I came across privacy.com, a service that generates virtual credit cards, like aliases for your real credit card that can be paused or discarded at any moment.
My own credit card company has this feature. But it requires a browser plugin that so obviously is there to track my spending habits, so I’ve not wanted to consider it. Privacy.com looks like a great alternative.
But is it even worth it? It may be a hastle, but I can also cancel my actual credit card at any moment and they will send me a new number immediately and a card a few days later. From a privacy prospective, how much can a company use my credit card credentials to track me? Maybe a third-party virtual card provider even masks my own purchases so not even my credit card company knows? Not sure about that one.
Please share if you use one, who its with, and if its worth it.
I mostly use privacy.com for trials that I don’t want to have to worry about cancelling later. It’s also handy that privacy.com cards will allow you to put whatever you want as your billing address (for example, purchasing digital goods and setting your location to one that doesn’t have sales tax).
Will this get me trouble?
I use Privacy and no, why would it? You’re allowed to purchase goods and services with legal tender. You aren’t legally obligated to give any of them your personal information.
Using it for trials? No. Using it to skirt taxes? Doubtful, but possible. If you stiff the state $6 on an x-box game, noones going to notice. Short them a couple thousand and they might.