HIDE YOUR PAYMENT CARD DETAILS
Use a disposable payment card
Entering your debit or credit card details when you pay for something online is an unavoidable security risk, and it’s no longer enough to assume that an ‘https’ and padlock symbol in your address bar mean your data can’t be stolen. It’s a particular hazard on lesser-known online stores, unless you use a third-party service such as Paypal ( https://paypal. com) to avoid directly sharing your financial information.
Another option is to mask your real card details and identity by using a virtual ‘burner’ card to make purchases online. Sadly, the best services for this purpose, Privacy ( https://privacy.com) and Abine Blur ( www.abine.com), are currently limited to US residents, and UK banks and credit card companies offer virtual cards only to business users.
However, if you’re prepared to open a second payment account that safeguards you against online fraud, you can sign up with the UK company Revolut ( www. revolut.com). This provides you with both a permanent virtual card (if that’s not a contradiction in terms) and a disposable one for online shopping. Enter the details from your disposable card when you buy something from the web, and as soon as the transaction is complete, they’ll be deleted and renewed, ready for your next secure purchase. Revolut is a mobile app rather than a ‘proper’ bank, so you sign up using your phone and start by adding at least £10 to your account. But it’s easy to use, its Standard plan is free and it offers cashback from dozens of retailers.
Sign up for free trials with a virtual card
You may be tempted to use a fake debit or credit card number when signing up for a free trial of an online service so you’re not charged if you forget to cancel, but this is technically fraud - and the number probably won’t work anyway. An online tool and IOS app called Donotpay ( https://donotpay.com) solves the problem with a feature called Free Trial Credit Card ( www.snipca.com/40355), which gives you a virtual card for the express purpose of registering for free trials. The card has a number and expiry date that online services will deem valid, but isn’t linked to your main payment account. Donotpay keeps track of any trials you sign up for and cancels your
subscriptions before the service tries to charge you - unless you decide to stick with it, in which case you’ll need to provide your real payment details.
The catch is that Donotpay costs $36 (£27) for a three-month subscription - and ironically there’s no free trial. However, this does include other useful features, such as helping you appeal parking tickets and claim refunds for unfair bank fees.