The credit card was a huge change in the way we handled money. Cash and cheques were the main methods we used to pay bills. But once the bits of plastic became available, our lives changed significantly. We could shop locally, nationally and internationally. We didnt need cash. We could use the cards as a debit or as a credit card and for many, life got a whole lot easier. But then in the IT world nothing seems to stand long for more than a day.

With computers becoming widespread we have now moved to using tablets and mobile phones as portable computers. With this development has come the use of apps or applications for these mobile devices. Everyone is creating new apps today and some apps are directly relevant to our humble credit [or debit] cards.

But virtual credit cards [which at first were virtual debit cards] have been around for several years. They stem from the massive increase in online shopping and from people who are reluctant to put their card details on any sort of web site. Will the card numbers be accessed and stolen?

So virtual cards were offered and ironically, to apply for one, you had to put your personal details online. But leaving that contradiction aside, virtual cards have become very popular especially for travellers. People are afraid theyll lose or have their wallet stolen with their credit card and may suffer a huge financial loss. So the virtual card means you get your banking numbers without the piece of plastic.

From no card to no wallet

Now you can obtain a virtual wallet - there is even an app called the Google Wallet - and inside said wallet are stored your virtual credit cards. The app is on your phone and you shop using the app on your phone. You access your card or cards and make a payment. You dont have to tell the trader your credit card details. The app allows you to have your funds from a debit card transferred to the vendor or have your credit charged with the amount. No pieces of plastic in your wallet and, well theres no wallet either.

Now security, which is a real concern for many people, is obviously treated seriously by the banks and financial institutions. All your critical data is stored online in a secure situation. You can access your virtual cards via the app but if you wish to cancel a lost or stolen phone with the virtual wallet app thereon, cancelling is a relatively easy procedure. Remember there are no physical cards to be stolen.

Will the real thing, pieces of plastic, disappear forever? Its difficult to say forever but there is certainly a growing tendency to move to a paperless office and more recently to a virtual wallet as well.