, the drawback is that the masked card features are generally tied to paid plans and feel less direct than a dedicated virtual card app.

Which Masked Card Service Is Right for You?

If you're looking for US platform access from abroad, strong acceptance and availability, and great privacy features, Halocard is the best option for most people. However, if your main goal is simply managing subscriptions, Privacy.com is a fine option (see why Louis Rossmann dropped Privacy.com before you decide). If you only need a free way to mask your card number from merchants, Capital One or Revolut can work well, but neither creates a standalone payment account separate from the issuer or bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Masked Credit Card?

A masked credit card is a virtual card number that replaces your real card number when you pay online. The merchant only sees the masked number, so if the merchant is breached or keeps charging you, you can freeze or close that one card without replacing your real card.

What Is the Best Masked Credit Card Service?

Halocard is the best masked credit card service for most people. It's a US-issued Visa credit card, for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with a separate card for each merchant and no bank account to link. Privacy.com is a free alternative for US residents who link a bank account, and Capital One virtual cards work if you already hold an eligible Capital One credit card.

Are Virtual Cards With Spending Limits Safe Against Credit Card Fraud?

Yes, virtual cards may help reduce credit card fraud as they hide your real payment details from merchants. That said, you still need strong passwords, alerts, and good shopping habits.

Are Masked Card Services Free for Online Shopping?

Some masked card services may be free, but not all. For example, Privacy.com does have a free tier, with Capital One and Citi not charging a separate fee for virtual numbers on eligible credit cards. Other options involve paid plans. Halocard has no free plan, but Essential is free with 3 referrals: you earn $5 to $25 a month for every friend you refer, for up to 12 months.

What Is "Masked Card Services" on My Debit Card Statement?

Masked card services on a debit card statement generally means that a payment was routed through a privacy or virtual card provider. If a customer doesn't recognize it, they should check their account history immediately.

Do Masked Cards Work for Subscriptions, Online Payments, Apple Pay and a Digital Wallet?

Yes, masked cards generally work for online payments and subscriptions. Generally speaking, merchant-locked cards are the best fit because the same merchant can charge the card again. Some providers may also support Apple Pay or other digital wallets, while some are mainly for browser checkout. Halocard cards can be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay, and you can fund your Halocard account with them too.

Can Merchants See My Real Credit Card Number or Card Number?

No, merchants generally cannot see your real credit card number, but rather only sees the masked card number. They may still see your shipping address, billing details, and name, but your payment details should be protected.

Sources

Privacy. Privacy.com Virtual Cards – Secure, Temporary Cards
Revolut. Banking & Beyond | Revolut United Kingdom
Capital One. Virtual Cards | Capital One
Capital One. Eno browser extension | Capital One
Citi. Citibank Online
Citi. Virtual Account Numbers, Citi Card Benefits (archived July 7, 2025)
Doctor of Credit. Citi Virtual Account Number (VAN) Changes (updated August 24, 2025)
IronVest. IronVest Privacy
Yahoo Finance. How To Use A 'Fake' Credit Card To Protect Yourself From Hackers
PCMag. How to Protect Yourself Online With Disposable Credit Card Numbers | PCMag
Cardratings. Are masked credit cards the future of fraud protection?
Reddit. Credit Card 'masking' Service... : r/msp

*Please see Halocard's Terms of Service or Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information. This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Halocard LLC or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.