In today’s fast-paced world, having quick and easy access to online payment options is essential. If you’re in Uganda and frequently shop online, you might think that you need a physical bank ATM card to make payments through PayPal. However, there’s an easier and more flexible solution—using a virtual card.
My Experience: A Quick Solution to an Urgent Problem
Recently, I found myself in a situation where I needed to make an online purchase quickly. I had spotted a pair of sneakers I wanted to buy, and the offer on these sneakers was expiring in just two hours. Time was ticking, and I was ready to make the purchase, but there was one problem: my DFCU Bank ATM card had expired. Without a valid card, I was stuck, unable to proceed with the payment. Renewing the card wasn’t an option either, as it would take days, and by then, the offer would have long expired.
That’s when I realized there was an alternative I hadn’t considered before—virtual cards. A friend recommended the Eversend virtual card as a quick and reliable solution. He mentioned that with an Eversend virtual card, I could make online payments just like I would with a physical card, but without the need to wait for a bank to issue or renew a card.
Getting an Eversend Virtual Card: Fast and Simple
Excited about this new possibility, I immediately went to the Eversend website and downloaded their app. The process of getting a virtual card was surprisingly quick and straightforward:
- Installation and Verification: After installing the Eversend app, I signed up for an account. The app required me to verify my identity, which involved submitting some personal details and a photo ID. The verification process was smooth and only took a few minutes.
- Creating the Virtual Card: Once my account was verified, I was ready to generate a virtual card. The app guided me through the process, and within 10 minutes, I had my very own virtual card. Unlike the physical ATM cards issued by banks, this card wasn’t tangible. Instead, the app provided me with all the necessary details I needed to make online payments: the card number, expiry date, and CVV (the three-digit security code).
Linking the Virtual Eversend Card to PayPal
Armed with my new Eversend virtual card, I logged into my PayPal account. Linking the card was a breeze:
- Adding the Card to PayPal: I went to the “Wallet” section in PayPal and selected the option to link a new card. I then entered the virtual card details provided by Eversend—the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Incase you don’t know know how to create a paypal account in Uganda, click on the link
- Verification: PayPal made a small charge to verify the card. I quickly found the verification code in my Eversend app under transaction history and entered it into PayPal. The card was successfully linked.
- Making the Payment: With the virtual card now linked to my PayPal account, I went back to the online store and completed the purchase. It was seamless, and within minutes, I had paid for the sneakers through PayPal using my virtual card.
The Convenience of Virtual Cards
What I found particularly cool was the convenience and speed of using a virtual card instead of a real bank ATM card. There was no need to wait for a physical card to be issued or renewed, no trips to the bank, and no worries about the card expiring at a critical moment. The entire process, from setting up the virtual card to completing my purchase, took less than 20 minutes.
Why You Should Consider Using a Virtual Card
Using a virtual card offers several benefits, especially if you frequently shop online or need a quick payment solution:
- Speed: You can generate a virtual card almost instantly, making it ideal for situations where you need to make a payment quickly.
- Security: Virtual cards can be more secure than physical cards because they don’t have a tangible form that can be lost or stolen.
- Flexibility: You can link your virtual card to multiple online platforms like PayPal, making it easier to manage your online transactions.
