Virtual Credit Card Numbers at Bank of America, Citi & Discover

Be careful not to use a virtual account number when there is a chance you may be required to show the card when picking up merchandise or services.

For example, many theaters and other venues want to see the credit card when picking up tickets at the will-call window.  Stores want to see the card when you order merchandise to pick up in-store.  Some airlines want to see the card when you check-in, particularly for international flights.

And if you order on-line but later want to return merchandise to a store (for example, you order at taget.com but want to return to a local Target store), the store will want to see a physical card to process the return.

All three banks listed in this article I have a credit card account.  But I have never used a virtual number.  I think I have come across it on their websites, but I don't bother with it.  So far, the last bogus credit card transaction was made by Yahoo! merchant services (I don't have such an account) and it was quickly reversed after I notified Yahoo!.  That account did not offer a virtual number option.