Privacy.Com

Privacy.Com allows you to create virtual VISA debit cards, that are linked to your bank account. Once you have a Privacy.Com account and have validated your bank account; anytime you want to make an on-line purchase you can create a virtual VISA debit card number to be used for that purchase.

There are two types of Privacy.Com virtual cards. The first is a "Merchant Card". This type of card is linked to a single merchant. If you are making several purchases from a single merchant (i.e. Amazon) over a period of time you create a merchant card that can only be used with that merchant. If the merchant gets hacked or somehow your card number gets compromised, it can’t be used at any other merchant. The second type of Privacy.Com virtual card is a "Burner Card". The burner card is valid for one transaction and then is automatically deactivated. Burner cards are useful for single transactions with a merchant, or where you may want to sign up for a service or subscription without having to worry about automatic renewals. One a Privacy.Com burner card has been used once, it can never be used again, so if the number gets compromised you are at no risk of unauthorized charges.

Another advantage of using Privacy.Com is that your debit card purchases are no longer associated with specific merchants in your bank records. Every purchase made through Privacy.Com can be reflected as Privacy.Com on your bank statement - By default, charges will show up on your bank statement as "the merchant + Privacy". You may turn on "Private Payments" in your Account page to change what shows up on your bank statement to just "Privacy.Com" (or to one of the following: H&H Hardware, Smileys Corner Store, or NSA Gift Shop). I recommend using the Private Payments option.

While Privacy.Com must validate your identity as part of establishing your account; they do not require that you use your real name and address when you make a purchase with a merchant. This is particularly useful when purchasing on-line services such as a VPN or a digital download, but can be used for any product you want delivered under a pseudonym or alias.

I think of Privacy.Com as a VPN for my debit card. It is a service that sits between my bank and the merchants that I shop with on-line. Privacy.Com gives me a layer of privacy, and helps me protect my account if my virtual debit card number is compromised in a merchant data breach.

Of course, like a VPN, I am trusting Privacy.Com to protect my information as they process debit card transaction for me. Privacy is part of the business model of Privacy.Com, and so far, I have seen nothing that would cause me not to trust them to protect the privacy of my financial transactions.
 
Every time you spend using Privacy.Com, the merchant or website pays a fee (called interchange) to Visa and the issuing bank. This fee is shared with Privacy.Com. You as the purchaser never have to pay an extra fee to use Privacy.Com. This interchange is something that is included with every debit (and credit) card transaction, regardless of what company processes it.

If you want to add some privacy to your financial transactions, and protect yourself in case of a merchant data breach, consider Privacy.Com (https://privacy.com).