What is RBC Virtual Visa Debit?

RBC Virtual Visa Debit is a smart and safe way to pay for online, telephone and mail order purchases with the funds debiting directly from your RBC Royal Bank^® banking account⁽¹⁾ This payment solution is ideal for people who like to shop online but do not have/or do not want to use their credit card for those purchases.

Where can RBC Virtual Visa Debit be used?

RBC Virtual Visa Debit can be used for online purchases with any U.S and international⁽¹⁾ online retailers that accept Visa as a form of payment. RBC Virtual Visa Debit can also be used at participating Canadian online retailers that accept Visa Debit. In addition, your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number can be used to set-up recurring bill payments, telephone and mail order purchases as participating Canadian online retailers.

For a sample list of where you can shop online with Visa Debit, please visit Visa Debit Online Merchants

What is the difference between RBC Virtual Visa Debit and my RBC Royal Bank Client Card?

RBC Virtual Visa Debit and your Client Card both enable you to debit your banking account⁽³⁾ for purchases and payments.

Visa Debit is accepted at over 44,000 Canadian online merchants and more merchants are added each month. In addition, RBC Virtual Visa Debit can be used for online purchases from merchants outside of Canada⁽¹⁾ anywhere Visa is accepted.

Your Client Card uses the INTERAC payment network that is widely accepted as a form of payment in physical store locations (point-of-sale) transactions, at Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and online.

Does RBC Virtual Visa Debit replace my RBC Royal Bank Client Card?

No, your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number works to complement your Client Card by giving you another way to pay for your online purchases or bill payments by debiting the funds directly from your account⁽³⁾.

You still use your Client Card at the ATM, in RBC Royal Bank branches, or to make payments at point–of–sale terminals.

Am I able to choose to pay for online purchases by either RBC Virtual Visa Debit or INTERAC Online?

Yes! RBC offers both forms of payment choice if you would like to use your bank account to pay for online purchases. If both Visa Debit and INTERAC Online are made available as payment options, you can decide how you will pay.

When making a payment using RBC Virtual Visa Debit, you enter your card information as you would for payment by credit card. You will need to provide your 16-digit RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number, the expiry date, and the security code (CVV2) located on your Reference Card, if requested. The funds will be automatically debited from the account that you access when you select chequing for a point-of-sale purchase or at the ATM when you use your Client Card⁽³⁾

If you select INTERAC Online at checkout; you will need to provide your 16-digit Client Card number and your RBC Royal Bank Online Banking password. You will then be prompted to select the account you would like debited for the payment.

Is RBC Virtual Visa Debit a combination of a debit card and a credit card?

No. RBC Virtual Visa Debit allows you to pay for your online purchases directly from your banking account. This is the account that you access by selecting “Chequing” when you make a purchase with your RBC Royal Bank Client Card⁽³⁾.

Why is it called RBC Virtual Visa Debit?

The “Virtual” relates to the fact that your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number can only be used where a card is not required to be physically presented to the merchant for payment. These transactions are generally done online, by telephone or by mail order. For convenience, you will be issued a Reference Card that provides you with all the information you need to make a purchase:

• 16 digit Visa Debit Number
• Expiry Date
• CVV2 number

The Reference Card does not have a magnetic stripe, CHIP or PIN associated with it and cannot be used at point-of-sale merchant terminals or at ATMs.

Is RBC Virtual Visa Debit safe?

Yes. RBC Virtual Visa Debit offers you the security features that you have come to know from Visa. This includes Visa’s Zero Liability, Visa Secure service, address verification and the three-digit security code (CVV2) found on the Reference Card.

What are the eligibility requirements for an RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number?

Clients must be 14 years of age or older and have an active personal, Canadian dollar deposit account and an active RBC Royal Bank Client Card in order to receive a Virtual Visa Debit Number. RBC Virtual Visa Debit is not available to business clients.

How can I request a RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number? Is there an application form to fill out?

You can request an RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number by calling 1-800-769-2511, or sending a secure e-mail from your Message Centre in RBC Royal Bank Online Banking. You can also visit your local branch. You do not have to complete an application form.

What are the fees associated with RBC Virtual Visa Debit?

There is no annual fee charged for your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number or Reference Card. In addition, any purchases or recurring payments made with your Virtual Visa Debit Number will not count against the monthly debit transaction limits applicable to your personal deposit account⁽²⁾.

Which account is debited when I make a purchase using my RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number?

When making a payment using your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number, the funds will be debited from the account that you access by selecting “Chequing” when you make a payment or withdraw cash at an ATM using your RBC Royal Bank Client Card⁽³⁾.

Are there daily spending limits when using my RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number?

There are daily limits set for purchases and any recurring payments made using your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number.Your daily limits are indicated in the letter you receive with your reference card.

Can I use RBC Virtual Visa Debit for purchases other than online purchases?

Yes. Some telephone and mail order merchants also accept Visa Debit payments. It is best to confirm with the merchant directly before submitting your RBC Virtual Visa Debit information. The Reference Card cannot be used at point-of-sale terminals or at an ATM.

Can I use RBC Virtual Visa Debit to set up recurring payments?

Yes. If you would like to set up a recurring payment (or one‐time payment), instead of providing your banking account details by way of a void cheque, you simply need to provide your RBC Virtual Visa Debit number, expiry date and 3 digit security code to the merchant, This information is all available on your Reference Card. Before providing your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number, make sure the merchant accepts payments by Visa Debit.

What if I have a problem cancelling a recurring payment that I set up using my RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number?

We can assist you with resolving disputes you may have with merchants when cancelling recurring payments using your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number. When you cancel your recurring payment, please ensure that you receive written confirmation from the merchant that those payments have been cancelled.

If a payment does get debited from your account after you have received written confirmation from the merchant about the cancellation, please contact us at 1-800-769-2511 within 75 days of the debit from your account. We can dispute the charge with the merchant and assist you with recovering your funds.

Why don’t I have a PIN for my RBC Virtual Visa Debit Reference Card?

There’s no need for a PIN because you cannot use your Reference Card at an ATM or at a point-of-sale terminal. Your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number, the expiry date and the three-digit security code found on your Reference Card are all you need to make online payments.

My card has a Visa logo on it. Does this mean it’s a Visa credit card?

No. RBC Virtual Visa Debit, allows you to make online purchases and have the funds debit directly from your RBC Royal Bank banking account at the time of purchase,⁽³⁾ rather than being charged to a credit card account.

Can a RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number be joint with my spouse?

No. Your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number is issued to you personally. However, you may request that your single or joint account be linked to your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number⁽³⁾

Sometimes when I use my RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number for a purchase, there are multiple debits and credits posted to my account for a single purchase. Why is this?

When a purchase is made using RBC Virtual Visa Debit, the funds are immediately debited from your banking account⁽³⁾ using a two-stage processing method – authorization and settlement. At the time of purchase, the merchant will send an authorization for the initial purchase amount; this will be debited from your account right away. To finalize the payment, the merchant requests the final amount (the settlement) for the purchase. This typically happens 2-3 days following the authorization of the initial payment amount.

At times, merchants may need to adjust the initial purchase amount if any of the following occur:

• Not all goods are available
• Price of the goods change (due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, the price of commodities or the weight of grocery items)
• If you cancel one or more item from the original order

When this happens, there could be adjusting entries appearing on your account.

When I look at my account statement or transaction history online, how can I tell the difference between a new purchase and an adjustment to a previous one?

When Visa Debit adjustments appear on your account⁽³⁾ for a previous purchase, the entries will have the following things in common:

• The 4-digit number and merchant name will be the same as for the initial purchase
• You will see a credit or debit with the finalized (settlement) amount of your initial purchase

What happens if I receive only a partial shipment of my online purchase? Do I pay for the entire order at the same time?

Sometimes, due to stock availability, an online merchant may ship you items bought during one transaction at different times. For example, you might buy 2 items at the same online merchant – 1 item for $70 and the other for $90. The merchant will submit an authorization for your account⁽³⁾ for the total purchase amount of $160, which will be automatically debited from that account.

But based on the merchant’s stock, they may ship out the $70 item first and send a settlement record for this amount. When this happens, the initial $160 will be credited to your account, and the $70 charge will be debited. A few days later, when the second item is ready for shipment, the merchant will send a settlement record for $90.

This activity will show up as 4 different transactions in your account, and may look like this:

What happens if I cancel an online order?

If an order is cancelled or incomplete in any way, the merchant can process an “authorization reversal” within 72 hours of the cancelled order. This will reverse the initial Visa Debit purchase on your account⁽³⁾.

If the merchant is not able to process an authorization reversal, we will automatically “expire” the initial authorization if we do not receive a settlement within 5 business days of the transaction. The funds will be credited back to your account on the 6^th business day following authorization.

Can RBC Virtual Visa Debit be used for Hotel Reservations or at Car Rental Agencies?

Yes, you can use your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number to book hotels and car rentals online or over the phone if they accept Visa Debit within Canada or Visa if booked outside of Canada.⁽¹⁾

Before you use your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number for these transactions, however, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Remember, Visa Debit debits your account⁽³⁾ once the authorization occurs so you will see an immediate debit to your account. If you are just using your Visa Debit to “hold” a room or car and planning on using an alternate means of payment (for example, a credit card) at the time of check-in at the hotel or pick-up of the car, RBC Virtual Visa Debit may not be the best option for you.
• Hotels/car rentals can request approval for more than the actual amount of the purchase to cover any incidentals (long distance telephone, mini-bar, extra mileage etc), so please keep that in mind.
• If you decide to go ahead and use your Virtual Visa Debit for this purpose, simply tell the hotel or car rental agency that you would like to use the card to complete the payment , rather than giving cash or an alternative method of payment. That way you don’t run the risk of paying twice and having to wait 6 days to recover your funds.
• Prior to your booking, we recommend that you verify that the payment card used at the time of booking does not need to be swiped or inserted into a payment device at the time of check in at the hotel or pick-up of the rental car. If it does, please ensure you bring an alternative method of payment as your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Reference Card does not have a magnetic stripe or CHIP capabilities and cannot be used to make payments at point of sale terminals.

Can I use my Virtual Visa Debit Number for free trials on the internet?

Some online retailers offer their potential customers “Free Trials” of a product. Before enrolling in this service, please read the terms and conditions carefully. If you do decide to go ahead, please remember that RBC Virtual Visa Debit works differently than a credit card, which means that you will see a debit in your account⁽³⁾ for the Free Trial when the merchant authorizes the transaction. But they will not send in a settlement record, so the authorization will expire and your account will be credited in 6 business days following authorization.

My RBC Virtual Visa Debit purchase was declined. Why?

A Virtual Visa Debit transaction may be declined for the following reasons:

• Funds are not available in your account⁽³⁾.
• You may have exceeded the transaction limits. applicable to your account.
• You did not enter your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number (including the expiry date and security code (CVV)) correctly
• If the merchant is located in Canada, Visa Debit may not be accepted as a form of payment.
• If the merchant is located outside of Canada, Visa may not be accepted as form of payment.
• Your personal deposit account linked to your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number may be restricted
• Your RBC Virtual Visa Debit may be not activated. Please call 1-877-769-2515 to activate your Virtual Visa Debit Number.

Please contact us at 1-800-769-2511 for further information.

The merchant is asking for a CVV2/CVC2/CID/Security Code — Where do I find it?

You can find the CVV2 ( security code) on the back of your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Reference Card that was mailed to you.

I am trying to make a payment using my RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number but the merchant doesn’t have Visa Debit as a payment option. What should I do?

Is the merchant a Canadian retailer or are they located outside of Canada (U.S or International)?

1. If the merchant is located in the U.S or internationally,⁽¹⁾ you should select the “Visa” option. Enter your 16-digit Visa Debit Number, expiry date and CVV2 (security code) as requested
2. If the online merchant is located in Canada, make sure Visa Debit is accepted as a form of payment. For a listing of some of the major online retailers that accept Visa Debit, please visit Visa Debit Online Merchants Merchants for further information. If the merchant does accept Visa Debit but does not have it as a payment option, please select “Visa”. Enter your 16-digit Virtual Visa Debit Number, expiry date, and CVV2 (security code), as required.
3. If a Canadian online retailer does not accept Visa Debit, please use another form of payment for the purchase.

What is Visa Account Updater (VAU)?

VAU is a mandated service that allows participating merchants to request your updated Virtual Visa Debit Card information when there is a change to your card number and/or expiry date. Only merchants you have a recurring payment and card on file payment setup would be able to request your updated card information.

What is the default setting on my card for participation in the Visa Account Updater service?

All cards are automatically opted-in to the service.

What information is shared between RBC and Visa?

Only your new Visa card number and expiration date.

How can I opt out of this service?

Please call into the Advice Centre (1-800-Royal-11) and request that your card be opted out of the Visa Account Updater service.

If I opt out, will it get me out of my gym membership or other PAPs?

No, opting out of this service will not cancel your recurring payments. It will, however, not allow participating merchants the ability to request your new card information should your card become inactive during your contact. They will have to contact you to receive your new card number and expiry date.

Does the Visa Account Updater service apply to Virtual Visa Debit?

Yes, the Visa Account Updater service includes Virtual Visa Debit (VVD). If a VVD is used for recurring payments, and a new card number / expiry date is issued, the merchant (as long as they are enrolled in the updated service) will have the ability to send a request to Visa for the new card information. Should you wish to opt your Virtual Visa Debit out of this service, please call into the Advice Centre (1-800-Royal-11) and request that your card be opted out.

If a card is reported lost or stolen, will the new card number still be provided to enrolled merchants?

In these cases, any inquiring merchant will not be given updated card information as the two cards will not be linked.

1) When you use RBC Virtual Visa Debit for a transaction in a currency other than Canadian dollars, we will convert the transaction amount into Canadian dollars at an exchange rate that is 2.5% over a benchmark rate Royal Bank of Canada pays on the date of the conversion. If the merchant gives you a credit voucher or refund for a transaction in a foreign currency, the debit and the subsequent credit will not exactly balance because of exchange rate and currency fluctuations

2) Debit transactions made using your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number do not count against any monthly transaction limits applicable to your personal deposit account. Other account fees may apply. Please see the RBC Royal Bank Disclosures and Agreements related to Personal Deposit Accounts booklet or other applicable account agreement for further details.

3) When you use Virtual Visa Debit to make a payment: 1) the funds will be debited from your banking account. This is the account you access with your RBC Royal Bank Client Card when you select the “Chequing” option on a merchant payment terminal or at an automated teller machine. 2) The merchant performs an authorization on your account at the time of the purchase and the charge is immediately debited from that account. In some cases, merchants may need to adjust the authorization amount. Should this occur, a credit adjustment in the amount of the original authorization will be credited to your account, followed immediately by a debit adjustment that reflects the final transaction amount. Please refer to the RBC Royal Bank Virtual Visa Debit Agreement  for further details.