Stay Safe Online With Digital Cards

Paying for everyday purchases is easier than ever. With digital wallets, you can skip the card swipe and tap your phone instead. Whether you’re grabbing coffee, shopping online or checking out in your favorite app, mobile payments are fast, secure and convenient.

Digital wallets work with compatible devices and allow you to store your debit and credit cards safely. Each transaction uses a unique, one-time code, so your actual card information is never shared with stores or vendors — helping protect your identity while keeping checkout simple.

What’s a digital card, anyway?

Think of a digital card as a clever disguise for your real card. It lets you use a unique card number for each transaction, so your actual credit card number stays hidden. You can generate as many virtual numbers as you need — without affecting your credit score or your relationship with your card issuer.

Depending on your provider, you might get a new number for every purchase or one virtual card to use across multiple merchants. Some even let you refresh the number whenever you want. While this adds a layer of security, it’s still important to keep an eye on your account and report anything suspicious.

How to get one

Getting a digital credit card is usually quick and free. Here’s a general idea of how it works:

Log into your credit card account.
Head to your account settings and look for options like “virtual card numbers” or “digital credit card.”
Download the app if needed. It makes managing your virtual card super easy.
Accept your new digital card number.
Set how long it’s valid — some cards are for one-time use, others let you choose an expiration date.
Grab the security code so you can use it just like a regular card for online purchases.

Each provider might do things a little differently, but the goal is the same: make online shopping safer and simpler.

A few things to keep in mind

Digital credit cards are designed for online use, not for in-store payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Here are a few other tips:

Returns can be tricky if you bought something online and want to return it in-store — you won’t have the physical card to swipe.
Short expiration dates might not work well for subscriptions unless you’re okay updating your info regularly.
Not all banks offer them yet, but more are jumping on board.
Setup might take a few minutes, but many users say it’s totally worth it.

The biggest perk? If a virtual card number gets exposed in a breach, you don’t have to cancel your main credit card—just that one virtual number. Easy fix!

Ready to tap into convenience?

Make your next purchase smoother and safer by adding your Horizon cards to your digital wallet. It’s quick to set up and even easier to use. Visit Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Wallet for step-by-step instructions — and start paying with confidence.