ORLANDO, Fla. – Love to shop online, but dread putting your credit card information out there? Now you don't have to!
Thanks to new technology, shoppers can keep credit card number a secret.
[WEB EXTRAS: Ways to shop in secret: Citi's program | Bank of America | BLUR Masked Cards | Blur in one minute ]
By using "virtual" credit card numbers provided free of charge by her bank, shoppers can use a temporary number and protect their real number.
The temporary numbers are linked to your actual credit card account, but when you go to pay, you just enter the temporary digits in the check out box and complete your purchase.
Your real card is charged, but your real number never appears online.
"The temporary numbers limit fraud, pure and simple," said
While some programs let you set the amount of time a virtual card number is valid, but remember it can't be used multiple times or over an extended period of time.
Major banks like Citi and Bank of America offer temporary credit card numbers.
And now there's an app called Blur, which lets you shop online without revealing your real card number.
All banks have zero liability policies if criminals ring up fraudulent purchases on your card
"One of the most effective ways to reduce fraud is really just to pay close attention to your statements making sure that there are any unauthorized transactions and if there are you refute those transactions quickly and efficiently," said Doug Johnson of the American Bankers Association.
Bank of America and Citi say returning items purchased with a temporary credit card number works the same way you'd return something you bought with your actual credit card.
It doesn't matter if the temporary card has expired the return can still be credited to your actual account, but always keep your receipt and purchase information for proof.