Anonymous credit card? We show you all the options!

It is hard to imagine public life today without credit cards. Whether for online shopping or booking a hotel – such a card is needed more and more often. Those who want to protect their personal data or are not considered creditworthy get into trouble. An anonymous credit card could be a solution. We show you how to get an anonymous credit card and what options it offers you!

Why use an anonymous credit card?

There are numerous reasons that speak for an anonymous credit card. In particular, people who attach particular importance to the protection of their personal data, as well as those who are not considered creditworthy by banks, see an asset in the anonymous card. With it, they can use all the services that a credit card requires without disclosing their financial situation. This is possible because all anonymous credit cards are prepaid. Since no credit is granted here and therefore there is no risk of default for the bank, there is no verification of the individual financial situation.

However, there are some disadvantages associated with such a credit card. For example, unlike other prepaid credit cards, the maximum amount that can be loaded is strictly limited. As a rule, no more than 100 euros can be loaded onto an anonymous prepaid card. This ultimately means that you can only use the card to a limited extent. Another disadvantage is that anonymous prepaid cards usually have significantly higher fees than regular credit cards. These include the purchase and reload fees. This quickly results in high additional costs that would not be incurred when using a regular credit card. Non-anonymous prepaid credit cards, which are offered by most banks today, are also more advantageous in this respect.

How do I obtain an anonymous credit card?

Anonymous credit cards are issued in both physical and digital forms. Digital credit cards can only be used online. Companies offering such digital credit cards include the likes of Bitsa, PCS or Transcash. Physical prepaid cards from a wide variety of companies can often be purchased at gas stations and occasionally in supermarkets.

These cards can be used completely anonymously at first. However, at the latest with the first recharge, which is due after consumption of the starting balance, a verification of one’s identity must take place. Exactly how this is regulated varies considerably from company to company. If the cards are used more frequently, they are only partially anonymous: the issuing company knows who owns the card. Unlike with ordinary credit cards, however, your financial situation remains unknown to the bank.

The anonymity of the cards is also impaired by the fact that you often have to enter your name and address when using them online. Only in stationary trade your identity remains unknown.

Prepaid credit cards as an alternative?

Since complete anonymity is not given even with credit cards advertised as anonymous, they have no tangible advantages over ordinary prepaid credit cards. In particular, the high fees already mentioned make them unattractive. If you are thinking about getting an anonymous credit card, you should read the terms of use carefully. In many cases, there are annual or usage fees. Activation or non-use fees are also not uncommon.

If you opt for a standard prepaid credit card instead, you can usually avoid additional fees. You don’t have to disclose your financial situation with these cards either, as they only work after a transfer or deposit of funds. They are issued by most banks. You can find offers at Commerzbank, all Savings banks, all VR banks or at Postbank. Not all cards are free of charge. A comparison is therefore worthwhile.