Virtual credit card & mobile payment: Apple Pay and Google Pay

What is a virtual credit card?

A virtual credit card is just a card number without a physical plastic card. It's created instantly in the provider's app and can be used right away for online purchases or for mobile payments with your smartphone.

Many cards today are available virtually right after application, while the plastic card arrives later by post. Some providers also offer single-use cards for especially secure online shopping.

How Apple Pay and Google Pay work

When paying by mobile, your real card number is not transmitted. Instead the smartphone generates an encrypted device number (token) and a one-time code for each payment. The merchant never sees your real card details.

You pay by holding the smartphone or smartwatch near the terminal — authorised via Face ID, fingerprint or a code.

Set up your card in 4 steps

Setup takes only a few minutes:

• Open the wallet app (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet)
• Add a card and scan or enter the card details
• Confirm your identity via SMS code or in the banking app
• Done — pay contactless with your smartphone from now on

How secure is mobile payment?

Mobile payment is considered safer than the plastic card: thanks to tokenisation no real card data is transmitted, every payment requires biometric authorisation, and if you lose your smartphone the stored card can be blocked remotely. Still, use a screen lock and enable your device's find-my feature.