Virtual Debit Cards

Recently, I mislaid by debit card and due to weekend, and I cancelled it - it took 5 days to get a replacement.

Problem is I do not live near a bank, and cannot easily draw cash without a debit card.

Also, I could not order food from supermarkets without a debit card (major uk supermarkets do not accept paypal).

Also Google pay would not work either.

So for a few days I was up a creek without a paddle.

So I decided to apply for a visa virtual debit card which work on a pay and go basis (like mobile phones) where you top up card with dosh, and then you can use it to pay on line like any debit card. I also paid £2.50 for a physical card I can use in ATMs.

This worked a charm, and then I thought about it - I can leave my main debit card at home, top up the pay and go account from my bank and use the pay and go card whilst out.

Why would I do that?

Well, if my physical pay and go debit card get stolen, the thief can only steal as much as is credited on the pay and go card.

I have linked my google pay to same card as well for same reason.

It only takes a minute or two to top up card.

There are limits on cash withdrawal (2 free ones up to £200 each in a month), thereafter modest £0.50p per withdrawal in a month.
Withdrawals over £200 get pricey at 1.75% though.

Having said that I rarely draw that much cash in a month - about the only place I use cash is in bars or local shops and most take google pay these days.

My main debit card will now rarely leave home and much less risk of getting stolen or lost.

I find it much easier to pay with my watch or phone than mess around with cards or cash.

I tried paying with my watch. It didn't work...

z3r010 said:

I find it much easier to pay with my watch or phone than mess around with cards or cash.

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Yeah but problem is google pay, amazon etc still have to be connected to an active debit card to use them. My issue was I was without an active debit card for a few days.

cereberus said:

Yeah but problem is google pay, amazon etc still have to be connected to an active debit card to use them. My issue was I was without an active debit card for a few days.

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Yeah, but you can't lose your card if you don't use it and keep it in a safe place at home.

z3r010 said:

Yeah, but you can't lose your card if you don't use it and keep it in a safe place at home.

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That was my whole point.

I now have a second card that is effectively "disposable" with limited damage potential whilst my main debit card is kept in a safe place at home.