sbi_visa_debit_card_review

Yes! you read it right! SBI finally Launched Virtual Card for every branch and city for all account holders having Internet Banking.

SBI Virtual card is actually a Limit Debit Card (load first and then use). This card is an one time card as most of the virtual cards are and can be created via Internet Banking.

We know that this is a virtual card so, can’t be used physically for anything. This is for just internet usage. However, don’t get too excited.

After some use and digging, I concluded that is actually not what people were waiting for. Let’s see some details, pros and cons of this highly searched and awaited virtual card against other virtual cards.

PROS: (or shall I say FEATURES?)

1. Secure for online payments as you will never expose your original card or internet banking info at any site.
2. Can be of any denomination ranging from Rs. 100 to Rs. 50,000.
3. This card have CVV or CVV2 along with VISA and expiry dates as required by VISA standards.
4. You will be able to see full detail of transactions and other things like CVV in your account by clicking the card number.
5. OTP (One time password) will govern the last step in transaction. Not like a real credit card where it is not necessary.
6.  If card is blocked (due to 3 times wrong OTP) etc; it can’t be unblocked. All leftover funds are transferred back to your account.
7. 48 hrs is expiry time. Any left over balance is transferred back. Here balance return is pros.
8. One time usage: All leftover balance is transferred back in case of transaction where spending amount is less than card amount.
9. You can cancel any of the selected card at any time.
10. You will earn interest  on the amount as same in your account.
11. At time of writing, SBI declared that there will not be any issuance fee or annual fee.
12. Multiple cards can be created.

CONS:

1. Biggest shock comes here: It is not valid for international currency and international transactions. Sounded like a joke to me. However, SBI said they have not thought to make it international for now. So hold tight, there may be light.
Right now it is only usable in India, Nepal and Bhutan. Huh…
2. 48 Hrs. Really? I want to have a virtual card like my Entropay. 1 Year validity.
3. One time use makes this card much worse than other international competitors.
3. Non-reloadable i.e. you can’t Top up and reuse the same card. God! Why I am even writing this  article???  Entropay and Neteller rocks here.
4.  It is not like other virtual credit cards and I am getting a hunch that transactions will be declined at sites where only Credit Cards are accepted. SBI said they are also thinking on that. So, crossed-fingers.
5. OTP. Yeah, yeah… Security feature. Still a headache as I know how many times my transactions fails when I don’t receive OTP on my mobile from SBI.
6. Cards can’t be used as Gift Card or other Virtual Credit Cards (gifted) as OTP makes it impossible. And also, you have to tell the person that you have only 48 Hrs. Lol!
7. SBI didn’t declare what will be money back route or policy when transaction fails / abused or cancelled. Merchant generally credit money back to same card when it fails or get cancelled. Here that card will be non-existent.

HOW TO CREATE:

1. Login to your SBI internet banking.
2. Go to “Requests” tab present above.
3. Clik  on “State Bank Virtual Card” option present at left hand side.
4. Select “Generate Virtual Card”
5. Enter your amount and then select an account which will be used to create this card.
6. You will receive an OTP when you click OK. Enter it.
7. If all went ok then you shall see new card with Card image, Number, Expiry date, CVV or CVV2 code.

HOW TO CANCEL:

1. Login to your SBI internet banking.
2. Go to “Requests” tab present above.
3. Clik  on “State Bank Virtual Card” option present at left hand side. And then Click “Cancel Virtual Card” tab.
4. Confirm your action. The card will be cancelled and leftover amount will be credited back.

In end… comments and queries are welcome.

By Mrinal Buddekar

Data Manager and a technology enthusiast! Mrinal Buddekar is Pune based blogger who loves building server, websites, technology, and affiliate blogging.

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