How to Generate a Card Number Through PayPal

Shopping online can be risky. Before you know it, a site you thought was safe is being featured on the news because of a security breach. Was your credit card number one of those that was stolen? If you're lucky, the company will be truthful and send you a letter. If not, all you can do is sit and wait. It doesn't have to be this way, though. You can actually use your PayPal account to generate a card number for each site you do business with. Best of all, you can do it through the PayPal site, which means you don't have to download any software.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Visit the "Profile" section of your PayPal account. Here you will find a link for the PayPal plug-in. The PayPal plug-in is what allows you to generate a virtual card number for various sites. If you don't already have a PayPal account, sign up for one.

2. Go to the PayPal plug-in section of the site. At the PayPal plug-in section of the site, you will see a menu that lists the different actions you can make through the website. These actions aren't as detailed as the PayPal plug-in software, but the online version still allows you to generate a card number.

3. Click the "Secure Cards" link. You will see a box that lists cards that have been generated and two buttons that read "Close Card" and "Generate New Card". You will also see a drop-down menu that displays active and closed cards.

4. Select the "Generate New Card" button. This will begin the process.

5. Choose the card type. If you're shopping at a site you've never shopped at before, you may want to generate a single-use card. This ensures that the card number cannot be used again should the information be stolen. On the other hand, a multiple-use card would be perfect for sites that you shop at frequently. Once you select the card type, PayPal will generate a card number along with the expiration date and security code.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use PayPal to generate a card number for any site that accepts credit cards.

• A PayPal-generated card number keeps real credit card numbers secure.

• Multiple-use cards can be closed at any time.

• Never use multiple-use cards with companies you aren't sure of.

• Remember to close cards that are no longer being used.

References

• PayPal