Posted by: leita

Problem:

There's a tasty widget for sale at a site that does not take PayPal.

Answer:

PayPal's Virtual Debit Card

How to Buy Online With a PayPal Virtual Card

Paypal offers members a free virtual debit card (VDC) that deducts purchases from your balance up to $150 per day but it's not easy to find unless you know where to look.

"Now you can shop anywhere on the web with your PayPal balance! Use your balance to buy a DVDs at Half.com or flowers at FTD.com."

At first glance, it appears this can be used only at PayPal-approved sites. Not true. It also works at any site accepting credit cards with a few requirements:

1. Must have a Domestic PayPal account
2. Are Verified (have added and confirmed a bank account)
3. Have added a credit card whose monthly statement is sent to a physical street address (not a P.O. Box)
4. Have a positive balance in the PayPal account
5. Have a PayPal account in good standing

To access the VDC, log into PayPal, scroll to the bottom of the page and select the Shops link. At the right, there will be a link called "Shop Anywhere" that does not appear unless you are logged in.

Note: - If the above does not work, try checking this link.

Disable any popup blockers or add PayPal to the Allow list. Enter in the site you want to purchase from in the url box and click Go. A new browser window will appear at the bottom with a virtual Mastercard number and expiration date. Copy and paste the numbers into the shopping cart.

The only hitch is there is no three-digit security number that is sometimes needed when purchasing online. I have used this feature for several years, it's safer than giving a stranger a regular credit card as it will only allow purchases up to $150 and if abused will only debit a PayPal balance, not an entire bank account or credit card spending limit.