Bank of America Discontinues ‘ShopSafe’ Virtual Credit Card Numbers

Bank of America just sent out an email indicating that, effective September 20, 2019, they are ending the ‘ShopSafe’ program which offers the ability to generate virtual credit card numbers for online use.

We’re committed to providing you the most up-to-date security. As new technology has become available, we have made the decision to retire our online ShopSafe® service on September 20. You may need to update credit card information stored with online merchants.

What is changing?

We remain committed to providing the highest level of security when you transact online with your Bank of America® credit or debit card, and we’re always looking for ways to improve your digital banking experience. On September 20, we are discontinuing our online ShopSafe® service. After this date, you will no longer be able to use this service to create new ShopSafe virtual credit card numbers or make purchases online with saved ShopSafe virtual credit card numbers.

Why the change?

Technology has come a long way since we launched ShopSafe. We believe the wide range of security alerts and best-in-class fraud tools we use today, combined with the availability of digital wallets, provide our customers with an enhanced level of protection and a better user experience.

What do I need to do?

Consider using a digital wallet. Bank of America supports a number of digital wallets that enable you to securely shop online without having to share your credit card account number with merchants. More information on digital wallets.

If you have ShopSafe card numbers saved with online merchants or linked to recurring bill payments, please update with your current credit or debit card information prior to September 20.

I find the move surprising with the increased customer awareness of security issues. I guess only a small client share used the service and they found it cumbersome to maintain.

The only other major banks who continue to offer the virtual account number service are Citi and Capital One, see List of Banks Offering Virtual Account Numbers for more information.

Hat tip to readers R. and J.

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gaypalmsprings
gaypalmsprings (@guest_862431)
December 28, 2019 12:16

I wish bofa.com offered two factor authentication. They are behind the eight ball.

A Vik
A Vik (@guest_838346)
November 8, 2019 02:21

Is there a list of Citi cards that can be used to produce VANs?

DonL
DonL (@guest_818609)
October 4, 2019 14:22

I was a Bank of America customer for a long time. Why?, because I liked SafeShop. Now I had to find something else. Capital One Eno works through the Chrome and other browsers. I am using it now. I don’t think BA cares what my opinion is. Now, I don’t care what theirs is.

New Citi Customer
New Citi Customer (@guest_814332)
September 24, 2019 20:45

Bye BofA; just switched to Citi.

Wyatt
Wyatt (@guest_832865)
October 30, 2019 14:57

Good luck. Citi just discontinued them on our account.

Ladyhawk
Ladyhawk (@guest_809792)
September 13, 2019 14:44

I almost wonder. . . .

What would happen if, at least for a while, all of us BoA CC Shopsafe users (and we are what, thousands, tens of thousands?) right after Sept. 20th used the card once for a purchase they want, then reported the card lost. BoA has to cancel the number and reissue a new card/number and mail it out. Then we did it again, and again and again. . .

I would hate the extra plastic it would add to the world unnecessarily. (though isn’t 90% of it unnecessary?) This kind of blowback could cost them quite a bit and possibly be a fair punishment.

EasternTraveler
EasternTraveler (@guest_812254)
September 19, 2019 21:28

Great idea!

Bob
Bob (@guest_807250)
September 7, 2019 11:47

I am really surprised that Bank of America did not reprogram Shop Safe to use another platform other than Flash. It seems to me that the application would not be that difficult to program and it provides protection for them as well as their customers. I used Shop Safe for every online transaction because of the single use feature and the dollar limit feature. Digital wallets do not provide the same level of protection. Even though Shop Safe was clunky to use I put up with it for the protection it provided. I usually took multiple attempts to acquire a virtual credit card number. I am not sure how to proceed with online purchases at this point. I guess I will just have to enter my actual credit card number on Amazon and limit my purchases to just Amazon and possibly Walmart.

Fannie Toner
Fannie Toner (@guest_807240)
September 7, 2019 11:13

I cannot tell you how angry and betrayed I feel at receiving this information. This was an excellent service, and you have completely abanoned it without concern for the welfare of your account holders. Apparently, first advice on this was received by some people in April, but I did not know of it until receiving this email. I now have only a few scant days to decide how to take care of the payments I have which extend out for a year.

Austin
Austin (@guest_807028)
September 6, 2019 18:05

Like others here; my MBNA account was acquired by BofA and I kept them solely because of ShopSafe (which they acquired with MBNA), and the occasional place that doesn’t accept my other card. Other problems with BofA: password length cannot be more than 20 characters (Why!?) and password cannot contain a ! (Why!?). Such a shame how many customers BofA will lose because of this decision.

Pete
Pete (@guest_806881)
September 6, 2019 12:57

Problems with capital one virtual number: browser plugin needed… and can’t create a number if not on a checkout page .. no way to set limits. In fact, I haven’t been able to specify which card to create the virtual number for. So not a great replacement.

Problems with Citi: also uses Flash.. how long will they keep it around? I’ve had instances where the number simply wasn’t accepted, bot BofA virtual number was. This was probably not a MC/VISA issue.. BofA Shopsafe also had a recurring charge limit feature which Citi doesn’t.

lisa
lisa (@guest_806817)
September 6, 2019 10:43

I’m really disappointed to hear this, I opened a BOA card just for Shopsafe! Someone mentioned discover does something similar, but I have been reading it was discontinued awhile ago. Which discover cards have something similar to Shopsafe? Also, the CITI double cash back had it, but I’m not seeing it listed as a benefit on the site (it used to be). They talk about having a digital wallet. Any folks know if it’s part of the digital wallet or if it’s still offered and they just don’t mention it?

XP1
XP1 (@guest_809887)
September 13, 2019 18:39

All Citi cards have VCC.

EasternTraveler
EasternTraveler (@guest_812253)
September 19, 2019 21:25

No they do not! Only some do.

A Vik
A Vik (@guest_838345)
November 8, 2019 02:20

Before I got a Citi card recently, I asked if I’d be able to use VAN and Citi confirmed.

Received the card about 2 weeks later and found that VAN isn’t a feature of that card.