Online Prepaid Card: Fast, Secure Payments

 

Our virtual prepaid card is a simple, straightforward way to pay for your online shopping. One of the benefits of applying for a virtual card from Streamflow is that it does not take up space in your wallet or purse. Nor can you lose it. You can use one to buy almost anything from websites that accept Mastercard payments. It is a versatile product for fast, secure online payments.
UK consumers are spending more online than ever according to data from the Office for National Statistics. And with the global events of 2020 driving online sales further, almost a third of us expect to permanently change the way we shop moving forward.
With a Mastercard or Visa online prepaid card, we are providing a solution that reflects our changing habits. But we also believe in keeping you safe online. That is why a Streamflow virtual card is designed to protect your privacy and security – while still being a fast, convenient method of payment.

 

What is a virtual prepaid card?

In practice, virtual payment cards are much like conventional cards. But there are two fundamental differences. First, you do not receive a physical plastic card. It exists entirely online – ‘virtually’. Your virtual card is not linked to a credit facility or a bank account, but a secure online STREAMFLOW account that you can access 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

Otherwise, a virtual card payment programme offers all the hallmarks of a regular debit facility. It comes with a unique 16-digit number, expiry date and a Card Verification Value (CVV) number. This is all the information you will need to pay for products and services online from millions of different websites. Our UK prepaid cards also work for purchases on international sites that accept Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards

How to use a virtual card?

Once we approve your application for an online prepaid card, we will send it directly to your email. It is ready to use straightaway once you activate it and ‘pre-load’ cash onto it. You can add funds through several different methods and control how much you make available on it. This immediate availability explains why you may see one referred to as an ‘instant prepaid virtual card’.

As a preloaded card, you cannot spend more than the amount you choose. As such, it is not possible to go into debt. But this does mean you can shop online without the need for a debit or credit card linked to a bank account. It provides greater protection and control over your spending.

If you spend the amount you have loaded onto your virtual prepaid card, simply top it back up. You can do this using a number of easy methods – including by logging on to your secure online STREAMFLOW account or at any Post Office.

Why should I get an online prepaid card?

There are lots of great reasons why it can make sense for you to get a UK virtual prepaid card. With our specialist consumer cards, our aim is to help make your life easier. Speed, security and ease-of-use are key features of our virtual prepaid card – and this is how one can work for you:

  • Using a virtual prepaid card for online shopping is ideal for security-conscious shoppers who value extra peace of mind. It cannot be lost or stolen, and it cannot be linked to a bank account or credit facility.

  • For shoppers on a budget, an online prepaid card is an effective way of managing spending. You cannot spend more than the amount loaded onto a card – so it will not be possible to spend more than you can (or want to) afford.

  • Our virtual prepaid card can also be used by corporate customers to offer incentives or rewards to their own customers.

What can you use a virtual prepaid card for?

Our virtual prepaid card is a versatile payment method. You can use it to buy products or services from any website or e-commerce platform that is set up to accept Visa or Mastercard payments. This includes many of the leading internet retailers and auction sites. It is also possible to use a virtual prepaid card to make online bill payments if your funds allow.

As it is a virtual card, you cannot use it for cash withdrawals as you have no card to insert into an ATM. You can, however, use it for contactless payments if set up appropriately through your smartphone – there may be additional costs to factor in if you do want to use your virtual payment card with a contactless device, so it is worth exploring this fully beforehand.

What are the benefits of our virtual prepaid card?

  • No credit check needed: If you apply for an online prepaid Mastercard, we do not run a credit check. This means your chances of being accepted are much higher.

  • Secure purchases: A virtual card is not linked to a bank account or credit facility. It means you can shop online with extra peace of mind

  • Global acceptance: Use your virtual prepaid cards to shop online at any retail website that accepts either Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards.

  • Great foreign exchange rates: Our international prepaid card is a multi-currency solution that lets you buy products or services in a number of currencies with none of the expensive conversion fees.

  • Simple and convenient: Once approved, we will send your instant virtual prepaid card direct to your email. They are available 24/7 and ready to use right away with your secure online account.