Category-Locked Cards are a unique type of virtual card that, unlike Merchant-Locked Cards and Single-Use Cards, are tied to a specific merchant category rather than one merchant. This means you can use a Category Card at multiple merchants that fall under the same predefined category. Category Cards are available to Plus ($5/month), Pro ($10/month), and Premium ($25/month) users.
How does a Category Card work?
Category Cards are designed to be locked to predefined merchant categories, each encompassing a variety of merchant types. For example, the “Health & Wellness” category includes pharmacies, physicians, dentists, spas, barber/beauty shops, and similar establishments.
When you create a Category Card, you choose from our list of predefined categories. Once selected, the card will be pre-locked to that category.
When you use your Category Card, our system checks whether the merchant falls within the selected category. If the merchant matches and the transaction falls within the additional card rules, the transaction will be approved. If the transaction exceeds your card's limits or does not fall within the selected category, it will be declined.
Why was my Category Card declined?
If you see a decline message that says “an unauthorized merchant charged your card” on your dashboard, that indicates that the merchant type isn’t included in the card’s predetermined category. We cannot bypass this restriction, but we continuously update our system based on user feedback.
How can I suggest a merchant for a specific category?
If you encounter an issue or have a suggestion for a merchant or category, please reach out to us at support@privacy.com or use the submission form linked below this article.
Can I switch categories on my Category Card?
Currently, once a Category Card is created, its category cannot be changed. If you need a card for a different category, you will need to create a new Category Card.